1st Edition

Shooting Movies Without Shooting Yourself in the Foot Becoming a Cinematographer

By Jack Anderson Copyright 2012
    368 Pages 75 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    366 Pages
    by Routledge

    Shooting Movies is the book for all those film enthusiasts who can't get on a professional set or can't undertake studies at an expensive film school. The book approaches the subject of cinematography from a "hands-on, in the trenches” viewpoint, as though the reader were an apprentice on the set. It's a book about learning to shoot a film without making an idiot of yourself and wasting lots of time and money. It's a book about how to take artistic inspiration and make it a reality.

    A breezy writing style mixed with practical, interactive exercises geared for both film and video give filmmakers the experience they need to take their work to the next level. Beginning with fundamental techniques and concepts of cinematography, the author shares his many years of experience with the reader, imparting invaluable advice and guidance on how to avoid common pitfalls, and more importantly, learn from mistakes.

    CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

    Part 1: REALITIES OF PRE-PRODUCTION
    CHAPTER 2 WHAT'S FIRST?      
    2a FIRST EXERCISE: SHOOTING STILLS?   
    2b WHAT YOU SHOULD LEARN FROM THE STILL PHOTOGRAPH EXERCISE       
    CHAPTER 3 WE'RE STILL READING THE SCRIPT   
    CHAPTER 4 A FEW MORE THINGS TO THINK OF   
    CHAPTER 5 SHOT LIST      
    CHAPTER 6 CREW       
    CHAPTER 7 LOCATIONS      
    CHAPTER 8 SELECTING A CAMERA     
    CHAPTER 9 SELECTING THE LENS     
    CHAPTER 10 SELECTING FILM STOCK     
    CHAPTER 11 SELECTING A TRIPOD AND HEAD   
    CHAPTER 12 WHAT EVERYONE ELSE IS DOING TO PREP  
    CHAPTER 13 THE NIGHT BEFORE    

    Part 2: PRODUCTION
    CHAPTER 14 ON TIME AND READY TO SHOOT 
    CHAPTER 15 FIRST DAY/ FIRST SHOT    
    CHAPTER 16 SHOOTING MASTERS     
    CHAPTER 17 CLOSE-UPS AND COVERAGE   
    17a SECOND EXERCISE: THE STANDARD SHOTS  
    17b WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE LEARNED FROM THE STANDARD SHOTS EXERCISE      
    CHAPTER 18 OPERATING THE CAMERA    
    18a THIRD EXERCISE: OPERATING SKILLS   
    18b WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE LEARNED FROM THE OPERATING EXERCISES       
    CHAPTER 19 STILL MORE COMPOSITION or FOLLOW THE MONEY
    19a FIRST MOVIE EXERCISE: VISUAL STORYTELLING EDITED IN THE CAMERA19b WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE LEARNED FROM THE EDITED-IN-THE-CAMERA EXERCISE    
    CHAPTER 20 THE HORROR OF THE 180º LINE  
    CHAPTER 21 THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY (Not necessarily in that order)
    CHAPTER 22 LEARNING THE HARDWARE    
    CHAPTER 23 WHY WE LIGHT      
    CHAPTER 24 EXPOSURE      
    24a LIGHTING EXERCISE # 1 EMULSION TEST 
    24b LIGHTING EXERCISE # 2 DIRECTION OF LIGHT
    24c LIGHTING EXERCISE # 3 QUALITY OF LIGHT
     HOW DOES LIGHT VARY IN QUALITY?   
    24d LIGHTING EXERCISE # 4 LIGHTING THE FACE, THE GREAT LANDSCAPE       
    CHAPTER 25 EXERCISE: SHOOTING YOUR PROJECT ON FILM 
    25a WHAT YOU SHOULD HAVE LEARNED FROM THE SHOOTING ON FILM EXERCISE       

    Part 3: POST-PRODUCTION
    CHAPTER 26 POST-PRODUCTION: TIMING AND TRANSFERRING
    CHAPTER 27 POST-PRODUCTION: PUTTING TOGETHER A REEL

    Part 4: TECHNICALITIES
    CHAPTER 28 CAMERAS: BLACK BOXES   
    CHAPTER 29 LENSES       
    Chapter 29a THE ZEN OF FOCUSING     
    Chapter 29b THE MAGIC OF FILTERS
    CHAPTER 30 FILM
    CHAPTER 31 COLOR TEMPERATURE
    CHAPTER 32 USING AND HANDLING FILM CAMERAS AND LENSES
    CHAPTER 33 USING A TRIPOD AND HEAD
    CHAPTER 34 THE DOLLY GRIP
    CHAPTER 35 LABORATORY

    Biography

    Jack Anderson

    "I think this is wonderful book for all of us” jack of all trades” filmmakers out there..In hindsight I am sure my foot wishes I had read this book before I shoot my first feature.”  -Dusan Sekulovic, Director

    "[It] tells the about the reality of filmmaking from a Cinematographer's perspective.his/her thoughts and the thoughts of those on the set, the challenges, and the intellect necessary for learning from mistakes and solving problems.” -Michael A Hofstein, Director of Photography

    "Finally-An Actual, Working Hollywood Director of Photography Shares his 'Inner-Door' Secrets of the Craft. This is a hard-hitting, no-holds-barred, fantastic 'Shooter's Guide' from a top professional in the Business. Call it-'The 'Hollywood Rules' for Up & Coming Directors-of-Photography'!!” -Dave A. Anselmi: Director, Producer, and Instructor, PracticalMysticProductions.com

    "Anderson is able to take some very complex concepts and meld them into a easily digestible dose of information that even a reader with little or no knowledge about the topic can easily understand and learn from." -Joey Goodsell, University of Southern Mississippi