General Video and Filmmaking Book Reviews

	*IF YOU MAKE FILMS or VIDEO, YOU GOT TO HAVE THIS BOOK* *American Cinematographers Manual -* this is the bible, the ultimate guide for those who call themselves professional movie makers. Whether you shoot film or video, you need this. The 9th edition of the "ASC Film Manual." is THE authoritative source of technical information that is a widely used reference around the world. "Our purpose is to provide a single source of information that current and future cinematographers and other filmmakers can rely on," says ASC President Steven Poster. " ASC published its first film manual in 1930 (then called "The Cinematographic Annual"). This is the first new edition since 1993. It contains updated and new information about the art and craft of cinematography that was written and reviewed by the world's leading experts." There are 40 chapters and more than 100 tables and charts in the 929-page manual. Each chapter is authored by a renowned expert on the subject. The latest edition features new chapters covering such topics as high-definition telecine mastering and digital film post-production. Topics include: -Comparisons of film formats -Advice on choosing lenses and filters -Techniques for emulsion testing -Detailed description of lab procedures -Information about lighting -Camera stabilization and movement -Front projection -Motion control and other visual effects techniques -Computer graphics -Aerial and underwater cinematography -How to expose film in infrared and ultra-violet light -Digital film mastering
	If you are thinking of getting into film special effects or are just curious about how it is done, "Steve Wright's "Compositing Visual Effects - Essentials for the Aspiring Artist" is a great book for someone just starting out in this space. It's well illustrated with hundreds of film shots, figures, illustrations and diagrams to help the visual reader gain a valuable vocabulary and understanding of the full range of visual effects, in which digital compositing plays a key role. It covers CGI, bluescreen and greenscreen, motion tracking, rotoscoping, etc - al the essentials and basis of modern day film and video special effects. more * An accessible introduction to a complex subject for novice compositors * Full color presentation illustrating the art and techniques of the practice
	This new book, by Steve Hullfish, "Art and Technique of Digital Color Correction", provides direct access to the skills, insights and techniques of some of the postproduction industry's most prominent digital video colorists, delivering practical skills to the postproduction pro seeking to improve their color grading craft. The author interviews and observes 8 professional colorists as they grade a series of real world video images, describing the methods and techniques each artist uses to reach their finalized image. These video images are included on a DVD that allows you to work lockstep with each artist as they grade their images. read the review
	Motion Picture and Video Lighting, Second Edition, is your indispensable guide to film and video lighting. Written by the author of the industry bible Cinematography, this book explores technical, aesthetic, and practical aspects of lighting for film and video. It will show you not only how to light, but why. Written by a professional in the field, this comprehensive book explores light and color theory; equipment; and techniques to make every scene look its best. more
	From the editors of Videomaker Magazine comes this new edition that you have been waiting for. The Videomaker Guide Digital Video, fourth edition, provides information on all of the latest cutting edge tools and techniques necessary to help you shoot and edit video like the pro's. Learn about equipment, lighting, editing, audio, high definition, and all aspects of video from the leading experts on videography! * Now packed with high definition articles! * Learn how to use your skills for vidcasting (video podcasts) * Advice from the experts with quick solutions for video production Some of these articles are a bit outdated and long in the tooth, while others spotlight new techniques and gear of interest to Internet Videomakers
	Title Design Essentials for Film and Video No more bad titles or credits. This book teaches and shows you how to create great looking titles that pop out of the screen and actually work. Whether you are designing for film, for TV, for DVDs, this is a great book for inspiration and guidance when it comes down to adding the graphics and info that are required for every professional looking production. Read the Press Release. It covers how to do animated and moving titles, how to cut titles to music and audio, and all the other techniques a pro editor needs to know.
	The Insiders Guide to Independent Film Distribution by Stacey Parks - If you want to make it in the indie film world, this is a great book to help you get started. Its not about how to make movies - its about how to make money making movies. The book combines real world practical knowledge, case studies and legal guidance as well as a through breakdown of how to prepare your film for distribution before you even start shooting, as well as how to get both domestic and international distribution, as well as how to deal with the various types of distributors and characters you will find in the business. This is a great book for those new to the business as well as interesting refresher for those who already have a taste of the industry. more
	Video Shooter by Barry Braverman is a guide to both the mechanics of the video camera and the craft of shooting. The book takes the reader beyond "button pushing" to teach the complete range of skills required to capture compelling images. Topics include equipment selection, camera setup and operation, shooting techniques, and working with lighting and audio. Although the techniques illustrated in Video Shooter are appropriate for users of a wide range of camera models, the book focuses on the most popular 3-CCD DV and HDV cameras. A chapter on issues and techniques relating to DVD output makes the book especially suitable for industrial, educational, and government video producers. The book also features a companion DVD with tutorials, footage demonstrating storytelling techniques, and technical matter such as a comparison of various filters.
	This is a nice little guide and intro to how to use blue screen and green screen to create video composites and layering. Targeted to beginners to intermediate users, "Bluescreen Compositing" will introduce you to the techniques of special effects compositing with clear explanations of the mechanics of the technology and the craft of creating a visual that "works" convincingly. Learn how the different types of keying techniques work and get a practical understanding of the processes for: * Motion and non-motion compositing solutions * Setting up a chroma key studio * Lighting techniques * Costuming and art design for color-based compositing * Reconciling different video color sample schemes * Creating background plates and mattes * Fixing it in post * Live keying with a production switcher (SEG) Detailed tutorials demonstrate the techniques for using each of the major software keyers. Software applications profiled include After Effects and Apple's Shake and other software that operate on Windows or Max OSX.
	How Video Works - from analog to high definition. If you are new to video or are interested in getting into the field, this is a comprehensive textbook guide to the technology, products and general concepts. The new version includes: * Complete explanation of the new ATSC digital and HDTV video and audio standards * New sections on optical media and fiber optics, updated MPEG material * In-depth coverage of the new Broadband and cell phone standards * Extensive explanation of new digital test signals and measurements * A hands-on approach to learning about video recording, transmission, and playback. * Complete glossary of terms covering both analog and digital video
	In Title Design Essentials for Film and Video, industry expert and best-selling author Mary Plummer shares her savvy and speaks to a diverse audience including seasoned video editors, indie filmmakers, and even > dedicated amateurs. Plummer takes almost two decades of personal film and video editing experience and teaches her audience how to create professional titles for projects, no matter what the genre, subject matter, or software tool. Her “elements of style” guide explains the essential design principles such as size, color, placement, and font choice. In addition, the book’s companion DVD offers QuickTime movies showing examples that can be constructed using After Effects, Motion, LiveType, Photoshop, or any professional video editing software.
	Portable Video: ENG and EFP, Fifth Edition focuses on the techniques and technology of single camera electronic news gathering and electronic field production. Covering everything from basic creative and technical editing techniques to budgets and copyright issues, it is accessible to the home video maker or amateur and to the professional seeking information on the newest advances in technique and equipment. * Includes special focus on TV news production and field production * Suitable for complete beginners If you are considering a career in the television industry or want to become a news producer, this textbook is great place to start. The Fifth edition of this venerable book covers all aspects of remote and portable video production, primarily from a broadcast industry perspective.
	*The Cinema 4D 10 Handbook* teaches how to harness this power and flexibility through a project-based approach that allows users to create impressive projects as they learn C4D's array of tools and functions. This is a completely updated edition of this popular guide to the ins-and-outs of C4D that provides new C4D users with a complete introduction to the powerful and affordable C4D program, while teaching the fundamental principles of 3D.
	Have you ever tried to watch a video with poor or distracting production values – clumsy camerawork, fuzzy focus, funky framing, lousy lighting, awful audio? It’s hard to pay attention to, let alone, understand the content. When you find yourself responsible for making a video without being in a position to hire professionals, you will want your videos to connect and communicate rather than annoy and aggravate. Some people prefer books for dummies or guides for idiots. For those who might appreciate learning video through video, however, consider this DVD, “How to Keep Your DO-IT-YOURSELF VIDEO From Looking Like You Did It Yourself.” more
	Do you want to know the down and dirty details of what it takes to get an indie film made? TALES FROM THE FRONTLINE OF INDIE FILMMAKING & OTHER ASSORTED TIPS FOR THE ASPIRING MOVIEMAKER, that has a bunch of articles and also stories of Peter John Ross's adventures as a filmmaker. From how he met his girlfriend through to how Horrors of War got started. It’s his E! TRUE NOT-HOLLYWOOD STORY “tell–all” book. self published, 212 page book for only $10 - http://www.lulu.com/content/426325 HORRORS OF WAR, a feature film - www.horrorsofwarmovie.com SONNYBOO PRODUCTIONS -- www.sonnyboo.com

Books and DVDs about Making Movies and Films -

Independent Film and Video Production and Distribution

Video & Filmmaking