Customer Reviews

Grammar of the Shot, Second Edition

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Having plodded through many film and video production books, it is refreshing to come across a more compact and succinct publication. Grammar of the Shot (2nd Edition) by Roy Thompson and Christopher Bowen provides a clear and concise explanation of motion picture visual language. This universal language (or grammar) is an essential foundation for filmmakers to produce a film or video. "As a filmmaker, when you "speak" the common film language, you will be able to communicate your story to a global audience."
Grammar of the Shot elucidates the basic techniques and concepts of visual grammar --framing shots, camera angles and movement, focal lengths, lighting, and 3D elements; And it tackles more complex concepts such as manipulating depth of field, aesthetics of lighting, and how to cross the 180 degree line safely.
Practical shooting advice is given as well as recommendations on achieving more compelling shots. Although little attention is given to post production (devoted to companion text, Grammar of the Edit), this book emphasizes how to shoot with editing in mind. Topics concerned with the editing process include coverage, continuity issues, the180 degree rule, reciprocating imagery, and eye-line matches.
Peppered throughout the text are photographs, illustrations, and diagrams to illustrate key concepts and techniques. There are useful reviews at the end of each chapter and a glossary and index. I highly recommend Grammar of the Shot for film and video production classes. In addition, it would be useful for emerging filmmakers and for those who need a refresher.

GRAMMAR OF THE SHOT - have no doubt about it, this is a practitioner's handbook!

There's something very excellent and uncluttered about this text. Although it's a "grammar book", it doesn't come across stuffily. It's founded on practical know-how and it's derived from working with some important basic knowledge - how to communicate properly using moving visual images. The rules and applications of them are clear.

This is a requisite first step, for any filmmaker learning their trade, or teacher needing to refer students on.

And it's modularized - "chunky", in today's jargon. Compiled of logical, easy to digest pieces, which can be re-combined in various orders, to apply and make sense!

If you shoot to edit, you might consider this and GRAMMAR OF THE EDIT as a necessary pigeon-pair.

This book bridges the gap between "filmmaking for dummies" and The American Cinematographer Manual. While I feel that it would be a wonderful book if taking a course in composition and general camera techniques, I think it may be a bit over the heads of most novices. At the same time, those looking to delve deeper into the magics of film and video processes and imagery may feel that this book is a bit lacking. If you already have some filmmaking knowledge, but would love to have a refresher in all things motion picture camera related, this would be a good book to own.

I agree with what all the others have said regarding content. Succinct and valuable information, although mostly geared toward dramatic cinema, not documentary work.
Perhaps I got a bad copy, but my book is very hard to read. It has a ton of white space on the outside margin and the type is smashed right to the binding. I have to practically rip it apart to read it. The Grammar of the Edit book I purchased at the same time does not suffer from this same poor lay out or printing job.

This is a great book for refreshing technic even if you shoot consistantly. This arrived before the vendor assumed it would.

Grammar of the Shot, Second Edition
A simplified guide for aspiring film makers to assist them with arranging their shot compositions to effectively communicate the narrative