Video Shooter: Storytelling with HD Cameras

by Barry Braverman

Tired of the dry rudimentary guidebooks that ignore the art of telling compelling video stories? Video Shooter takes you to a new level of competence and expertise by presenting the camera as a potent storytelling tool. Sure, you will learn the basics of HD formats, the fundamentals of compression and color space, but only so much as these technical areas serve your craft, which includes more fundamentally camera placement and eyeline, choice of lens focal length and the power of the triangle in creating powerful compositions. Throughout the book you will come to understand the master shooter's guiding principle, that story is the conduit through which all creative and technical decisions flow. Humorous and opinionated, the author provides insightful anecdotes and tutorials that help you learn the video shooter's craft. While the book focuses primarily on how to get the most out of your entry- and mid-level P2, XDCAM, and AVCHD camcorder, the principles and lessons covered such as shooting for green screen and understanding point of view apply just as well to video shooters and storytellers of any level. As apprenticeships in the industry have largely disappeared, aspiring shooters and film students have had to seek alternative sources for training and guidance. In Video Shooter , you will find a master teacher offering perceptive lessons with a healthy dose of inspiration; these pages are as close to a living and breathing mentor as one can get in a printed form. Hundreds of full-color photos and illustrations present the many lessons throughout the book. Please visit the Companion Web www.focalpress.com/cw/braverman-97802... (registration code is located inside the book)

300 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2009

Reviews

[coolwind · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is not so much about how to shoot a better video. It is more on gears. Not too useful to me.

[J.S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't really need this book - I don't have a super-expensive high-end video camera and I've never tried to make a movie. But, I always seem to be the one with the video camera on family trips, and if you've ever seen the family videos I've taken you'd agree that I could use some help.

The thing I like most about this book is how visually oriented it is - if you look through the preview pages you'll see almost every page loaded with pictures illustrating the concepts Mr. Braverman is trying to convey. The text is limited and to the point (sometimes a little too limited) and is very much a "how to" or "tips and tricks" manual. And even though it says HD it has lots of applicable information if you're still working with an older model camera. It seems like it could almost be used as a textbook for a videography class, but I think it'll help lots of us amateurs do a better job on the family videos.

[Cody Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of a technical manual than I was expecting, but still a very useful addition to my reading list on shooting with HD Cameras. Full of illustrations and info about how to improve your work.