For someone like myself when time is money, and it's hard to justify spending time on anything besides composing and rendering, or money on anything besides equipment ... this book made me happy that took a risk. Quick and dirty, mildly entertaining.

7 of 8 found the following review helpful:


This book was of no use to me  Dec 26, 2001
This book offers only the most basic information on the various processes and responsibilities of a motion picture art department. It doesn't focus in a significant way on anything, and at times gives what I think is poor advice.If you have absolutely no experience on a motion picture art department and no common sense, it may be of some use. It would be better however to take an art department PA aside and speak with them for twenty minutes about their experience. A much better and highly reccomended book for both inspiration and a more intimate understanding of the Art Department and the role it plays is "By Design" which is a collection of interviews with some accomplished Production Designers.

4 of 5 found the following review helpful:


Quick and dirty, mildly entertaining.  Jun 19, 2000 By Eric Fisk
Being the first to review this book is a dawnting task. Then again I thouhgt that getting through his book would be a daunting task when I purchased it here on line... but that wasn't the case. The biggest chore I had with this book was waiting for it to arrive!

It's a great little book, although at first I was disapointed with the size. I bought it to use give myself a crash course in Art Direction for my own Digital Motion Pictures. This short book was perfect: refreshed me in some area I knew a lot about, and introduced me to some conepts I was only slightly familure with and pointed out some weak areas that needs a lot of work. It sometimes reads like a glossary you find in the back of a textbook with a few spots of humor to keep the reader/me from falling asleep. What I liked the most were the few anecdotal stories (some from actual motion pictures, some from 'lets imagin' sencerios) that were used to make a point. Two nights in a row I was up until midnight reading this book and the time went by fast... It could have used a lot more detail and exsamples, getting deeper into the subject matter. If the author invests some time in writing an advanced edition; I'll be the first to order an copy.

For someone like myself when time is money, and it's hard to justify spending time on anything besides composing and rendering or money on ... this book make me happy that took a risk.