Directing 101 by Ernest Pintoff

This was the first book I ever read that focused entirely on filmmaking as a craft; as a series of tasks and skills that needed to be rehearsed and focused on. I think I must have been 14 or 15 when I received Directing 101 as a gift. Up until then (and in a more advanced way now) much of my filmmaking was about trial and error and having this book proved to be a great introduction to how ideas and creating could really be turned into a strategic process.

Directing 101 is written by Ernest Pintoff who taught at USC and UCLA and the real strength of the book is in its general and broad descriptions of all the things that a director needs to consider. 

From writing your screenplay to blocking a scene to speaking with your actors and the various roles of a film crew, as a teenager this was incredibly valuable as I hadn't even considered the value or distinction between the roles of a producer or cinematographer or director of photography.

When you're just starting out you're inclined to just point and shoot and hope that everything comes together in post. It was books like this that made me think more critically about what I was doing. There came a point for me where I knew that this was something I wanted to pursue as a career, and suddenly there was just so much to see and do. Despite how amateur my earliest projects were, I still look back and think about how ambitious I was trying to be.

As a precursor to going to film school, books like this were a huge motivation and it's why I wanted to write about it. Inside you won't find many things that you haven't heard or thought of before, but they will be explained in a more cohesive way that can really help those who are just getting into film and video. It's a good reference and step by step walk through of what it actually means to be a director. If you want to make more than just a point and shoot video, pick up one of the hundreds of books just like this to put that extra bit of effort into your creative process and to further challenge yourself with relevant lessons. 

I have my cousin Leslie to thank for this book. It's now one of many that I keep with my film texts as a reminder of my earliest attempts to make better and better movies. There's never a shortage of new things to learn.

Being Published

Yesterday I received an email from a publishing company in Singapore that had seen my blog and the posts I wrote following my trip to Singapore in April this year. They contacted me specifically about the short entry I wrote as an introduction to my Universal Studios Singapore video and asked if they could have permission to publish it in the second volume of their English Empowers Learner's textbook for Singapore schools (primary and secondary).

At first I was taken back and had to go check out the entry again. It's not even that long at only 350 words, but now I think it makes sense why they chose it. Obviously the fact that I'm talking about Singapore and the brand new theme park that just opened this year is the biggest feature, but also the way I'm talking about where we're going, what we're doing, and the fact that I used a lot of descriptive words and comparisons actually makes it fairly pertinent for someone learning the language - go figure!

In any case, I gave my permission for them to freely use the entry and will be credited for it. It's one of those little things that's worth it just for the story. I like the idea that kids in Singapore could be reading aloud about my afternoon spent at Universal Studios in one over 15,000 textbooks. I never would've imagined it.

Here is the original entry being published. My Universal Studios Singapore video is below.

Vanguard on Current

It's refreshing to find a news journalism program that isn't just fueled by flashy effects or hype. Instead, Vanguard on Current is a show that allows its correspondents to tell a story and get you interested in the bigger picture. In my opinion, they successfully balance informative commentary and entertainment without feeling the need to dumb-down the argument or take their subject matter too lightly.

Their guerrilla documentary style approach also makes it feel more personal. I love how the correspondents actually get involved with their subjects, whether traveling to unique locations or spending a day in their life, you feel like those involved have actually invested a lot in getting to understand why people are saying and/or doing the things they are.


Current TV has become an online staple for me in the last year with shows like Infomania, Rotten Tomatoes, and now Vanguard. In its 4th season already there is plenty of material and full seasons of episodes to watch online. For those interested in everything from the recession to pirates to robots and even a bus trip across America - Vanguard is worth checking out. I've posted a few of my favorite episodes below, for more click here.

Lost Vegas: Vanguard


The Great American Detour: Vanguard