The Five C's of Cinematography: Motion Picture Filming Techniques [Paperback]

Joseph V. Mascelli (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1998

The Five C's of Cinematography is one of the three most important books on cinematic technique ever published -- American Cinematographer

Mr. Mascelli provides the attentive reader with the equivalent of a complete course in filmmaking. -- New York Times

The Five C's is the most widely respected book on cinematography ever published. With the aid of hundreds of photographs and diagrams, it clearly and concisely presents al of the essential concepts and techniques of motion picture camera work.

Used copies of this timeless, long-out-of-print volume, which was first published in 1965, have been fetching hundreds of dollars per copy from students and teachers of cinematography and filmmaking. Now it is published for the first time in a paperback edition.

The five C's, and some of the related subjects this book covers, are:

Camera Angles -- Objective, Subjective, Point-of-View, Subject Size, Subject Angle, Camera Height

Continuity -- Cinematic Time and Space, Filming Action, Master Scenes, Screen Direction, Transitional Devices

Cutting -- Types of Editing, Cross-Cutting, Cutting on Action

Close-ups -- Over-the-Shoulder, Cut-in, Cutaway

Composition -- Compositional Rules, Compositional Language, Types of Balance, Attracting or Switching the Center of Interest.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Joseph V Mascelli

Product Details

• Paperback: 251 pages
• Publisher: Silman-James Pr; 1st Silman-James Press ed edition (June 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 187950541X
• ISBN-13: 978-1879505414
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,778 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

138 of 145 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction to Film Making, October 23, 1999

By 

Scott Johnson - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Five C's of Cinematography: Motion Picture Filming Techniques (Paperback)

As an amateur just starting to get serious about turning my "home movies" into something people actually WANT to watch, I searched for a long time to find an introductory book that not only told you HOW to do things, but WHY you should do them.

After many disappointments, I found this book. While some of the references (script girl is particularly amusing) are very dated, the text mainly covers technique and avoids technology.

The illustrations and printing style point quite obviously to the book's mid-60s origin. An introduction by someone who remembers what it was like to shoot film in 1908 and knew D.W. Griffith personally should tip you off immediately that this book is something special. Still, the illustrations are clear and help illustrate the text's points very well.

In spite of what many recent amateur (and professional) film makers think, technology does not make your film good, it just makes it easy. TECHNIQUE makes it good. And that's what this book teaches in a very clear, readable, and understandable way.

Very highly recommended if you've had your fill of general introductory texts and are looking for real instruction and explanation for how to actually MAKE a film.

129 of 136 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Bible of Cinematography, July 12, 2001

By 

Thor Vader "Herr Director" (Beverly Hills, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Five C's of Cinematography: Motion Picture Filming Techniques (Paperback)

The five C's: camera angles, continuity, cutting, close-ups, and composition. This book takes the filmmaker through understanding exactly what goes into getting the best image imaginable onto film. The true treasure of this book is that is was written long ago enough that the author does not feel bound to polical writing: in this authors world there are black and white rules of what is acceptable and unacceptable. While "creative-types" may find his insistance on what can be done insulting to their vision, I think we can all agree that if you are going to break the rules, it is important to know them. If you read this book and study it, then you will KNOW the rules and UNDERSTAND when, why, and where you need to break them. It is a delightful read, filled with information, and though written in the 1960's... the concepts are timeless and very applicable to filmmakers in the 2000's. Buy it and enjoy it! Best Wishes....Jason

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A stilll relivant clasic, November 4, 2005

By 

G. Robinson "Extensive reader" (CO) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Five C's of Cinematography: Motion Picture Filming Techniques (Paperback)

While some of the references are somewhat dated the techniques this book promotes are still valid and useful. Some are now fashionable to flaunt like crossing views, but this makes some TV unwatchable because its jolting.

The concept to protecting shots seems to have been lost in the video world as an editor I find this much more useful that the so-called coverage junk that I often have to deal with. Reshooting exactly the same scene from the same POV 13 times is NOT useful coverage! The editor needs ways to cut around mistakes and build up scenes by mix and match to do this he needs well thought out shooting not endless repetitions.

If everyone who wants to be a director would read and pay attention to this book film and video quality would improve immensely!

While this book is an essential read for directors, DPs and cameramen; I would highly recommend it to gaffers, grip and sound guys.