How to Shoot Video That Doesn't Suck: Advice to Make Any Amateur Look Like a Pro

Product Description Newly updated and revised, How to Shoot Video That Doesnt Suck is a quick and easy guide that will make your video better instantlywhether you read it cover to cover or just skim a few chapters. Its about the language of video and how to think like a director, regardless of equipment (amateurs think about the camera, pros think about communication). Its about the rules developed over a century of movie-makingwhich work just as well when shooting a two-year-olds birthday party on your phone. Written by Steve Stockman, the director of the award-winning feature Two Weeks, plus TV shows, music videos, and hundreds of commercials, How to Shoot Video That Doesnt Suck explains in 74 short, pithy, insightful chapters how to tell a story and entertain your audience. In other words, how to shoot video people will want to watch. Heres how to think in shotshow to move-point-shoot-stop-repeat, instead of planting yourself in one spot and pressing Record for five minutes. Why never to shoot until you see the whites of your subjects eyes. Why to zoom with your feet and not the lens. How to create intrigue on camera. The book covers the basics of video production: framing, lighting, sound (use an external mic), editing, special effects (turn them off!), and gives advice on shooting a variety of specific situations: sporting events, parties and family gatherings, graduations and performances. Plus, how to make instructional and promotional videos, how to make a music video, how to capture stunts, and much more. At the end of every chapter is a suggestion of how to immediately put what youve learned into practice, so the next time youre shooting youll have begun to master the skill. Steves website (stevestockman.com) provides video examples to illustrate different production ideas, techniques, and situations, and his latest thoughts on all things video. Amazon.com Review "Like two years of film school in 248 pages" - Steven Pressfield, author of "The War of Art" and "The Legend of Bagger Vance""Stockman has packed a veritable film school between the pages of this highly informative, yet entertaining book. Very highly recommended."Videomaker Magazine"Great tips from a video expert."PC World "Whip-smart and funny... teaches readers how to think about film and reveals the why and when behind techniques; there is next to zero tech or tool talk."Library Journal "His simple-to-follow guide takes readers step-by-step through the film- and video-making process"Kirkus Reviews Stockman skipped past all the technical crap about how to use a camera and cut right to the chase: how do you shoot a video somebody else will WANT to watch? The only thing missing is a time machine so I could reshoot fifteen years of sucky birthday party and school play videos.--David A. Goodman, Executive Producer/Head Writer of Family Guy From the Author My hope is that anyone, at any level, can open the book anywhere and get a great idea for their next video.IF YOU'RE BRAND NEW, this book will start you thinking about how to communicate with an audience. Your videos will be more fun to watch-- for your friends, your relatives, and even for you. It will help you make video you'll be really proud to share.MORE EXPERIENCED VIDEOGRAPHERS will find chapters on critical principles like storytelling, structure, emotion and composition-- plus exercises you can practice to improve your video skills.IF YOU'RE A PRO, you'll still find enough advanced ideas to make it worth the price of admission. Hell, when I flip through the book I find things I wish I'd remembered on last week's shoot (Because there's so much good stuff here, I'd like to think-- but it could just be failing memory.)Check out my blog (stevestockman.com) for more on shooting video that doesn't suck! About the Author Steve Stockman is a producer, writer and director of over 200 commercials, short films, web series, music videos, and

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