Don't bother with this book.
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I hate to be too negative about something, but I bought this book expecting to find out about how to plan my shots to tell a greater visual story. What you get from this book is just a list of many types of shots.
I then found and ordered 'Cinematic Storytelling: The 100 Most Powerful Film Conventions Every Filmmaker' which was EXACTLY the book I was after. Which works for beginners and more experienced filmakers alike.
My opinion is whatever your level, you're far better off with Cinematic Storytelling.
Put your money towards that one.
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Not exactly what it says on the tin errrrrrr i mean cover
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If I was thinking of becoming a story board artist and was looking for idea's this book would be great, because it show's the techniques used to show the idea's given from the director/writer and how it would look on a storyboard. If you wanted conceptual stuff to get the grey cells going then sorry this isn't for you. The best thing about this book is the references to films because as a camera operator I want to see what the shots turn out like and how they are used in real time.Following the motion and the speed allows me to visualise the shots for myself in a particular situation. So for me this book has it's good points and bad points but it has it's place on my bookshelf.
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GREAT!!
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This is a great book for anyone who is interested in filming techniques.
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Disappointing
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I bought this book because I wanted to learn more about the way films are made, and how directors use cinematography to convey particular concepts and emotions.
It does not do this (although the summary had led me to believe it would). All it does is provide brief descriptions of basic camera techniques (pan, zoom etc), along with sketch illustrations and indications of where you might see the techniques in use it well-known films. This seems to me pretty pointless. We all know what zoom, pan etc are, and we are not likely to go rushing out to get a copy of 'Blade Runner', or whatever, to wait for the poorly described episode to come up so we can see a real example. Don't bother!
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A Good First Step
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This well organised, easy to read book is a great starting point for any wannabe filmmaker. Excellent illustrations help the reader to visualise the many techniques described, from the most basic to the more advanced. If you already have a knowledge of film language, this book serves as a useful reference, and if you don't, it is the perfect introduction, which not only explains how filmmakers use techniques to evoke a certain emotion or emphasise a point, but also encourages you to look for these techniques when you watch a film, and makes suggestions as to which films to look at (this is very important - the illustrations, while good, can never fully explain a film technique, as film is all about the moving image). Chapters include Basic cinematic techniques, Composition techniques, Crane techniques, movement, perspective, and editing, as well as a miscellaneous section. The pages of this book really do include what the title suggests: Great camera moves every filmmaker should know. Of course, you won't learn how to be a great filmmaker from a book, but in conjunction with a video or DVD player, this is a good place to start.
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