Hi all,

A friend recommended this BB as a source of information from nice people.

I am a hobbyist at best and would like to get a book or 2 on shooting video. I am interested in shooting music video's, small indie films and I would love to add some professionalism to family and vacation footage. Basically I want to learn about the entire process and how get better results; lighting, blocking, how to achieve a shallow depth of field, setting up shots....I don't have a clue what blocking is. :) So if any of you have come across a book or source of information that you feel strongly about, please let me know.

I realize there are classes I can take at film schools but I would like to start on my own for now and save up for a better camera (maybe a GL2?).

Thanks in advance for any assistance!

Cheers,
Scott

I found Pete May's The Essential Digital Video Handbook (http://www.digitalvideoediting.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=26166) to be concise and informative. Highly recommended.

I also recommend DV Creator.net's DV Enlightenment DVD (http://www.digitalvideoediting.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=25346) on lighting. One of the cameras used in the DVD is the GL2

The 5 C's of Cinematography (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/187950541X/qid=1106690331/sr=8-2/ref=pd_bbs_2/102-5182409-9175333?v=glance&s=books&n=507846),
Digital Video Basics (http://www.vasst.com/printproducts/dvbasics.htm) and
Setting Up Your Shots (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0941188736/qid=1106690331/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-5182409-9175333?v=glance&s=books&n=507846) ,
not necessarily in that order, are three I value.

Good luck.

Dennis

Why not browse through some of the posts in our Read About It (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=36) forum for a few ideas?

Sorry to waste everyone's time...I just found the section with all the book learning stuff. I must have missed it when I looked initially.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

Cheers,
Scott

I agree with The Five C's of Cinematography. Another great one that is aimed at directing and covers EVERYTHING is "Directing - Film Techniques and Aesthetics" by Michael Rabiger. You can get it at Amazon. Good luck