Cinematography Book Review

Cinematography: Image Making for Cinematographers, Directors, and Videographers
by Blain Brown

Well, I've made it all the way through. Will I remember everything the book talked about? Probably not even half. Which is a good thing. That means it is packed with useful information... too much to digest with one read through.

The book offers a nice balance of theoretical and technical information that can be applied directly to your zero budget project... or... gives you a good overview of things you are likely to run into if you somehow end up on a set with a larger budget.

The parts of the book that I found particularly useful are on light and color theory. Blain gives a decent amount of detail without completely turning off the non-technical reader. Also, Blain's coverage of blocking and dealing with the "line" is fairly comprehensive and worth the price of the book.

There does seem to be a bit of filler in the lighting section but some may find lists and definitions fun to read.

Overall, I recommend this book for anyone NOT going to film school.

Learning is fun?

Yes. When you are not supposed to be doing it. Kind of like sneaking into the boys/girls bathroom and hot-boxing a cig (or joint). Smoking is a stinky and disgusting process yet when you're not suppose to...

At work you like to surf the net for shit related to film making. Are you supposed to be doing that? Is that what you are getting paid for? Probably not. If you think about it, the fact that you are not "supposed to" makes it kind of fun.

You get the point.

Regardless, you are reading this blog to obtain knowledge and to explore someone else's perspective. Without further ado, I will supply some content and insight.

Book review time!

From Reel to Deal: Everything You Need to Create a Successful Independent Film - by Dov S-S Simens

If I had to recommend a "first book" to read before venturing into film making, this would be it. This guy really lays out the realities of the business in a novel "no B.S." style. At the end of each chapter he gives a huge list of resources related to what you have just read.

There is lots of useful stuff in this book. I am talking insight and experience not resource lists.

I highly recommend purchasing this book asap. Since we are doing things guerrilla style, buy the book used.

Over and out,
Mr. Down and Dirty
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