Video Shooter: Mastering Storytelling Techniques (Third Edition)

From Barry Braverman the 2nd Unit cinematographer of Moonrise Kingdom and Wes Anderson's original short subject Bottle Rocket comes Video Shooter: Mastering Storytelling Techniques, Third Edition, a new book from The Focal Press. Video Shooter is a uniquely humorous and insightful guidebook that goes beyond the equipment and shooting technicalities to instill a practical and deep appreciation for the craft of visual storytelling. In his book Braverman draws from decades of experience working on high-profile documentaries and feature films to explain the makings of a truly compelling cinematic experience and program.


To Braverman, the sharing of his knowledge and the teaching of camera craft are a humanitarian calling. This new edition features lessons based on the author's experiences leading workshops throughout the world, from New Orleans to Cairo, empowering the world's people, young and not so young, to capture and relate the most effective video stories they can for the betterment of themselves and their communities.

MY THOUGHTS

There's a lot of useful information and tips you need to know for film-making and storytelling. This edition teaches the shooter how to maintain a clear point of view and eyeline, to consider the emotional impact of lens choice and color, and how to avoid generic shots and angles. He also talks about how to identify and land your ideal job, and work successfully with ego-crazed collaborators.

Unique to the Third Edition, the book instructs the reader how to exploit the camera's capabilities to the maximum whether shooting with the world's most sophisticated 4K camcorder or a simple iPhone. The book is intended for video storytellers of all types, from event videographers to feature filmmakers, as it explores the discipline of 2D and 3D imaging and camera craft.  The reader will also learn how close-ups can drive a story, and how composition, selective focus, and simple lighting help direct the viewer's eye inside the frame. Other lessons included in this edition are:

• 3D storytelling and techniques fundamentals of image capture and stereo production with an emphasis on simple integrated one-piece 3D camcorders
• Video storytelling with DSLRs how to get the best look out of these large sensor cameras despite the compromises
• Post-camera imaging, filtering, stabilizing
• Encoding and outputting a show to the Web or DVD
• Insights into the working life of a video shooter - how to identify and land your ideal job, and work successfully with ego-crazed collaborators
• End of chapter study guides with review questions for educators

See Braverman's workshop techniques come to life in this NDTV Feature: http://bit.ly/19DNGZ9


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Barry Braverman is a cinematographer with over thirty years experience in television documentaries and feature films. His credits include Wes Anderson's MOONRISE KINGDOM (2012), THE DARJEELING LIMITED (2007), as well as National Geographic TV Specials, HBO 'First Look' and CBS News Sunday Morning. Braverman is a member of Hollywood's cinematographer guild and regularly conducts multi-day camera and video storytelling workshops around the world, most recently in South Asia, the Middle East and Africa. As an author his new book VIDEO SHOOTER 3rd Edition (2013) from Focal Press will explore the art of video storytelling with the latest 2D and 3D cameras. He lives in Studio City, CA.



Disclosure: I received a digital copy of the book in exchange of my review of this post. I was also provided info from the PR firm/Company to share. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.