24P: Make Your Digital Movies Look Like Hollywood [Paperback]

Pete Shaner (Author), Gerald Everett Jones (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1592005993 | ISBN-13: 978-1592005994 | Publication Date: April 7, 2005 | Edition: 1

The digital video mode 24p captures imagery more nearly the way motion picture cameras do. It opens up a world of possibilities for digital filmmakers. But aspiring to 'film-look video' involves more than just flipping a switch on your camera. The authors share the secrets of Hollywood-style production so you can give your movie a truly polished, commercial look. You won't need to beg major studios for financing to finally turn your movie into a reality. At last, you'll be able to make your film, your way. "24P: Make Your Digital Movies Look Like Hollywood" is packed with tips and advice for making the most of this incredible technology. It includes an 8-page color insert and offers an insider's view of the complete chronological sequence of professional film-style production, carefully examining how to apply the new technology from the craftsman who is most involved in or most responsible for each phase -- from the producer and cinematographer to the director and editor. .

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Pete Shaner is a motion-picture write-director who has written and directed two independent features: Lover's Knot (starring Billy Campbell, Jennifer Grey, and Tim Curry) and Nicolas, a supernatural thriller (the first independent feature ever shot in 24P HD). In addition, he co-wrote and directed the second unit for the action movies Shootfighter and Shootfighter II. He also has written for the TV series JAG and worked as the on-set technical advisor for A Few Good Men. He teaches DV production and techniques at UCLA Extension.

Gerald Everett Jones has written more than 20 books on computer and business subjects, including PMP Certification for Dummies, Easy Photoshop Elements and How to Lie with Charts. His screenplay Ballpoint, a comedy about the outrageous huckster who promoted the ballpoint pen in 1945, was among ten projects to be accepted into the Screenwriter's Lab of Independent Feature Project/West. He is a past director of the Independent Writers of Southern California (IWOSC) and is a member of the Dramasists Guild and the Writers Guild of America. He has professional expertise in computer graphics, industrial video, and website development and served as writer and executive producer of the InnRoom Shopping Network, a private TV channel in luxury hotels.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Course Technology PTR; 1 edition (April 7, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592005993
• ISBN-13: 978-1592005994
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,749,689 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Low on content and targeted towards an adv. beginner, February 24, 2006

By 

M. Morimoto "Miles M" (NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 24P: Make Your Digital Movies Look Like Hollywood (Paperback)

I thought this book would cover the subtle details about shooting 24P and cover technical issues such as advanced camera settings (crushed black and knee settings, etc.) and other issues specifically related to 24P shooting. Instead, this book very light on technical content and reads like the $30 film school book lightly covering a variety of topics such as your film crew, audio, special effects, burning a DVD, etc.
For a Course Technology book, I was very disappointed as they typically have very thorough and technically challenging books such as "Windows XP for Power Users" over 1000 pages.
I'll stick to Focal Press books in the future such as "High Definition and 24P Cinematography" or "Cinematography theory and practice" which both exibit the type of detail and technical expertise that I expect to learn something from.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Simplistic., November 28, 2005

By 

Anton Karidian (Toronto) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 24P: Make Your Digital Movies Look Like Hollywood (Paperback)

Most of what is in this book really has very little to do with making video look like film. Rather, Shaner spends a lot of time talking about very basic issues of general photographic lighting as well as audio editing -- not sure what audio has to do with the "film look" really. He also spends a lot of time talking about aspect ratio such as 16:9 which imply film format, but again -- it is a technique that has NOTHING to do with REALLY making video look like film. Finally he includes a short video that has been altered using the "Magic Bullet" software he seems to promote a lot. The sample he includes is quite awful. Honestly, the original unprocessed video looks BETTER the final "film look" outcome. The "film-look" template which is available with even the most basic digital editing software such as an entry level Pinnacle software.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I was satisfied, January 10, 2007

By 

The Dude Abides (Cincy, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 24P: Make Your Digital Movies Look Like Hollywood (Paperback)

I got this book as a hand-me-down a few months ago, so I speak as somebody who got it for free. The content in the book covers how to shoot video in 24P, so it can be easily converted to film. Lighting and sound are important for this. We need to understand that making video look like film is very difficult, this book gives some details of things to do and things to avoid to help assist achieving the "look." I thought it did a great job at describing techniques that will help get the film look from video. Truth is, unless you have a 24P camcorder in your possession, this book is of little use. But, if you do have one, this book will help you utilize the option so it will enhance your chances of getting the film look. Plain and simple.

If you already know Cinematography, and you think you may need to convert your video to film down the road, this is the book for you. Even if you just want a "better" looking movie, let this book tell you what types of lighting and equipment will help.