Cinematography: Theory and Practice, Second Edition: Image Making for Cinematographers and Directors by Blain Brown
The world of cinematography has changed more in the last few years than it has since it has in 1929, when sound recording was introduced. New technology, new tools and new methods have revolutionized the art and craft of telling stories visually. While some aspects of visual language, lighting and color are eternal, shooting methods, workflow and cameras have changed radically. Even experienced film artists have a need to update and review new methods and equipment. These change affect not only the director of photography but also the director, the camera assistants, gaffers, and digital imaging technicians.
Cinematography: Theory and Practice covers both the artistry and craftsmanship of cinematography and visual storytelling. Few art forms are as tied to their tools and technology as is cinematography. Take your mastery of these new tools, techniques, and roles to the next level with this cutting-edge roadmap from author and filmmaker Blain Brown.
Whether you are a student of filmmaking, just breaking into the business, currently working in the industry and looking to move up to the next level, or an experienced professional who wants to update their knowledge of tools and techniques, this book provides both a basic introduction to these issues as well as more advanced and in-depth coverage of the subject.
The companion website features additional material, including lighting demonstrations, basic methods of lighting, using diffusion and other topics.
Topics Include:
- Visual language
- Visual storytelling
- Continuity and coverage
- Cameras and digital sensors
- Exposure techniques for film and video
- Color in-depth
- Understanding digital images
- Waveform monitors, vectorscopes, and test charts
- Using linear, gamma, and log encoded video
- Image control and grading on the set
- The tools and basics of film lighting
- ASC-CDL, ACES and other new methods
- Optics and focus
- Camera movement
- Set operations
- Green screen, high speed and other topics
Focal Press Book: Set Lighting Technician’s Handbook: Film Lighting Equipment, Practice, & Electrical Distribution (Fourth Edition)
Comprehensive, detailed and practical, the fourth edition of the Set Lighting Technician's Handbook: Film Lighting Equipment, Practice, and Electrical Distribution from Focal Press is a friendly, hands-on manual covering the day-to-day practices, equipment, and tricks of the trade essential for anyone implementing motion picture lighting, including the lamp operator, rigging crew, gaffer, best boy, or director of photography. This handbook offers a wealth of practical technical information, useful techniques, as well as aesthetic discussions.
The Set Lighting Technician's Handbook focuses on what is important when working on-set: trouble-shooting, teamwork, set protocol, and safety. It describes tricks and techniques for operating a vast array of lighting equipment including LEDs, xenon lights, camera synchronous strobes, black lights, underwater units, lighting effects units, and many others. Since its first edition, this handy on-set reference continues to be widely adopted as an instruction manual by union training programs as well as top university film production curriculums.
About the Author: Harry C. Box has worked in television and motion picture production since 1989. Over the years he has performed substantial work as a lighting technician, gaffer, camera operator, director of photography, and as an educator. His recent credits include network and cable television series, such as Heroes (NBC), Brothers and Sisters (ABC), and Everybody Hates Chris (CW). He has worked on major motion pictures, independent feature films, telefilms, documentaries, music videos, commercials, and industrial productions.
New to the Fourth Edition
- Detailed information on LED technology and gear
- Harmonized with union safety and training procedures
- All the latest and greatest DMX gadgets, including remote control systems
- Details on how to use and troubleshoot many new and useful lights
- New additions to the arsenal of electrical distribution equipment that make our sets safer and easier to power
- More rigging tricks and techniques
- The same friendly, easy to read style that made the original version of this book so popular
Contents
- Preface
- Companion Website
- Acknowledgements
- Chapter 1 - Set Basics: Your First Barbecue
- Chapter 2 - Pre-production Planning: Lighting Package, Expendables and Personal Tools
- Chapter 3 - Light Fixtures:The Basic Tungsten Lighting Arsenal
- Chapter 4 - Stands & Rigging
- Chapter 5 - Lighting Objectives & Methods
- Chapter 6 - Manipulating Light: Tools, Techniques, and the Behavior of Light
- Chapter 7 - Electrician's Set Protocol
- Chapter 8 - Light Fixtures: The HMI Arsenal
- Chapter 9 - Fluorescent Lights
- Chapter 10 - LED Lights
- Chapter 11 - Lighting Control: Control Networks, Moving Lights, Advanced Devices, and Computer
- Applications in Lighting
- Chapter 12 - Electricity
- Chapter 13 - Distribution & Dimming Equipment
- Chapter 14 - Working with Electrical Power
- Chapter 15 - Electrical Rigging
- Chapter 16 - Power Sources
- Chapter 17 - Special Circumstances and Practices
- Chapter 18 - Specialty Lighting Equipment
- Appendix A: Photometric Calculations & Tables
- Appendix B: Lamp Tables
- Appendix C: Flicker-Free Frame Rates
- Appendix D: Electrical Tables
- Appendix E: IP & NEMA Equipment Ratings
- Appendix F: Equipment Suppliers & Manufacturers
- Appendix G: Lighting Equipment Order Checklist
- Appendix H: Expendables Checklist
- Appendix I: Gels & Diffusions
- Glossary
- Index
