The essential handbook for directors and aspiring filmmakers who want to get the best visuals for their films while establishing a collaborative relationship with their cinematographer. This is the only book that focuses exclusively on the relationship between the director and cinematographer.
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review
A Real Insider's View, November 19, 2009
By
ESW
A revealing and instructive exploration of the delicate dance which inevitably takes place between cinematographer and director, greatly enriched by the inclusion of interviews with top cinematographers. Frost sheds much needed light on the rather mysterious issue of what a cinematographer actually does. Hint: it's more than just look through the camera- much more! Fascinating sections on such subjects as the colour palette of film, lighting for genre and the inside story of how to achieve "The Look" leave the reader vastly more educated about this key craft. This book will ease the trepidation of the first time director with tons of detailed technical information, nicely broken down into easily digestible chunks and lots of insight into how the technical can be applied toward better communication. At the same time, it will deepen the knowledge base of the experienced director leading to a better collaborative process. Without question, a real gem.
First Aid for Directors, November 4, 2009
By
Deke Simon (Los Angeles, CA)
Cinematography for Directors is truly an excellent resource for directors. I have spoken with numerous DPs who, off the record, talk about how too many directors just don't know the basics of filmmaking. It's the "I work with actors...you shoot the pictures" syndrome. Often, that attitude comes from fear. "I'll make a fool of myself if I try to 'talk camera' with the DP." This book is therefore a great equalizer. It gives directors the language and insight they need to communicate with DPs. The benefits can be huge. Imagine real, productive conversations about how to get your vision across through camera and light. If as a director, you want knowledge, insight and ideas, this book will not steer you wrong.
Deke Simon, filmmaker, teacher and author, "Film & Video Budgets"
Essential information for directors from a cinematographer, October 3, 2009
By
Tony Levelle (Lower Lake, Ca United States)
Frost explains exactly what every director needs to know about cinematography.
She covers everything, including: creative collaboration, script, visual palettes (colors), lighting, genre films, lenses, and cameras. She also has a very useful chapter on classic creative collaborations in film.
As a freelance cinematographer, teacher and film industry insider, Frost knows exactly what she is talking about, and all her explanations are drawn from first-hand experience. She explains exactly how to forge a collaborative relationship between director, cinematographer and production designer. The history of film shows that this collaboration is the single best way to get the highest production value for any film. Absolutely essential information!
Although Cinematography for Directors is clearly written for professionals by a professional, Frost's explanations apply directly to low-budget films.
Any filmmaker--including documentary--can usefully use the chapters on Visual References and Color Palette. These chapters tell exactly how you can use specific color palettes to differentiate between characters or locations or time periods, to establish a specific tone or mood, or to maintain the stylistic mood of a genre.
When I asked Frost if it was possible to shoot a "decent" film with a small prosumer camera, she said "Absolutely. What really matters it is the way in which you use the camera. Shoot film style with carefully
selected shots and compositions, light it softer to avoid the harsher video look, and tell a good story. People generally don't care about format they care about story."
If I were ever to produce a film, I would make sure that my director, cinematographer and production designer all spent a day with Jacqui Frost.
Recommended for: film students, film teachers, independent filmmakers, directors, production designers, cinematographers, camera operators and anyone even remotely interested in producing an independent film.
Sheds light on every frame of cinematography., September 4, 2009
By
Gael Chandler (LA, CA)
"A cinematographer is a painter with light," writes cinematographer/producer/director/professor Jacqueline Frost. In this well-organized, well-written book, she sheds light on every phase of cinematography: From the pre-production phase when the professional connection begins between director and cinematographer through the production phase when the movie is filmed to the post production phase when the cinematographer oversees telecine, the lab, and the DI process to yield the final theater or broadcast ready show.
As a writer-editor who plans to produce her own documentary in the future, I appreciated her clear guidance from the aesthetic to the technical on lighting, blocking, film genres, and camera lenses, movements and types of cameras - film and digital - themselves. Stressing the importance of the creative collaboration between director and cinematographer, she steers the neophyte director as well as the experienced director to make the right choice in a cinematographer. Her interviews with illustrious cinematographers bolster her points.
A superb handbook from a seasoned pro who loves her calling and shares her knowledge with us via text, interviews, shots of equipment, movie frame grabs and, pictures of painting. I highly recommended this loaded book to anyone who wants to understand cinematography. Follow her guidance and you will achieve great movies.
Excellent book, extremely detailed, great read..., August 20, 2009
By
Matthew Terry (Seattle, WA USA)
The first thing I did when I decided to make my feature film was to bring in a DP. Mike was a guy I worked with backstage on some musicals and a guy I knew who was a hard worker, easy to get a long with, didn't put up with crap and someone that I could trust. I also had a chance to work with a guy who had professional lights, professional equipment and was willing to "help out." Though this other guy was available, I went with Mike because I had relationship with him. And I'll be honest with you: He taught me more than I realize.
Ms. Frost book is about those relationships. Those "getting on the same page" moments that define the film-making process. When you think about it - you need to have EVERYONE on the same page - from the sound guy, to the actor, to the home owner whose home you're abusing in the process of making your film.
What Ms. Frost does in her extremely detailed book - is give the director all the tools he or she needs to find that common ground with the Cinematographer. To get on the same page. To recognize what it is that the Director of Photography (or the guy who showed up with the really nice camera) brings to the ENTIRE process. She takes you through everything from lens choices and film stock to cameras and aspect ratios so that you have some understanding of what is going on in your DP's head to create an environment of trust and understanding. To create the magic that is film-making.
What magic? When I made my film we were filming at night a poignant scene at the loudest cemetery in Washington State (in which we had no official permission to film). We were using a consumer Canon HV20 camera. My daughter, who was on pain meds and kind of drowsy, held up a box light we purchased from Ikea - power fed by a generator 20 feet away. We got the actors in place and Mike looked through the camera. Like a kid on Christmas morning he motioned me over: "Look at this!" The shot was beautiful. It was magical. It conveyed everything I could have ever wanted in the scene. Could I have got that shot myself? I highly doubt it.
Still...what makes Jacqueline Frost's book stand out is not only the great information that she provides, but the hundreds of quotes from cinematographers about all the aspects of cinematography. This is THE book that takes you into the mind of the cinematographer and helps you, the director, become better at your craft. Excellent.
