This is one of the most respected books on film making ever published. With the aid of hundreds of photographs and diagrams, it clearly and concisely presents the essential concepts and techniques of motion picture camerawork and the allied areas of film making that they interact and impact with. Branching out from five central subject areas, the five Cs -- camera angles, continuity, cutting, close-ups, composition -- Mascelli offers film makers a detailed and practical course in visual thinking. Included are discussions of: cinematic time and space; compositional rules; point-of-view; camera height and angle; master scenes; types of editing; screen direction.
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Joseph V Mascelli
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
145 of 152 people found the following review helpful
Format: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.
131 of 138 people found the following review helpful
By Thor Vader
Format: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
48 of 48 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
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.
40 of 42 people found the following review helpful
By Michael Ryan
Format:Paperback
If you're like me and you've sifted through dozens of books on film technique that were about anything but, you can stop searching. "The Five C's of Cinematography" is not only well-written but virtually everything in it is essential to learning good film technique. Most authors of these types of books either don't completely understand the medium, aren't interested in sharing their wisdom or are just looking to make a quick buck. Mascelli delivers all the goods. He provides the best explanation of the axis line I've ever read and his diagrams are simple, yet very helpful. This is a guy who clearly wanted to share his knowledge. You can throw out all your other filmmaking books.
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By Tony Hall
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book was written in 1965, yet none of it's information is out-of-date. This book covers the basics of cinematography which is the art of motion picture filming. It's very easy to read and all terms are defined and explained by the author before being used so it's easy to understand.
The author organizes everything you need to know about shooting films into five categories that start with "C", so it's simplified and easy to remember. It doesn't matter if you're a filmmaker, a cameraman, or even a still photographer this book is worth the read. Also, if you edit video in Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro and are pretty much clueless, the chapter on cutting will be of great value to you.
This book is more about philosophy than any technical information about cameras or types of film. After reading this book you'll have a better understanding of how to communicate a story to people with the moving picture.
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is really one book that will be read and referred to throughout my professional career as a camera operator for film and electronic cinematography. It has all the information, know what is in here, and then, if lucky you may find an opportunity to break the rules and create an innovation. It is my bible that I cherish!!
26 of 28 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
It doesn't matter that this book is 30 years old, the basic way that film is made has never changed and never will. This book covers the principles in a way that no other book does. It's an absolute classic and belongs in every film and video professional's library. I've had my copy for many, many years and still refer to it.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Read these lines carefully: Forget Film School
Boy, this is gonna sound like an after midnight infomercial but here goes...
Do you have no money to attend a prestigious film school for cinematography? Read more
Do you have no money to attend a prestigious film school for cinematography? Read more
Published 1 month ago by Nedvaluke
5.0 out of 5 stars
First Review!
This was a book I needed, as I am getting my bootlegged NYU film degree by buying all of the texts they have in stock at the bookstore. Read more
Published 3 months ago by tanner carlson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cinematography: Clear and Comprehensive
Mascelli's text is an easy to read clear comprehensive guide to the art of film making. It can be read straight through easily by the person just beginning, or be used as a... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Sherry Landrum
5.0 out of 5 stars
Necessary Book for Film
An amazing read and an essential for learning the art of cinema. Mascelii is very in depth on the material covered.
Published 4 months ago by Kevin Nealey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Of all the books on cinematography, this one is by far the best
Of all the books on cinematography, this one is by far the best. It covers all the major principles & rules for shooting film / video in a logical, picture-rich format.
Published 6 months ago by Mark Waldo
5.0 out of 5 stars
An old master remains valid.
This is the classic from decades ago and guess what? It cannot be "outdated" because
the age of the old illustration photos is totally irrelevant. Read more
the age of the old illustration photos is totally irrelevant. Read more
Published 8 months ago by RAUL DASILVA
4.0 out of 5 stars
Old but timeless
The example photos and theories are years old, but timeless and classic. Cinematograhy has evolved but there are basic rules and techniques that hold true and don't change. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Donna
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Evergreen
this is the best book on cinematography till date.though published long back ago,none can compare with this gold.keep this gem all the time with u.thanks.
Published 18 months ago by amisaz
1.0 out of 5 stars
Horrible Investment
This book is not worth your time. Just look at when the book was published. The publishing house of this book is trying to scam you into buying it by putting a camera on the cover... Read more
Published on August 9, 2010 by Christopher Gilmore
2.0 out of 5 stars
Outdated
This feels like a rip-off because it is simply a collection of still from movies from the 40's and 50's, along with descriptions of the scenes. Read more
Published on March 29, 2010 by Jonathan Lutz
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