Making Movies Make Sense is a highly engaging way to learn about film storytelling and filmmaking. Made for Apple Books, this 148-page interactive book works on iPad, Mac and iPhone. For ages 9 and up. Watch the video
“Beautifully put together and illustrated with great examples throughout – highly recommended.”
Dr John Potter, UCL Institute of Education
“Clear, simple and effective”
Alasdair Satchel, Media Education Journal
Highly interactive and easy to understand
The book uses 55 video clips, dozens of still images, and clear text to explain film storytelling and the filmmaking process. All the video clips can play full-screen.
Learners can tap or click to see tips, information and questions.
They can hear the sounds that make up a soundtrack…
…or see what happens when they add lights to a scene.
The book explains shot size, camera angle, composition, camera movements, lens and lighting. It shows how to film and edit sequences that make sense, and how to use sound in your movie. It takes learners step by step through the filmmaking process, from the initial idea to planning the movie, filming as a team, editing and sharing.
Includes practical activities
Over twenty pages of practical activities build planning, storytelling and filming skills and help learners understand camera position, shot size, sequences and sound.
Extras to download
There’s a download link where you can get free video clips to practise editing. You can also access templates to help with planning films.
About the author
Who it’s for
Making Movies Make Sense is designed for ages 9 and above. It’s also a useful introduction for educators who are new to teaching film. Learners can use it independently, or teachers can screen it to a class.
Buying Making Movies Make Sense
You can get Making Movies Make Sense from Apple Books.
It’s also available through Apple’s Volume Purchase Program for Education.
Samples and review copies
You can download a free sample from the Apple Books link below.
Reviewers and education influencers can request a free copy (please include information about your website or publication).
“Making Movies Make Sense is the complete resource for beginning to make films in school, in after school clubs, at home, anywhere… It benefits from great expertise in filmmaking, rendered easily accessible for teachers, children parents and carers. You learn that the moving image has systems for making meaning, its own grammar and structures which can be learnt in simple creative exercises. It benefits hugely from being scalable for any filmmaking equipment you have, from your phone through to the latest cameras. Beautifully put together and illustrated with great examples throughout – it’s highly recommended.”
Dr John Potter, Reader in Media Education, UCL Knowledge Lab, UCL Institute of Education