Basics Film-Making: Directing Fiction introduces the essential aspects of the directorial process, focusing on the requirements of short films while also drawing on classic examples from the world of feature films. It looks at the balancing act of art and business, offering helpful guidelines and basic principles rather than instructions.

Divided into the three key stages of the film-making process; pre-production, production and post-production; the book provides students with a framework to begin directing their own productions.

The chapters are interspersed with case studies investigating the working practices of leading professionals such as Robert Rodriguez and Mike Leigh. The title also includes an interview with Mark Herman, director of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, Little Voice and Brassed Off.

Other titles in the Basics Film-Making series include: Screenwriting, Producing and The Language of Film.