How to Shoot Video That Doesn't Suck: Advice to Make Any Amateur Look Like a Pro

This is an excellent, easy to read, non technical guide to getting it right when starting out making your own videos, whether for your own private consumption, YouTube or even corporate presentations. The author writes knowledgeably about filming technique using any type of camera, beit film industry pro gear or a smartphone. He deliberately avoids talking about cameras and related gear, so if that is what you are after choose another book. We all make mistakes and get things wrong when we start out, but, a quick read through this book by a leading professional in the film making world will make you think about your production in a professional way and help the budding film/video maker produce interesting watchable films. Highly recommended for the novice and a great reference for the more experienced. I keep my copy handy and dive back in regularly for advice and encouragement.

Well written direct and informative.

This book is a good starting for beginners. I highly recommend this book as a gift to a family member. It's fun and instructional.

Great book when you're a novice like me. Plenty of helpful ideas and guides that are just a few pages long. You don't need to overcomplicate things but it's wise to know what some general rules are for shooting video rather than just fumbling through. I raved about the book so much to my Dad that he ended up buying a copy as well. I still keep referring to it, just to remind me to keep things simple - but I also now have a shelf full of more in-depth titles that help for specific areas of video shooting and post production. Great starter book for anyone wishing to get better at shooting videos.

Not full of technical explanations and jargon but instead plenty of useful practical advice. It's an easy read and each chapter contains useful stuff. While reading the book more than a few times I've experienced, "oh crap I did that" moments. I'm not a pro but a serious hobbyist. I wish I had this book when I made my first video. My future videos will be better because of it.

This is a really well written book and is everything you need if you're considering putting together your first short film. If you're a fan of channels such as Film Riot and D4Darious then this is for you. It goes into detail about storyboarding and putting together shot lists and pleasingly oy has one page about the camera you should use! If you're a vlogger and are hoping this book will teach you how to shoot decent B-roll and improve your camera work, then this isn't for you.

I'm a professional video producer with a lot of TV experience so my perspective is not the same as an amateur or novice looking for advice. I bought the book to see whether the author would introduce me to anything I didn't know already; unfortunately, he did not. What I felt, though, was that this book could be quite confusing for someone relatively new to video production, seeking inside knowledge and hints. Some advice is useful - such as, 'keep your shots short' - but merely with the explanation, 'it will make your video more interesting'. This is only true to a degree. Often, you have to be patient and keep holding on a shot in case you pull out just when the most useful piece of action is about to happen. Again, there is advice on using a variety of camera angles and perspectives, with little more than the comment,' see how much more interesting it looks'. Everything you do with your camera - and, later, with editing - is aimed at interesting the viewer but you need to know why you are using particular shots, not just that it will 'be more interesting'. There is useful advice on lighting and sound but some downright misleading comments on techniques such the zoom. The author repeatedly states NEVER use a zoom. This is very bad advice, since there are many reasons to use the zoom lens facility - much too numerous to list here. And there is no mention at all of using a tripod. Not everyone will have one but it's important to know when a tripod is best, and when handheld camera operation is best. I'd suggest a novice video producer (camera operation and editing) should be cautious about buying this book. Despite it being apparently packed with professional insights, it could leave you wondering where to start.

Only part way through this, however it’s already identified a few areas I’ve been slacking in. Well written for the American market, however techniques apply in the UK. Looking good.

When people ask me the best way to learn video skills, I point them to this book. Whether you’re just starting to get into video or have video experience, Steve Stockman gives you the tools you need to create videos people will actually watch. Of course, you have to learn the skills, practice them and then implement them. First off, Steve tells you up front that this book isn’t about equipment. And that’s a good thing because you may have the latest and greatest DSLR/mirrorless camera, an old hand-me down camera or your smartphone. This is a technique and skills book. Steve breaks everything down into easy to digest chapters and succinctly explains everything. He doesn’t overwhelm you with technical jargon, but writes in everyday, understandable language. You don’t need a videography/cinematography dictionary next to you as you read this. He provides everything you really need to know to get started, or get reoriented if you’ve fallen victim to all those fancy YouTube techniques or crazy transitions. I have both the Kindle and paperback versions. If you thumb through the pages of my paperback edition, you’ll discover all the notes, highlights and underlines I’ve made in it. It’s a book I reference again and again. If you want to make videos and don’t know where to start, then start with this book. Or if you started already and need some help to cut through all the other video stuff “creators” inundate you with, then cut to the chase and get this book.

This book is alot of fun and an easy read. The problem ( not really) is youdo not want to put it down. Lots of great points and information to make your video better. As an editor and videographer for a rest many years I learned some new tips. I highly recommend this book.

Ce livre enseigne beaucoup de techniques faciles à mettre en place. Il indique aussi quoi ne pas faire, et enfin quelques techniques de pro à ne faire avant d'avoir une bonne maîtrise (par exemple bouger une caméra de manière pro s'apprend). C'est théorique et il faudra compléter avec un autre contenu pour apprendre l'édition vidéo.

Ich habe schon einige Kurzfilme gedreht und arbeite hier und da als freier Kameramann. Ich habe schon einige Fachbücher zum Thema Filmemachen gelesen. Dieses Buch wäre am besten mein erstes gewesen. Denn es behandelt wirklich alle Grundlagen, geht aber nicht auf die Technik ein was es somit zeitlos macht. Steve Stockman hat einfach Ahnung von der Materie und vermittelt diese kinderleicht. Zu empfehlen für YouTube-Anfänger oder richtige angehende Filmemacher. Erst das hier lesen und dann euren ersten Film vorbereiten, drehen und schneiden.

This is an awesome book for beginners. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to take any kind of videos, especially on your phone. No more taking videos that no one wants to watch.