OT: A Must Have Book For Film/Video Newbies

Nathan_Shane wrote on 6/20/2004, 12:08 PM

This post is for those fellow tech-heads who might be completely new to this whole video scene. I'd been searching high and low for a good reference book that explains much more of the "techniques and technologies" used in regards to film, video, audio, equipment, lighting, film-to-video tranfers, etc.

I've finally found an excellent book (inexpensive too - $20.00) that balances the technical aspects with the aesthetic demands of video/film making.

It's called:

"The Filmaker's Handbook" (A Comprehensive Guide for The Digital Age)
by Steven Ascher & Edwards Pincus.

Now you could certainly find a lot of the books information by searching the web (if you know what to search for), but having a good beginning resource book helps as well. This book really does cover the foundations of film and video. The information is far more than just novice and has plenty of diagrams, pictures, etc.

Comments

p@mast3rs wrote on 6/21/2004, 8:39 AM

Personally, I enjoyed the $30 Film school book. Lots of good information for newbies.

Chanimal wrote on 6/21/2004, 8:47 AM

I would recommend anyone knew or experienced in video to subscribe to Videomaker magazine. It contains both advanced and newbie information on equipment and software, lighting, editing, video camera usage, filiming techniques, etc.

I have subscribed for the last several years and it has been terrific. They also have great online resources.

Randy Brown wrote on 6/21/2004, 10:08 AM

I would agree about Videomaker but wanted to pass on for the more advanced, check out Videography and Post magazines...very informative (sometimes over my head but) they're also free!
Randy

musman wrote on 6/21/2004, 5:13 PM

Don't know Post magazine. Don't suppose you know a link to get the free subscription?

Nathan_Shane wrote on 6/21/2004, 5:34 PM

Interestingly enough, I went to Half Price Books here in Dallas and they actually had 5 different issues of the POST magazine. This was my first time to ever see it, definitely a very good mag, well worth FREE.

You can find their website at www.postmagazine.com

JohnnyRoy wrote on 6/21/2004, 5:35 PM

When I first started out, I found "The Little Digital Video Book" by Michael Rubin a great beginners guide for getting organized and establishing good habits. He also has a book called "Nonlinear - A Field Guide to Digital Video and Film Editing" which explains the roots of film and TV and why we have the formats we do today. Lots of good information and 3:2 pulldown and stuff. It’s one of those books that’s just a great reference for understanding all the various video terms you see used in these forums.

~jr

farss wrote on 6/21/2004, 5:49 PM

If you're serious about the craft I'd recommend the ASC mag. Sure heaps of stuff we'll never afford but you slowly pick up a lot of info. The basics of how to shoot good looking and sounding movies are the same regardless of the medium.

musman wrote on 6/22/2004, 1:26 AM

Cool! Thank you.