Digital Video Secrets: What the Pros Know and the Manuals Don't Tell You

100 simple secrets of shooting digital video that "everyone knows" but no one tells you. This is a "little book" for every first-time filmmaker's camera bag. It is filled with practical easy-to-read how-to information. As the complexity and resolution of modern digital video cameras increases, the line between professional and consumer features is increasingly blurred. With a modern "consumer camera" the owner faces "professional" decisions every time he shoots. This book simplifies these decisions, and shows the first-time filmmaker how to get the most out of these marvelous new cameras.

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review




Lots of Great Useful Tips!, November 19, 2009
By ESW
This book is like having a mentor right on set with you relaying, step by step, insider secrets and key production tips which might otherwise take years to learn. How to choose a camera with customized points for the film student, the independent filmmaker, the documentary filmmaker, etc: this is just one example of author Tony Levelle's depth and breadth of knowledge. Learning how to see with the camera and how to operate the camera by touch; exploring the most effective ways to shoot a wedding, a sporting event and how to shoot in the rain- this noteworthy level of attention to detail is one the book's great strengths. Interestingly, the book also has a set of unspoken lessons about the importance of patience, of keeping track of the details, of the attitude you bring to production, which only makes it more valuable for both beginner and pro.



Straight from the hip, how to shoot video, October 27, 2009
By R. F. Rynkowski (Albuquerque, NM USA)
As a new videographer and an old still photographer of 40 years, I searched extensively for a clear cut step by step guide to shooting video. Well, here it is! I bought it, read it, and use it's suggestions. Most books tend to get into the more commercial aspects of models, crews, producers, directors, and editors, but as a husband and wife team doing simple travel videos, and editing them ourselves, this book fits the bill. It soon becomes clear you just don't shoot and show like most of the YouTube amateur hack videos you see, but it's shoot, edit, shoot more, edit, shoot more, and edit to get it down to a fifteen minute or less show. Even Tony Levelle's mini assignments throughout the book are really helpful. From suggected equipment, pre-shooting tasks, the shots you need, on site shooting, and putting it all together it's here, and like Tony says, "everything happens in a sequence." If you want to start shooting video the right way, without a big production crew, "Digital Video Secrets" will show you the way. This great book is a step by step how to shoot video guide, with mini-assignments, that lead you through the maze to your final video masterpiece.



A wonderful way to get started, July 5, 2009
By Ed Dalton
I have never done any serious video, but now I have grandchildren and I would like to shoot some meaningful videos for family use. I wouldn't know where to begin if I had only a user manual to go by. A friend recommended this book and I was amazed at how simple it was to understand, while still providing a lot of specific guidelines at every stage. I think I could do a credible job now, even on my first few tries.



Good Outline of Topics, Nothing More, June 22, 2009
By Charles C. Connor (Oak Ridge, TN)
The title is completely misleading. There are no secrets here. This book contains a good outline that can be used as a checklist of things to do, things to know, and things not to do. Each topic has from two sentences to a page of descriptive content. If you want to know the details of how to do anything recommended in the book, you will need to go to other sources. Its more like a detailed outline or summary for a course in digital video. It's not that it's bad, you just need to know what it is and what it isn't. Don't buy the book expecting to get details on any procedure.



VERY clear and easy to follow...EXCELLENT resource, February 9, 2009
By Matthew Luotto (Menlo Park, CA)
Accessible and easy to understand yet comprehensive. I'm a professional cameraman (documentaries) and I learned a few things. Good job! This book made me realize that I have spent WAY too much time learning things the hard way... this is the shortcut to shopping for video equipment and producing good work without the agony of trial and error.

PS: I saw an early version of the book and suggested a few changes, which Tony quickly implemented.