Title: Becoming a Filmmaker: Making it in London’s Film Scene

Author: Krish Pinto

Genre: Non-Fiction / Film

 

Becoming a Filmmaker: Making it in London’s Film Scene is for those starting out in the industry or looking to do so. Production Coordinator Krish Pinto offers straightforward advice, tips, and guidance on creating and pursuing opportunities, all accompanied by a hefty dose of realism.

He also covers Production and Cinematography, provides a broad overview of the film industry and how AI is shaping its trajectory, while sharing personal insights and experiences.

Originally from Bombay, Pinto moved to London to study at the MetFilm School and begin his career. He is still in his mid-twenties, so unlike the majority of books in this genre, Becoming a Filmmaker is not a dry exercise in retrospection, but rather it has a direct and authentic appeal.

Pinto’s compelling, rapid-fire Introduction launches the reader into what they can expect from his book. He is brutally frank, immediately emphasizing that the gritty reality of trying to make it in London’s film scene is incredibly complex, difficult, and demanding. Pinto makes no apology for serving up hard truths and puncturing through idealism, and his unflinching candor continues throughout.

Nonetheless, he recognizes with profound empathy the nature of the dream and the beauty of the craft. His passion for film is motivational, and his knowledge is inspirational. Although personal, he is never too familiar, nor does he overshare with superfluity. Anecdotes and reminiscences serve a purpose and have reader application.

The book begins in a slick, engaging style. It’s fast-paced and lively. Pinto bounces from memories of Bollywood to his early obsessions and essential influences that shaped his infatuation with film.

He throws out bold, reflective statements, rhetorical questions, and provides a quick, snappy plan for readers to discover which areas within filmmaking they are most interested in.

Pinto writes with a driving confidence and energy that is infectious. In places, words tumble elegantly over one another with erudite sophistication, and in others, sentences are whip-smart, short, and simple, darting about and brushed with colloquialism and Indian cultural references.

Pinto often takes the reader on a breakneck, stream-of-consciousness journey through his experiences. It’s absorbing, yet he always retains a clear-eyed focus on providing useful, practical information and helpful insider hacks that are a mix of the generic and specific.

Chapters Two and Four hone in on particular disciplines, Production, and Cinematography. He discusses the importance of networking and persistence, providing relevant examples and applicable wisdom, backed by statistics and experience, before becoming technical in Chapter Four.

It’s an impressive chapter, peppered with pragmatic, fundamental advice, and a nicely immersive level of subjectivity as Pinto shares his enthusiasm for all things camera-related. He details his mistakes and successes with honesty, offering valuable insights that are consolidated into actionable points and key takeaways.

Sandwiched between these two chapters is a thoroughly researched overview of employment trends. Although Pinto emphasizes the fierce competition, he presents the data with positivity, viewing the information from different angles and suggesting where an opening or chance might be found or created.

The book occasionally presents itself a little haphazardly. Chapters could be arranged with more refinement and structure. Chapter One, especially, would have benefited from reorganization. Further, the chapter order sometimes disrupts momentum. Chapter Five opens with a fascinating analysis of filmmaking history, but it feels misplaced. Notwithstanding, the AI discussion and interview section are perfectly positioned.

Written from a refreshingly current and sharply contemporary perspective, Becoming a Filmmaker: Making it in London’s Film Scene is a must-read for budding London-based filmmakers. Pinto has produced an essential go-to guide full of relatable recommendations, practical strategies, and insightful struggles.

 

 

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