This guide, intended as a manual for the beginning director, educational filmmaker, or film school student, provides instruction for attending to the progressive elements of cinematographic craft, from the initial idea to the screen. The guide examines the structure of the script, aspects of acting and working with actors, music and sound, camera angles, setups and moves, and editing techniques; while common myths about the cinematic field are dispelled. The book is organized in 4 parts. Part 1 includes an Introduction and chapters: (1) "The Director and the Screenplay"; and (2) "The Director and the Budget." Chapters in part 2 are: (3) "Motion Pictures: A Visual Art"; and (4) "The Fluid Camera." Part 3 presents (5) "The Director and Actors"; and (6) "Dialog". The last section discusses (7) "Postproduction"; (8) "Equipment"; and (9) "Special Effects." Suggested readings and an index conclude the book. (MM)