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Shot By Shot: A Practical Guide to Filmmaking
Shot by Shot: A Practical Guide to Filmmaking is a clear, easy-to-read introductory text designed for the beginning filmmaker working in high-definition digital video or 16mm or super-8 film. The book is divided into 12 chapters, each of which deals with the basic language, processes and techniques of film and video production: The Moving Image; Film Camera and Film Stock; Video Camera and Recorder; The Lens; Composition; Continuity; Editing Theory; Editing Mechanics; Pre-Production; Lighting; Sound; and Distribution. It includes a comprehensive glossary of important terms.
The Fourth Edition has been completely revised. New chapters have been added to include high-definition digital video production and recent developments in distribution and exhibition. All other chapters have been updated to reflect changes in film production and to cover hybrid film/video workflows. At the same time, the book retains the clarity and straightforward writing style that led to its adoption as an introductory text in over seventy university filmmaking programs through North America.
Shot by Shot: A Practical Guide to Filmmaking was written by three members of the faculty at Pittsburgh Filmmakers, one of the largest media arts centers in the United States. Susan Howard, Brady Lewis and John Cantine are all active independent filmmakers and educators with decades of experience teaching in a variety of settings, from K-12 media literacy programs to undergraduate and graduate-level production majors. Their teaching experience convinced them of the need for a clear, easy-to-read textbook for students starting out in film and video production.
The Fourth Edition has been completely revised. New chapters have been added to include high-definition digital video production and recent developments in distribution and exhibition. All other chapters have been updated to reflect changes in film production and to cover hybrid film/video workflows. At the same time, the book retains the clarity and straightforward writing style that led to its adoption as an introductory text in over seventy university filmmaking programs through North America.
Shot by Shot: A Practical Guide to Filmmaking was written by three members of the faculty at Pittsburgh Filmmakers, one of the largest media arts centers in the United States. Susan Howard, Brady Lewis and John Cantine are all active independent filmmakers and educators with decades of experience teaching in a variety of settings, from K-12 media literacy programs to undergraduate and graduate-level production majors. Their teaching experience convinced them of the need for a clear, easy-to-read textbook for students starting out in film and video production.
- GenresFilmNonfiction
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 5, 2022
This was my least favorite of my film books. This book was just jam-packed with too much information given to the readers ar far too quick a pace. Definitely not a book for beginners.
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May 29, 2021Read for film class.
May 18, 2026
Good “intro to filmmaking” book. Read for a class. Couldn’t help but think it could be punchier - seems to ramble on random topics (eg the chemical science behind old film stock?), and wish there were more visuals. Ideally we’d cut like 40% of the words and just get the core ideas here so readers could translate to shooting faster.
“Depth of field depends upon three variables:
1. Focal length: Shorter (wide-angle) lenses provide greater depth of field than long (telephoto) lenses.
2. F-stop: Stopping down the iris increases depth of field; opening up decreases depth of field. Therefore, you will usually have less depth of field in low lighting, when the lens iris must be opened up.
3. Focusing distance: The farther the plane of critical focus, the greater the depth of field; the closer the camera is focused, the less the depth of field.”
“Depth of field depends upon three variables:
1. Focal length: Shorter (wide-angle) lenses provide greater depth of field than long (telephoto) lenses.
2. F-stop: Stopping down the iris increases depth of field; opening up decreases depth of field. Therefore, you will usually have less depth of field in low lighting, when the lens iris must be opened up.
3. Focusing distance: The farther the plane of critical focus, the greater the depth of field; the closer the camera is focused, the less the depth of field.”
April 12, 2020
Very useful. Glad to have read this.
March 15, 2022
Useful information though some of it is outdated in this digital age. In many ways it's a history of filmmaking and why certain things were done because of limitations.
August 27, 2026
Solid book
March 23, 2017
Pretty good, practical, and compact little primer and reference book for new filmmakers.
October 19, 2012
This was the text book for my beginning filmmaking course in college, and I literally still have the book. Between being a really good reference book and being JUST the right size, it's a handy thing to keep around. Fun fact: I use its fourth edition as the textbook for the beginning filmmaking course that I now teach at a filmmaker's institute.
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October 9, 2009Shot by Shot; A Practical Guide to Filmmaking (3rd Ed.) by John Cantine (2000)
October 19, 2012
Third edition. Great book. I reviewed another edition as well. Weird that they are listed all separately..
Anyway, great book if you're trying to learn the technique behind filmmaking.
Anyway, great book if you're trying to learn the technique behind filmmaking.
January 11, 2015
Serviceable, useful for intro to camera workings, editing, and other processes of filmmaking. Of necessity, very simple and dry.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews