"DV Filmmaking: From Start to Finish”, Ian David Aronson, O'Reilly, 2006. "DV Filmmaking: From Start to Finish" is a useful read for anyone who is a student of the process of digital filmmaking. The book really does cover the topic "from soup to nuts," starting with why you should consider digital video through selling and promoting your finished product. Current books about filmmaking and video production usually take an "either/or" approach.  They're either books about the tools and techniques or they explore the aesthetics and artistry of filmmaking.  Here's a book that tackles both critical needs:  understanding the tools you use and the creative process that makes digital filmmaking effective. One of the most useful features of this book is the way Aronson incorporates anecdotes and examples from recognizable films to demonstrate the techniques that are fundamental to good filmmaking.  He also combines those concepts with technical tips and techniques. Instead of simply providing step-by-step instructions for how to do certain things in Photoshop, Final Cut Pro or Adobe After Effects (which he does, in some cases), he also provides the context for WHY you would want to do these things and how some of them work (e.g., "What an Alpha Channel Does" in Chap. 11). Each chapter is chocked full of "sidebars" that delve deeper into the inner workings of digital video technology. The book also comes with a DVD that contains clips you can use to practice some of the techniques Aronson teaches in Photoshop, After Effects and Final Cut Pro. However, they're very basic examples of compositing, animating still images and adding titles and music to your sequence.  Nothing that you wouldn't already have available in the tutorials available with the software. For students of digital video production, this text surpasses others in its robust range and useful organization and illustration of topics.  For beginners and novices contemplating shooting a film on DV -- whether narrative or documentary, feature or short-- the book is a useful resource.  If you're a practicing professional don't expect to find tips and tricks that you don't already know, but the sidebars alone provide enough analysis of concepts and techniques that even the digital video veteran will find ways to become a better filmmaker. Reviewed by Glenn Cragwall Glenn Cragwall is Associate Professor of Communication Studies at Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, TN. He has taught audio and video production at the undergraduate level for the past 22 years in Texas and Tennessee. Additionally, he has served as director of media ministries at churches in New Mexico, Tennessee and Texas as well as producer/director of broadcast and cable programming. He received his B.S. in Radio/TV/Film & Recording Industry Management from Middle Tennessee State University and an M.A. in Communication from Southwestern Seminary. Glenn has been a member of DVPA since its inception in 1998 and has been a speaker/staffer at DVPA events.