Setting Up Your Shots: Great Camera Moves Every Filmmaker Should Know

Very good book that any film student or person who wants to know and learn about cinematographic language is a great option. Great quality of the material and printing of the sheets, meets expectations. Although it is an edition from a few years ago, what is valuable is the information.

Definitely a book to read, it's widescreen format is kinda cool too. Everything about this book is nice, it's jam packed with real world explanations of shots and even has storyboards to accompany the writing too which I find extremely helpful. Moving on... The Contents are comprised of eight Main Chapters and a hundred and fifty four Sub Chapters for example: Basic Cinematic Techniques.........................1 <Main Chapter> Pan..............................................................2 <Sub Chapter> Tilt...............................................................3 " Dolly............................................................4 " Not to mention over three hundred Movies as reference, fantastic illustrations! I use this sometimes when I'm out in the field and most of the time in studio. Again there is all aspects being shown not just Principal photography but Basic Cinematic Techniques, Composition Techniques, Crane Techniques, Movement of Camera, Perspective, Camera Techniques, Editing that's just some of the meat and potatoes under the hood of this hot rod SHOTS book. Trust me you won't be disappointed in getting this book for on the shelf or take it with you on the go in your back pack or briefcase. This book might not be by my side at the computer but I definitely keep it a few feet away on my reference bookshelf....ha ha ha. Five Stars.

This is a simple, straightforward lesson in storyboarding films. The simplicity is its strength. You could keep it open as you storyboard to help make your film a strong visual story. It’s not full of unusual nuances, styles or tricks but presents clear cut visualizations to learn and use.

"Setting Up Your Shots" is a good entry-level book for filmmakers. It's all about what shot is best to tell the story and convey an idea to the audience. Each page of the book has a different type of "shot" that is used in filmmaking. This includes common shots like Pan, Tilt, Zoom, Pull Focus, etc. But it also includes shots that are rarely used, yet could be useful for a certain dramatic or stylistic effect. Some moves require cranes or other equipment, but most can be done either handheld or with a tripod. All types of camera techniques are discussed, as well as some common editing techniques thrown in for good measure. Each technique only gets one page, and the text does not get too in-depth. Fortunately, most pages include a sketch/illustration which gives you a visual example of the shot being described. The two best ways to learn about filmmaking are to: (1) watch great films, and (2) just go out and start shooting! This book embraces both of the ideas above. Included with each shot/camera technique is an example of 2-3 films that used that technique. The author does a good job selecting films/scenes that effectively used each type of shot - he recommends classics like The Third Man, Citizen Kane, Rear Window, etc... but he also cites many contemporary films such as The Matrix, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Departed. Finally, the author suggests "Exercises" that you can do to increase your knowledge of cinematography... these range from simple observation exercises to actually picking up a camera and practicing these shots. The best way to learn these shots is to try them out yourself. I would say that if you want to work in Film/TV as a director or cinematographer, this book is a great entry into visual storytelling. This book is too simple for enthusiasts or professionals, but if you are a beginner then it will be an adequate resource for you without being too overwhelming.

I bought this book to review my shots--and to give my fellow producer/director a quick education in terms and shot design. The book is very good, giving 2 page briefs on various types of shots, including a list of films to look for them in, and a storyboard to show how the shot proceeds. the list of places where the particular shot has been used is especially nice, as it lets you go to the library of films and see how a shot works. It is in a fairly large and somewhat awkward format being wider than it is high--it's better to keep this one in the office or at home to scan when thinking than to take out in the field--a field book would be nice, as it could be used to explain shots to the actors/subjects (I'm shooting a documentary and jargon is Greek to most people.)

The one I bought a year ago still fills the bill. Just don't want to be caught with a dead player. I've used it EVERY NIGHT since then Feb 2021. Each new one has more features than the last. But needless to say, those features go largely unused. I see reviews about music selections not being listed alphabetically. Whoop-De-Do! My audio books are, but even if they were not, it's the best inexpensive, quality player for me. Must, add, however, that I do have a few video clips of some interests and they play excellent. Seems loaded with features tho as I say they are of little value to me. Can't wait till 2023 model!

I have to admit that I got a real laugh out of all the haters out there who panned this book - and in many cases disparaged the author. I am a professional filmmaker ( I actually make a living making movies) and over the years I have often turned to this book for ideas that I may have forgotten or overlooked. It's a simple book with lots of pictures and references to movies so the reader can see the shots in action. The author did an honest job of presenting many common shots (and some not-so-common shots) in a simple easy to understand format. But do understand that this is a BASIC book - and some terminology may be off a bit off. This book shows all the "great camera moves every filmmaker should know" but keep in mind that there are an infinite number of camera moves and no book or film class can show them all (and more are invented everyday). That said, this book is worth having as a reference especially if you're new to filmmaking or even when storyboarding a project . To all the haters out there - GET A LIFE !!!!

This book taught me everything I needed to know about setting up my shots -- specifically loved the chapters about how to position your camera for great shots. This book should really serve as a comprehensive guide that every filmmaker should know. Me and my college classmates all had to get this book and we all found it very useful.