Twilight: The Directors Notebook, The Story of How We Made the Movie Based on the Novel by Stephenie Meyer, By Catherine Hardwicke

By: Catherine Hardwicke

Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers

Publish Date: 2009

ISBN: 0316070521

Page #: 176 pages

Classification: Non-Fiction

Genre: Art/Film

Age Level: Older Teens

Series Titles: n/a 

(Tie-in to The Twilight Saga franchise in both film & book)

Subjects: Film, Art, Journaling, Twilight

Reader's Annotation: An inside look at the Twilight's film director Catherine Hardwicke's Director Journal. This is a rare inside look at not only the production of Twilight, but at the mind of a movie director. 

Synopsis: Twilight, the first film in the Twilight Saga's screen adaptation, hit the movie world with a slam. Grossing the most money to date for an opening director who is female, Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke opens up her visionary style to her fans. In The Director's Notebook Hardwicke shows illustrations, story boards, costume and set notes, & virtually everything that went through her head and into the film. Visually the small hardcover book is page to page beauty, but at the same time shows a rare side of film making that most fans don't know exists. With this little gem, Twilight fans and aspiring filmmakers can revel in the art of filmmaking at the young adult level. 

Notes: One does not have to have read the Twilight Saga to enjoy the Directors notebook. A fan of the film can enjoy this tie in art book as well as students interested in art and film.  

Extras: Author website http://www.catherinehardwicke.com/

INDIE GIRL: From Starting a Band to Launching a Fashion Company, Nine Ways to Turn Your Creative Talent In, By Arne Johnson & Karen Macklin

By: Arne Johnson & Karen Macklin
Publisher: Zest Books
Publish Date: 2008
ISBN: 0979017335
Page #: 136
Classification: Non-Fiction, Arts
Genre: Arts
Age Level: Teen, Older Teen
Series Title: n/a
Subjects: Performing Arts, Journaling, Art

Reader's Annotation: A "how-to" field guide for teen girls to all things creative.

Synopsis: From filmmaking to poetry, Indie Girl lays it all out for any girl who wants to express herself. It's simple without being too simple and lays the creative process out in a way that is within reach for teens at any age. Though its titled and directed to girls, this book doesn't exclude boys in that clearly some of the tips are completely general. I doubt very few boys are going to buy a book called "Indie Girl" but non-the-less, boys collaborating with creative girls will no doubt benefit from the artistic sage wisdom (complete with checklists and websites) that most adults find out only after spending twenty grand on film school or a hundred grad at the FIDM institute in Los Angeles. Please don't misunderstand me, this book in no way replaces a college education, but it could be argued that the best artists are the ones who take matters into their own hands: aka the: indie girl. At the very least Indie Girl may just be the antidote to getting through another day of bad classes and boring chores. 

Notes: The authors are both accomplished artists living in the Bay Area. Arne Johnson is a film journalist and filmmaker, Karen Macklin is a writer who hold a MFA from from San Francisco State, and Micheal Wertz (illustrator of Indie Girl) is a commercial artist.

Stars: 5

Extras: Publisher's Website  http://www.zestbooks.net

Arne Johnson's Documentary Girl's Rock http://www.girlsrockmovie.com/

Karen Macklin http://www.kmacklin.com/

Trailer for GIRLS ROCK: