Directing the Camera: How Professional Directors Use a Moving Camera to Energize Their Films

While doing prep work for my first two feature films I read many books and articles about the importance of camera movement in regards to creating your vision as a director. This book by Gil Bettman will undoubtedly serve as my camera movement bible for my third feature (and fourth, fifth…). What Bettman manages to do in this book is convey not only why we move the camera, but HOW best to move the camera given the circumstances of the scene.Having made my first two features independently, I know just how expensive a great camera move can be, and how in the world of independent filmmaking you need to “get your money’s worth” out of every camera move you decide to make. The first half of this book focuses on ways to seamlessly create professional and intelligent camera moves that can enhance the quality of any film, whether it is a big budget blockbuster like “Saving Private Ryan” or a simple YouTube video. Throughout his book Bettman reiterates that these camera moves are what audiences have come to expect, and without them your product can seem cheap or poorly made.The second half of the book focuses on directing action sequences. Personally I’ve never directed an action sequence, but there’s no denying that the visual eye candy in the action genre is a major reason as to why audiences keep breaking out their wallets to go to theaters to see these movies. More importantly for me, there was plenty to take from this section that could go into any genre, from comedy straight through to drama and horror. This section focuses on lens choice and story-boarding a great deal, and being cognitive as to what your audience is going to see is something that’s paramount to all genres.Finally, if you’re worried about this book being too technical or wordy, don’t fear! The book plays out like a straightforward lecture. There’s no excess fat, no talking in circles, and no words you won’t understand. It’s a smart book, but it exists to teach. And it excels at doing so.

I am not a DOP so I cannot comment from that point of view however from a Directing point of view I think its this book is invaluable. The set out could have been a laid a bit better and the illustrations are adequate but the general content is excellent.

Some interesting insights backed up with clips to actual scenes from real movies that are analyzed and broken down in the book. I learnt quite a bit. A book I will probably re-read a few times until it all becomes automatic. Nice hints for teachers as well.

Straight forward easy to apply information.

Long story short, I recommend this book, you will find a lot of useful information on directing cameras. But the techniques and rules mentioned are more on the surface and lack of depth in terms of building the design of camera movements upon your materials.

I highly recommend this book for any serious student of film. And if you are a film lover, then you should get this book.

excellent book, I came in very good condition, I recommend it for people quew study film and television remain very happy ... thank you

This is a must read for anyone aspiring to work with a camera.

The concepts are fine and well illustrated, except the pictures are not clear because they are printed on photocopy paper, from Wordery, and whoever is writing doesn't know anything about 35mm film camera lenses, which creates a credibility problem, and of course there is no index.

Un número uno. Es ideal si se tiene el vídeo en el que que el autor, basándose en el libro, hace una explicación en directo. Es genia. Recomendado.

Great read. Very informative.

I DID NOT READ IT YET