GIRLS MAKE MOVIES

O’Meara, whose adult biography, The Lady From the Black Lagoon (2019), tackled misogyny in Hollywood, invites would-be filmmakers to learn more about the industry.

Ever wonder why the closing credits of a film are so long? It takes many people to make a movie. Divided into four sections—development, preproduction, production, and postproduction—this book centers women by exclusively using she/her as generic pronouns while describing the work of hypothetical people holding various jobs (screenwriter, editor, sound mixer, etc.) and by highlighting specific women in the industry (director Greta Gerwig, composer Angela Morley). The breadth of information is impressive and will offer readers a greater understanding of and appreciation for the work that goes into filmmaking as well as the skills required for each role. As readers follow the creation of a fictional film called Sasha Versus Zombies, they are prompted to make choices—an addition that allows young people to see the process in action but at times feels like an unnecessary gimmick. The interactive elements and the writing style skew young, yet the career-oriented angle and several references to mature-rated media feel better suited for teens, making the book’s intended audience feel unclear. Still, the material is solid; future filmmakers will find this a good starting point. Orange- and purple-hued illustrations depict diverse women.

Uneven in presentation yet will still appeal to, inform, and inspire those aspiring to a career in films.