Shot by Shot: A Practical Guide to Filmmaking

by John Cantine, Susan Howard, Brady Lewis

Shot by Shot: A Practical Guide to Filmmaking is a clear, easy-to-read introductory text designed for the beginning filmmaker working in either the super-8 or 16mm format. The book is divided into nine chapters, each of which deals with the basic language, processes and techniques of filmmaking: * Camera and Lens * Film Stock * Composition * Continuity * Film Editing * Digital Editing * Preproduction * Lighting * Sound Shot by Shot: A Practical Guide to Filmmaking was written by three members of the faculty at Pittsburgh Filmmakers. It has been adopted by more than 75 university filmmaking programs throughout North America. In this third edition, the authors have reconsidered and revised every chapter, updated information on16mm and super-8 film production throughout, and written major new sections on digital editing and digital audio.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction

190 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Tori BookWorm22 · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Kyra Richardson]

Read for film class.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.”

[Arjun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very useful. Glad to have read this.

[Matthew Law · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful information though some of it is outdated in this digital age.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.

[Rani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good, practical, and compact little primer and reference book for new filmmakers.

[Seth Kenlon · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Caitlin]

Shot by Shot; A Practical Guide to Filmmaking (3rd Ed.) by John Cantine (2000)

[Seth Kenlon · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[K.m. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Serviceable, useful for intro to camera workings, editing, and other processes of filmmaking. Of necessity, very simple and dry.