In Attack of the Killer Video Book, Mark Shulman and Hazlitt Krog, two veteran American filmmaker/writers who specialize in young people’s film and video production, provide everything young people need to know to create their own masterpieces on video. Illustrated by artist Martha Newbigging’s cartoons, the book stands out for a number of reasons, particularly the authors’ ability to walk that fine line between making filmmaking seem “cool” to young readers while at the same time dispensing the kind of practical technical advice they need.

Shulman and Krog cover every imaginable aspect of moviemaking, including scriptwriting, choosing locations and
costumes, shooting, and editing footage. What’s more, they go beyond the technical details of production, providing excellent instructional material that teaches young readers how to brainstorm potential story ideas and how to promote their work and organize a premiere screening.

Readers will benefit by the outstanding organization of the text into step-by-step thematic chunks – including assembling a production team, instructions for directors, handling and operating a camera – while at the same time enjoying the high-energy prose and lively illustrations. Adults will value the book’s underlying can-do theme, which shows how young people can create something of lasting value on their own while learning important lessons about creativity, team-building and seeing a big project through to completion.