The Five C's of Cinematography: Motion Picture Filming Techniques (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

With the aid of photographs and diagrams, this text concisely presents concepts and techniques of motion picture camerawork and the allied areas of film-making with which they interact with and impact. Included are discussions on: cinematic time and space; compositional rules; and types of editing.

About the Author

Joseph V Mascelli

Product Details

• Paperback: 251 pages
• Publisher: Silman-James Press; 1st Silman-James Press Ed edition (June 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 187950541X
• ISBN-13: 978-1879505414
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #15,181 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

109 of 114 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Scott Johnson (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

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.

109 of 115 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Thor Vadir "herrdirektor" (Beverly Hills, CA United States) - See all my reviews

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

28 of 28 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 (REAL NAME)

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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.