a good book on the technical side of filmmaking?

Sat Feb 23, 2008 3:53 am

hi,

Im an absolute beginner to making films on celluloid, im very passionate about it though, and would really like to know if anyone could suggest a good book for beginners, or thats very complete either way on technical information, such as cameras, film stock, projectors, editing, stuff like that, mainly looking to use super-8 at the moment. I know i could probably find it on the internet, but looking at something on the internet is nothing like holding a book in your hands (like, as im sure some of you will agree, watching a film from a 35mm print in a cinema is nothing like a copy on dvd)

Thanks a lot,
Adam

Post by **steve hyde** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 4:02 am

Welcome.

Focal Press is a good place to start:

http://www.focalpress.com/

Steve

Post by **Rick Palidwor** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 4:11 am

The Filmmakers Handbook by Pincus and Ascher is an excellent book, has been a bible for a few decades and is continually updated. Look for a recent edition that includes digital developments.
Rick

Post by **Patrick** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 4:17 am

There's also 'The Book of Movie Photography' by David Cheshire. Very comprehensive with an emphasis on super 8 equipment.

Website · Post by **BigBeaner** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 4:38 am

Books are great but they all seem way too similar after awhile. Experiment, ask questions here. This is a great website from a forum member: http://home.pacbell.net/mnyberg/super8mm/

If you need a book then just get 2-3. This one is great and was already suggested: http://www.amazon.com/Filmmakers-Handbo ... 20_rsrsrs0

This is pretty technical: http://www.amazon.com/American-Cinemato ... 769&sr=1-1

I usually just consult the ASC manual as the other technical ones just blend together and don't offer much new info to me.

Post by **Jim Carlile** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 4:46 am

The best!

Independent Film Making, by Lenny Lipton.

You can find it everywhere. Just about every used book store has about ten copies of it, library book sales, yard sales, whatever. The first edition, with the hippies on the cover, is my favorite.

Post by **sk360** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 5:13 am

I'd also pick up a good book or two on photography. Advance Photography by Michael Landford and The Masters Lighting Guide by Christopher Grey are two of my favorites. I would also take a look at The Set Lighting Handbook by Harrry C. Box. Its mostly related grip and electric procedures, but dose cover alot about cinematograhy and lighting for the set.

Post by **super8man** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 5:16 am

Was the SUPER 8 HANDBOOK mentioned? Also, GAF had a few early primers on super 8 shooting and holding a camera, etc.

There are lists out there...and when you go searching, be sure to use http://www.abebooks.com and http://www.bookfinder.com to get the cheapest used book prices online. Amazon.com can also be a place to check.

Post by **StoneBuilder** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 7:39 am

http://www.amazon.com/Painting-Light-Jo ... 0520089499 - This is also a GoogleBook and shows up on ebaY often ...

Post by **Jim Carlile** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 8:52 am

My favorite Super 8 book is The Handbook of Super 8 Production, by Mark Mikolas and Gunther Hoos. It's kind of hard to find but worth the search. There are two editions, both are worth looking at. It's big and chock full of stuff.

That newish Super 8 book from England looks pretty good, too. What was its name, something with 'blue' in the title?

There was supposed to be a new Focal book on Super 8. It was in their catalog and even had an ISBN number but it never seemed to make it....

Post by **Blue Audio Visual** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 9:57 am

Jim Carlile wrote:That newish Super 8 book from England looks pretty good, too. What was its name, something with 'blue' in the title?

It was called "The Blue Corners Super8 Filmmaker's Guide" by Giles Musitano. There definitely aren't any more new copies floating around however, as the last print run was done pretty much 10 years ago, and it sold out completely.

Post by **ronnoco** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 10:39 am

I have a couple of great super 8 books I acquired from ebay

The Home Movie Makers Handbook...Lutterworth Press
Consulting editor : Christopher Wordsworth
Loads of other contributors

(published 1979)

Illustrated in colour ...318 wonderful pages

This is a truly comprehensive manual that covers every aspect of filming using super 8 equipment ...fantastic find for me.

I also have

The Super 8 Book by Lenny Lipton...again a great resource for the super 8 film maker (published 1975)

Sat Feb 23, 2008 2:37 pm

thats great, thank you all so much for your help!
adam

YouTube · Post by **Clapton Pond** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 4:26 pm

Lots more suggestions here:

viewtopic.php?t=18308

ian

Post by **hdvbymg** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 11:42 pm

Patrick wrote:There's also 'The Book of Movie Photography' by David Cheshire. Very comprehensive with an emphasis on super 8 equipment.

I used to own this one. It is wonderful and very well illustrated, probably more valuable as interesting and pleasing read.

Another one is called the Handbook of Super 8 Production by Miklos and Hoos. It was the best technical guide on the subject. Foolishly I sold both.