Best DVD Choices for Budding Filmmakers

Watching movies with filmmaker commentary can be some of the cheapest and most informative film making courses that you're likely to run across while trying to learn how to direct a movie. Despite there being several ways to get your foot into the door of Hollywood, one surprising alternative to the attending the best film schools, relocating or working your way up has been made available to wannabe directors by the invention of the DVD.

Thanks to the ample storage size found on these discs, they not only give you the movie to watch, but a certain few give you excellent advice from directors, producers, actors, cinematographers, special effects people and more on what is actually involved when making a movie. So, before going out and spending a bunch of money to go to school, try watching a few of the DVDs below for some inspiration and knowledge. Whether you want to learn how to make a movie, how to produce a movie or any other part of the film making process, the choices below will give you a wealth of knowledge for a very low price.

Photo by Peace it Together / flickr.

Robert Rodriguez is one of those directors that takes great thought about what kinds of extras he puts on DVDs of his films. Coming from a low budget filmmaking background himself, he realizes the importance of putting in content that can actually teach aspiring directors the craft. This one will be especially useful to those who wonder how to take an existing comic book and turn it into a film.

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this low budget horror film, but I was knocked on my butt at how much I learned by listening to the commentary. Someone wanting to learn more about the business should never overlook smaller films that may not be as good as what seasoned directors produce. A lot of times, young filmmakers will really spill their guts about what they learned during the making of it, which makes for a great learning experience. This is a great example of how you can learn a lot from well made horror movies , even though they may not be a huge hit in theaters.

Directors: Arnold Glassman, Todd McCarthy and Stuart Samuels

Cinematographers travel through history showing the viewers only the best examples of DP work from some of the most influential films that have ever been made. Some people may not really want to watch this one, but I assure you, you will find yourself liking it and coming away with a deeper appreciation for the craft you are trying to learn. There's nothing wrong with being a well-rounded filmmaker.

Any aspiring director will come away from this documentary with a better understanding of just how important the director of photography is in any film, and if you think they aren't that important - you're wrong. They are just as important to the overall look of the film as the director is.

The indie filmmaker doesn't offer advice often, but when he does, wannabe directors listen.

Kill Bill Vol. 1 Movie Poster - 40 x 15 in.

Buy for $19.99

This is the film that kick started the career of Robert Rodriguez. It would later be redone and updated (by Rodriguez) into the blockbuster hit "Desperado" starring Antonio Banderas. Producers drooled after seeing it, even though it was made for only $7,000. The director shares all of his secrets with those that are smart enough to listen.

A rare behind-the-scenes documentary of the legendary film "Apocalypse Now" directed by Francis Ford Coppola. For those of you who don't know how close this film came to not being made, this DVD will be a real education on how perhaps the most important job of a director - to never give up.

This was a TV series that gave unknown filmmakers a chance to direct a real Hollywood film. Although the shows are edited, this series really shows you what you have to go through to get that first movie made - a real slap in the face to some.

David Fincher seems to be another one of those directors that takes what extras going on the DVD of his film very seriously. Fight Club is chock full of knowledge for any wannabe filmmaker who is willing to devote the time it will take to watch all of the extras.

Grindhouse Planet Terror Poster - 40 x 27 in.

Buy for $19.99

Directors: George Lucas, Irvin Kershner and Richard Marquand

If you want to learn how the Star Wars universe was made you need to ignore parts I-III and go back to the ones that Lucas really cared about - the first three made (IV-VI).

Even though Lucas was a part of all the commentaries, I found them to be quite informative and entertaining, but the real gem is in the bonus disc. The documentary is the must see for both fans and film students alike and really tells you what it takes to create a set of movies like this.

There was a lot of Tolkien fans that were extremely worried when they heard that these films were being made by Hollywood. They were worried that they would ruin the book to movie experience like they have with so many others - the concern was unnecessary. We forget that for every fail in adaptations from novels there is usually a success. It becomes very apparent that Jackson took the franchise seriously and took the DVDs equally as serious. This collection has become a measuring stick for me by which I measure all other DVD releases.

Clerks is one of those films that people either like or don't like. Even if you're one of those people that don't like the picture itself, you would be doing yourself a disservice if you don't at least look into how this film was made. This DVD shows you pretty much everything you need to know on how Kevin Smith got started in the moviemaking business and how this $27,000 piece of cinema helped him do that.

This film is a great example of how you can make a low budget film with a first time director if the director cares about the work. Of course, the movie is based upon Barker's novella "The Hellbound Heart," and he wanted to prove to the world that a solid horror movie could be made without spending a lot of money. In that goal, he succeeded without a doubt. This one may not be the first choice a lot of future directors would choose, but it really struck a chord with me once I started doing research on it.

Feel free to add to this list or vote on your favorites.

If you know of a great film that I've not thought of with loads of special features that can help us young filmmakers get better, then why not let everyone know what it is?