Motion Picture Directing: The Facts and Theories of the Newest Art

"Motion Picture Directing: The Facts and Theories of the Newest Art" by Peter Milne is an early 20th-century critique that examines the abilities and feelings required to be a great motion picture director. Milne uses his knowledge from inside the movie business to explain directing and the difficulties of making movies. The book starts by noting how important strong feelings are for directors to do well. Milne believes that while technical skill is important, the director's ability to relate and show real feelings is what makes the best stand far apart from the rest. He also points out that becoming a good director is more about understanding different parts of human life, so you can copy them on screen, and less about just learning rules. This sets a serious tone for the rest of the book, which promises to explore practical skills and the artistic understanding needed for directing movies.