American Cinematographer Manual (8th Edition) [Hardcover]

Rob Hummel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2002 | ISBN-10: 0935578153 | ISBN-13: 978-0935578157 | Edition: 8

The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) has just published the much-anticipated 8th edition of the "ASC Film Manual." The manual is an authoritative source of technical information that is a widely used reference around the world.

"Our purpose is to provide a single source of information that current and future cinematographers and other filmmakers can rely on," says ASC President Steven Poster. " ASC published its first film manual in 1930 (then called "The Cinematographic Annual"). This is the first new edition since 1993. It contains updated and new information about the art and craft of cinematography that was written and reviewed by the world's leading experts."

There are 40 chapters and more than 100 tables and charts in the 929-page manual. Each chapter is authored by a renowned expert on the subject. The latest edition features new chapters covering such topics as high-definition telecine mastering and digital film post-production.

Topics include:

-Comparisons of film formats
-Advice on choosing lenses and filters
-Techniques for emulsion testing
-Detailed description of lab procedures
-Information about lighting
-Camera stabilization and movement
-Front projection
-Motion control and other visual effects techniques
-Computer graphics
-Aerial and underwater cinematography
-How to expose film in infrared and ultra-violet light
-Digital film mastering

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

ASC associate member Rob Hummel, a senior vice president at Warner Bros.Studios, edited the 8th edition of the "ASC Film Manual." Hummel is uniquely qualified to edit this book. He began his career working closely with cinematographers in production while a representative of Technicolor Laboratories. He has held positions in visual effects, post-production for Sony, Walt Disney Pictures, Imagineering's Theme Park Productions, Disney and DreamWorks Animation, International Post Production, among others. He is an active member of SMPTE, and serves on the Scientific and Technical Awards Committee of the Motion Picture Academy.

"Cinematography is an art form," says Hummel, "and as with any art form, the artist must understand the technology to realize his vision. The 'ASC Film Manual' has always been at the cinematographer's side in helping bridge the gap between the art of cinematography and its technical applications. The Manual helps the cinematographer master a complex and constantly evolving craft, which now crosses freely between film and digital boundaries. This edition has recaptured the best Manuals.'"

Two prominent cinematographers, Stephen Burum, ASC ("The Untouchables," "Hoffa," "Mission Impossible") and Richard Crudo, ASC("American Buffalo," "Outside Providence," "American Pie") collaborated with Hummel on the selection of content. "Everyone involved with this edition worked at ensuring the Manual accurately covered the broad scope of information required not only by the experienced cinematographer in the field, but for students of the craft as well," adds Hummel.

They also reviewed every article for accuracy and relevance. Burum contributed a chapter entitled, "A Jumpstart Guide for the Student Cinematographer." "This is the first reformatting of the manual in many years," says Burum. "It is the chronicle of our craft. As Gordon Willis (ASC) said, 'There is no art without craft.'"

Crudo adds, "This publication will be particularly useful for current and future cinematographers, however, we believe it is a also a relevant guide for anyone who is involved in any aspect of filmmaking."

Product Details

• Hardcover: 929 pages
• Publisher: A S C Holding Corp; 8 edition (January 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0935578153
• ISBN-13: 978-0935578157
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 3.9 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #593,976 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Cinematographer's Bible, October 11, 2003

By 

OverTheMoon ([e-mail]) - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Cinematographer Manual (8th Edition) (Hardcover)

Also known as "The Cinematographers Bible", this thick hand-sized pocket book is an absolute must for anybody who owns or uses a 16mm, Super 16mm, 35mm, Super 35mm or 70mm motion picture camera (movie cameras). IT WILL NOT TEACH YOU CINEMATOGRAPHY! It is a technical manual to be used when shooting on film and has since become the industry standard book that most amateur and professional cinematographers own and use. Motion pictures cameras are also built around the specifications laid down in this book.

Essentially the first 100 pages deal with all the different types of motion picture cameras, their internal mechanisms, technical details and threading paths. Then the book goes on to dealing with motion picture film itself, the various brands that are available, differences between black and white, color and a bit about the development process of each one. Again, technically detailed. There is also very valuable charts on film lengths and running times according to fps. The lens section is very technical covering the different types of lenses and the most important focal length, distance to subject, measuring charts that is really the most widely used part of this book. There is a massive section on filters, exposure and emulsion testing.

The book then deals with lighting and covers the various aspects of lighting types, bulbs, filters and exposure techniques, all highly technical in nature with references to charts and illustrations. The book ends with a coverage of visual special effects that can be done with the motion picture camera and other special techniques that the cinematographer will need to know about.

You will need this book if you are shooting on film, end of story. If you are looking for a manual that teaches cinematography then choose CINEMATOGRAPHY by Kris Malkiewicz instead. As a note, there is a lot of new digital cinematography cameras on the up and coming that work on digital video tape and not film and many new filmmakers may be advised to check out this route as a cheaper and less costly way of shooting their first film.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible resource, November 1, 2002

By 

julie williams (burbank, ca USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Cinematographer Manual (8th Edition) (Hardcover)

I was at first put off by the price of this book, until I looked at friend of mine that had a copy. It's UNBELIEVABLE! My friend goes to USC, and after reading much of this book I can see why it's used as a textbook for their majors in Cinema and Television. It may be a hefty price, but that's because it's a hefty book(!!), with remarkably in depth articles on choices of formats, mastering, digital effects, etc. It's easy to understand why earlier editions of this manual earned its legendary place in Hollywood.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE Essential Reference for Cinematographers, November 1, 2002

By 

J. Fauer (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: American Cinematographer Manual (8th Edition) (Hardcover)

If you were allowed only one book to bring along on location, this is the one. It is loaded with essential information on every camera, look-up tables and more critical reference material than anyone could hope to memorize in a lifetime.

Quick Quiz:
1. What's the formula for image blur. Answer on page 704.
2. What are the specs for a Wesscam. Page 392.
3. Explain "common topline" in Super35. Page 36.