"Basics Film-Making: Directing Fiction" introduces the essential aspects of the directorial process, focusing on the requirements of short films while also drawing on classic examples from the world of feature films. It looks at the balancing act of art and business, offering helpful guidelines and basic principles rather than instructions.

Divided into the three key stages of the film-making process; pre-production, production and post-production; the book provides students with a framework to begin directing their own productions. The chapters are interspersed with case studies investigating the working practices of leading professionals such as Robert Rodriguez and Mike Leigh. The title also includes an interview with Mark Herman, director of "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas," "Little Voice" and "Brassed Off." Other titles in the "Basics Film-Making" series include:  "Screenwriting, Producing" and "The Language of Film." 

"Basics Film-Making: Screenwriting" is the second in the "Basics Film-Making" series and is aimed at both students on film production courses, as well as those wishing to write a short film. The book teaches the key elements of screenwriting through examining areas such as dialogue, sound, setting, shots and structure. It also provides advice to new film-makers on how to market their productions. 

"Basics Film-Making: Screenwriting" provides both a practical approach to the discipline as well as a theoretical exploration, explaining why a knowledge of basic film theory is essential to inform and enrich the film-maker's writing.

"Basics Film-Making: Screenwriting" explores existing movies to illustrate key concepts and contains exercises designed to test and build on the reader's understanding of screenwriting. The text includes drafts of short screenplay written for the book; taking the reader through the complete process from formulating the initial draft to preparing film pitches. 

This is an essential guide to screenwriting and will teach the reader to write and produce artistically satisfying shorts. 

Other titles in the" Basics Film-Making" series include:  "Producing, Directing Fiction" and "The Language of Film."