I looked through all of the books on Amazon that fell under the category of Cinematography, and then chose about the top 25 rated ones. I went to Inter-Library Loans at my university and requested them all. I got about a dozen.
Of all I got, this one, while broad (which I would have thought to be a disadvantage) was by far the most engrossing and the principles were illustrated (graphically and rhetorically) with a clarity that is unusual and tough to achieve. I'm really going to go off on the lighting section of the book (4 chapters, count 'em- "Concepts and Equipment" (which is as far as most books get), "Exposure and Latitude," "Planning the Lighting" (Hallelujah!)and "Executing the Lighting."
Some great advantages: Most of the books I got read like a lighting catalog (this is a tweenie, this is a mini-mole, this is a HMI blah-blah...) As a student filmmaker, that just wastes my time. I don't have access to 10,000 watt HMIs or ultra-specialized fiber-optic lighting kits, so why should I buy a book that more or less advertises them?
One other great strength- They show a photo of a well lit scene (typical) and then pull back with a diagram illustrating the lighting that has achieved this (Unusual for most books, standard for this one). This shouldn't have to be a revelation, but it is.
My interest in this book was sparked with the great lighting section, but there are some other sections stand out: Composition, Previsualization, Basic Scene structure.
The rest of the book is thorough in examining the underlying principles at work: lens, film stocks, audio (with a great section on recording strategies- wow, not just another explanation of a cardioid mic pattern).
I plan on begging, pleading, threatening, blackmailing or whatever means prove neccessary to convince my film professors that this should be our standard text. I would have had an infinitely better time of things on past projects if I had had it.
I had Bruce, the author, as my film production teacher not too long ago. "Film Production Technique" isn't some esoteric diatribe, it is a nuts and bolts "how to" book on film production. The book is thoughtfully laid out, plain spoken, and punctuated with helpful diagrams and pictures.
Intended for the novice, Mamer's book is an indispensable reference for the seasoned film maker as well.
If you have the nerve, "Film Production Technique" will show you how to make your idea a reality.
Everything Bruce knows is in this book, and everything he teaches in class comes directly from it as well. The only thing missing is your idea, talent, time, and equipment.
You won't regret the investment made in this HOW-TO manual for filmmaking!
So...what are you waiting for? Go make your film!!!
