On Film-Making

By Alexander Mackendrick,

Book cover of On Film-Making: An Introduction to the Craft of the Director

Book description

An invaluable analysis of the director's art and craft, from one of the most revered of all film school directors. Alexander 'Sandy' Mackendrick directed classic Ealing comedies plus a Hollywood masterpiece, Sweet Smell of Success. But after retiring from film-making in 1969, he then spent nearly 25 years teaching his…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

1 author picked On Film-Making as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Another book focusing on the medium of film, but again the lessons to be learned about good storytelling are universal. Alexander ‘Sandy’ Mackendrick directed such classic Ealing comedies as The Man in the White Suit and The Ladykillers, also the Hollywood masterpiece, Sweet Smell of Success. After retiring from filmmaking in 1969, he spent nearly 25 years as a professor at CalArts in Los Angeles where he helped students to write better stories and communicate them effectively through the craft of filmmaking.

This book is compiled from Mackendrick's legacy of masterly handouts and lectures. One section I found…

Want books like On Film-Making?

Our community of 11,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like On Film-Making.

Browse books like On Film-Making

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in film, Aristotle, and Los Angeles?

Film 237 books
Aristotle 56 books
Los Angeles 360 books