Question: Suggested Reading for Improving Video Skills

D

Denniscasey

Well-known member
Using Barry's HMC book as main info source I have also browsed websites and library books but would appreciate recommendations for books I could buy to give me more guidelines to improve my video skills ( I know experimentation is still needed, but looking for guideline or baseline conditions to use as basis for experiments). I have by now moved beyond "basic" skills via this forum, reading and video I have done. In addition, so many info sources assume a studio or movie setting, but my shooting is generally outdoor scenery/action shots where I do not control lighting or other aspects of scene so prefer books directed to that type of video. Thank you, Dennis
 
Denniscasey said:
Using Barry's HMC book as main info source I have also browsed websites and library books but would appreciate recommendations for books I could buy to give me more guidelines to improve my video skills ( I know experimentation is still needed, but looking for guideline or baseline conditions to use as basis for experiments). I have by now moved beyond "basic" skills via this forum, reading and video I have done. In addition, so many info sources assume a studio or movie setting, but my shooting is generally outdoor scenery/action shots where I do not control lighting or other aspects of scene so prefer books directed to that type of video. Thank you, Dennis
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Dennis you are going to love this course from Lynda.com
http://www.lynda.com/Video-Video-Pr...damentals-Video-Cameras-Shooting/97394-2.html
 
Felipe, thank you for reference to Lynda.com series. Reason behind asking about book(s) was that I was given a Barnes and Noble gift card and a good video book seemed a good use for the card. Regards, Dennis
 
Hi Dennis

What many many people tend to do is look purely at the technical aspects of using their camera and that's what Barry's books are for!! You could do a lot worse by simply getting a general book on film-making/video making....rather look for the camera side rather than the post production side at first. So many people have absolutely no idea about composition, rule of thirds, lead in/out spacing and down to earth basic principles that should be the ground work before you even push record. Forums tend to put a huge emphasis on technical aspects of video so we find them interesting but assume that everyone knows the basics. In fact my long time "bible" was a camera technique book originally written for film cameras but the ground basics still apply.
Any fairly intelegent person can figure out how to record video on a camcorder but few can create a storyline and keep the flow, continuity and action correct which can make or break the end result.

Chris
 
Chris is totally right, that's the point where my self coming from a photography all life background, and braking into video , has taken the greatest effort, is the story and all the planning you have to do before a shot
what really takes time and effort, however all those technical aspects are important and probably easier for a person coming from photography.
At the same time I want to recommend both of you this Lynda course given by Anthony Q Artis, Among hundreds of video course I have this is the best, the man is very very specific and wise.
You can buy the DVD if you want it in your hard drive as I did, Another Plus is that he works all the time with Panasonic Prosumer cameras, DON'T miss it
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Hi Felipe

It looks good but I was a little dismayed at the "Learning the Craft" ..only 4 minutes 47 seconds. It doesn't cover the basics at all really, not in 4 minutes. I still think a course about the general video concept like when to use different shot sizes, the 180 rule, how to follow a walking/running subject, avoiding jumpcuts ...and the list goes on that even a person without the grasp of basics can make a fool of themselves even with a $250K studio camera... I would still get something like the "Art of Film/Video Making" rather than when to use an ND filter and how Zebra's work...Barry covers that very well in his books!! Just using basic concepts I can save myself hundreds of hours editing by doing the shot correctly rather than using the "point and shoot" method

Chris
 
ChrisHarding said:
Hi Felipe

It looks good but I was a little dismayed at the "Learning the Craft" ..only 4 minutes 47 seconds. It doesn't cover the basics at all really, not in 4 minutes. I still think a course about the general video concept like when to use different shot sizes, the 180 rule, how to follow a walking/running subject, avoiding jumpcuts ...and the list goes on that even a person without the grasp of basics can make a fool of themselves even with a $250K studio camera... I would still get something like the "Art of Film/Video Making" rather than when to use an ND filter and how Zebra's work...Barry covers that very well in his books!! Just using basic concepts I can save myself hundreds of hours editing by doing the shot correctly rather than using the "point and shoot" method

Chris
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Chris, Sure Video capture subject goes on and on , that is why I mentioned that, that out of hundreds of course I have where there is a lot of info about many of the topics you mentioned.
This is the best , since in just 3 hours He covers a lot of subjects with a very unique way, I really learned a lot from his real life practices.
About Barry's book, haven't have the pleasure to read it, I bet is very good as Everyone mention.
Just give it a try, Lynda even have a trial fare, Take a look and tell me if you didn't learn new things, not only because is a well known subject but by the way he approaches the topics.
I'll take a look at "Art of Film/Video Making".
Felipe
 
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Hi, Dennis – as a learner like yourself, I would like to suggest something that I enjoyed (OK, the rest of you will snicker at this, but here goes): I signed up for some classes at my local community access channel. It was maybe a dozen classes, low cost ($75?), and mixed studio (city officials talking to get to know your government) with field work (parades mostly). The downside was ALL of their equipment was standard definition. But, not only did I learn plenty of technical things, but got to meet other folks in the area with the same hobby. I think the key was that I was lucky, in that my instructors were excellent: one was a retired lifelong broadcast journalist/producer/director, and one was a graduate student in filmmaking. Now that I am ‘certified’ I can sign up for open slots where they need help.

If you want to spend your bookstore gift card, I’d recommend a copy of Videomaker magazine. Their website also has some free tutorials (videomaker.com), plus some you can buy on DVD. Way too basic for pros, but I enjoy reading them and watching the videos.

Felipe, I had not seen that series but it looks great. Thanks for the tip.

Chris- very good advice I think. Do you have any recommended books or videos? I started browsing and found:
http://www.amazon.com/On-Film-makin...651296&sr=8-3&keywords=the+art+of+film+making
http://www.amazon.com/Commando-Tact...652128&sr=1-37&keywords=the+art+of+filmmaking
http://www.amazon.com/Visual-Story-...652221&sr=1-44&keywords=the+art+of+filmmaking
http://www.amazon.com/Filmmakers-Ey...652492&sr=1-83&keywords=the+art+of+filmmaking
http://www.amazon.com/Cinematograph...652614&sr=1-85&keywords=the+art+of+filmmaking
http://www.amazon.com/Filmmakers-Ha...652759&sr=1-99&keywords=the+art+of+filmmaking
http://www.amazon.com/Moviemaking-C...53299&sr=1-204&keywords=the+art+of+filmmaking

Dennis, I’m sure these are available at/on B&N, too.

Steve
 
ChrisHarding said:
Hi Felipe

It looks good but I was a little dismayed at the "Learning the Craft" ..only 4 minutes 47 seconds. It doesn't cover the basics at all really, not in 4 minutes. I still think a course about the general video concept like when to use different shot sizes, the 180 rule, how to follow a walking/running subject, avoiding jumpcuts ...and the list goes on that even a person without the grasp of basics can make a fool of themselves even with a $250K studio camera... I would still get something like the "Art of Film/Video Making" rather than when to use an ND filter and how Zebra's work...Barry covers that very well in his books!! Just using basic concepts I can save myself hundreds of hours editing by doing the shot correctly rather than using the "point and shoot" method

Chris
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Hi Chris, All good points. I was not sure if your book thought was a generic Art of Filmmaking type book or a specific title?

If you meant a specific book the best I could come up with (Google, Amazon search) was James D. Rauch's book "The Art of Filmmaking" --is that the one you meant?

Dennis
 
Hi Steve, Of the ones you browsed; "The Filmmakers Handbook...." : "The Filmmakers Eye..." and "The Visual Story..." looked closest to what I am after. I have also come across an old classic called "The Five C's of Cinematography" by Joseph Mascelli.

Dennis
 
Hey Dennis

The 5 C's is excellent and gives you a good grounding!! Depending on the value of your gift card you can always get a couple of books!! What most videographers miss is the fact that you have to have a story ... even a trip to the beach with the family has a story and it's so critical to be able to tell it and not just present a whole lot of footage with the wobbly bits cut off which becomes meaningless to a viewer. For a really good example watch John's video on the AC130/160 forum ...beautifully thought out and rivetting viewing from beginning to end ... perfect storyline and informative narration yet someone else could have gone to the islands and shot the very same footage and it would have lost the plot completely!!

Chris
 
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