Customer Reviews

Motion Picture and Video Lighting, Revised Edition

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The thing about this book is that it is written from a completely professional point of view. It deals with lighting as it is really practiced on professional movie sets - not like most books on cinematography which seem to be written by people who haven't actually done it all that much in the real world. I've bought about every book there is on movie lighting and most of them are a waste of money.

This book covers everything from a basic introduction to color, exposure and electricity up to the more complex technical issues you have to deal with as a gaffer or cinematographer: very thorough and comprehensive. The Set Technicians book is good if all you are trying to be is an electrician, but this is the one you want if you really want to move up as a gaffer, lighting director or Director of Photography. Except for one chapter (film exposure), everything in the book applies equally well to video, digital video or High Def. There is also a very good chapter on video which covers what you REALLY have to know to work in video lighting.

If you work (or want to work) in the motion picture industry, knowing lighting is the key to advancement and success. This is the book to get if you really want to learn motion picture and video lighting.

Blaine Brown's book provides a decent explanation of set lighting, it's instruments and protocol. The text, though, seems to speak more to the cameraperson or AC who is curious about lighting. There is a lack of attention given to the juicers and hammers who are actually creating and shaping the light. There is a considerable amount of text granted to electrics and the distribution of power, but much more thorough and much more practically explained definitions are readily available in Harry Box's "Set Lighting Technician's Handbook."