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The Five C's of Cinematography: Motion Picture Filming Techniques
by
With the aid of photographs and diagrams, this text concisely presents concepts and techniques of motion picture camerawork and the allied areas of film-making with which they interact with and impact. Included are discussions on: cinematic time and space; compositional rules; and types of editing.
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Paperback, 251 pages
Published
August 3rd 2005
by Silman-James Press
(first published 1983)
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Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
It's rather dense (~244 pages), but it's still one of the best books on cinematography I've read so far. It equips the cinematographer with a better understanding of why certain visual/technical choices work over others. The final chapter on Composition is simply amazing, and the conclusion feels like Mascelli's attempt to impart every single piece of wisdom to his students before we're released into the unexplored yonder.
I tried reading this book before I entered film school, and for whatever ...more
I tried reading this book before I entered film school, and for whatever ...more
There is not a single wasted word, example or illustration in this book. It is jam-packed with practical insight, technique, and tastefulness. Even if you don't intend to work in this medium, this book will enrich the way you watch film, etc.
Should've had a dedicated chapter on lightening.
Surprisingly useful from a painter's point of view. I've never seen such a good description of which factors affect balance in composition. I'm also a fan of how the author classified images by angle (high, low, eye-level) and by zoom (long shots, medium shots, close-ups). It's very useful when I catch myself drawing the same angle at the same distance over and over again.
Four stars as a painter. Possibly worth five to a filmmaker, but I wouldn't know.
Four stars as a painter. Possibly worth five to a filmmaker, but I wouldn't know.
You need to know the rule in order to break the rule.
Well, you can learn to do both with this book. This probably is the best I can suggest for any aspiring cinematographer/photographer. For a photographer, this book adds a whole new dimension to his compositions and for a cinematographer, this book is a bible. Buy this book, spend some time over it and enter into a world of totally different perspective when you see your camera again.
Well, you can learn to do both with this book. This probably is the best I can suggest for any aspiring cinematographer/photographer. For a photographer, this book adds a whole new dimension to his compositions and for a cinematographer, this book is a bible. Buy this book, spend some time over it and enter into a world of totally different perspective when you see your camera again.
I came to this book as a recommendation of Scott McDaniel as a MUST READ for drawing comicbooks or any other kind of visual storytelling, and hell, he was right.
It is dense, it took me several attempts to end it, but FINALLY did, and I'm really happy for it. Everything the guy says is on point, and even when sometimes gets really complicated, he puts great written and visual effects to make you get the point. 10/10 would read again.
It is dense, it took me several attempts to end it, but FINALLY did, and I'm really happy for it. Everything the guy says is on point, and even when sometimes gets really complicated, he puts great written and visual effects to make you get the point. 10/10 would read again.
Everything you need to know of cinematography is there in this book. A Bible for cinematographers.
Terrific,in a word. Simple & exhaustive.
Must read for photographers & cinematographers.
Must read for photographers & cinematographers.
Dec 04, 2008
Michael
is currently reading it
At first I was thrown off by the overlapping ideas of the 5 c's (it should be 4 c's, I think at this point) but its turning out to be very informative.
A good starting book for Cinematography
Read in film school many years ago. Still a book that informs my career and decision making in my industry 15 years later. With every minute I spent diving into its pages, despite being a dense read whilst I was still new to the topic. Now it's just a reference book to go back to, to freshen myself up. The fact it still has a lot of value so far down the line speaks volumes.
A seminal text and required reading for film students. In my many years of teaching, I've asked hundreds of learning filmmakers if they can tell me what the 5 C's stand for (without looking at their phones) - and I can count on one hand the number of students who were able to remember. The funny thing is that when I point out the 6th 'C' (mentioned in the Introduction) - they never forget it!
If your looking to learn and study film this is a must on your reading list.
Helpful, with plenty of stills as examples but very dated.
A great introductory book. Acquaints one with the basics.
Great read on the basics of cinematography!
This book is rich with insights. For any filmmakers, I strongly recommend this book!
The two sections that I learnt most from was continuity and composition. I've come to understand why actors have to enter and leave the frame on certain side, and how relationships can be established on screen. I've learnt to appreciate how important it is to create depth within the two-dimensional frame, so as to create a three-dimensional illusion on the screen. This later point is the greatest learning point f ...more
The two sections that I learnt most from was continuity and composition. I've come to understand why actors have to enter and leave the frame on certain side, and how relationships can be established on screen. I've learnt to appreciate how important it is to create depth within the two-dimensional frame, so as to create a three-dimensional illusion on the screen. This later point is the greatest learning point f ...more
Sometimes painful to drag your eyes through, but only because it covers such fundamental material for anyone remotely educated in filmmaking. I can only imagine what an experience it would be to a 14 year old who has never before considered the "rules" of good camera work. 60% of the book is actually more useful in an editing context, which was surprising. Good for those days you need a reminder of the basics of cinematic storytelling.
The book may be dated, but the advice is timeless. Definitely worth owning and reading/re-reading for anyone aspiring to be in the film industry. Much of it's advice is even worthy of non cinema enthusiasts. So many principles for motion photography seem like they could apply to still photography also.
If you're at all interested in the complexities of visual style as it pertains to film, this book is terrific.
Not only does it break down the entire process of cinematic structure, it gives a clear visual representation of each category. That knowledge is priceless when you pick up a motion picture camera for the first time.
Not only does it break down the entire process of cinematic structure, it gives a clear visual representation of each category. That knowledge is priceless when you pick up a motion picture camera for the first time.
Jan 22, 2015
Vivek Kumar
added it
tyu
Nice, basic overview. It is old and I am not a cinematographer, so I am guessing there are new techniques and rules, but I'm thinking most of the basics are still the basics and that is all I wanted.
This is a valuable book for all DP's, Directors and editors.
Recommended for illustrators
This is the definate book on Cinematography - these are the rules. Learn them then you can break them.
This is the most practical and thorough discussion of cinematography, and it is a must-read for all interested in movies and film.
An incredible book about everthing you need to know about cinematography. This is an ultimate guide to using a camera.
It's great book which can make you better
Jan 08, 2008
Harry Pray IV
marked it as to-read
a book entitled, "The Five C's of Cinematography: Motion Picture Filming Techniques" has got to suck...doesn't it?
Dec 19, 2013
Srinivas
added it
i like cinematogrphy
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