The Filmmaker's Eye: Learning (and Breaking) the Rules of Cinematic Composition

This is the only book that combines conceptual and practical instruction on creating polished and eloquent images for film and video with the technical know-how to achieve them.

Loaded with hundreds of full-color examples, "The Filmmaker's Eye" is a focused, easy-to-reference guide that shows you how to become a strong visual storyteller through smart, effective choices for your shots. This book has struck a chord worldwide and is being translated into several languages

After a short introduction to basic principles, a variety of shots are deconstructed in the following format:

- Why It Works: an introduction to a particular type of shot

- How It Works: callouts point out exactly how the shot works the way it does--the visual rules and technical aspects in action

- Technical Considerations: the equipment and techniques needed to get the shot.

- Breaking the Rules: examples where the "rules" are brilliant subverted

* Make smart visual choices with this quick, focused, and visual guide to cinematic composition.

* Shows you how to master the rules, then break them.

* Includes examples and discussions from a range of international films.

Loaded with hundreds of full-color examples, "The Filmmaker's Eye" is a focused, easy-to-reference guide that shows filmmakers how to become a strong visual storyteller through smart, effective choices for their shots.

acknowledgments xi

introdution xiii

finding the frame 1

principles of composition and technique concepts 6

image system 21

extreme close up 29

close up 35

medium close up 41

medium shot 47

medium long shot 53

long shot 59

extreme long shot 65

over the shoulder shot 71

establshing shot 77

subjective shot 83

two shot 89

group shot 95

canted shot 101

emblematic shot 107

abstract shot 113

macro shot 119

zoom shot 125

pan shot 131

tilt shot 137

dolly shot 143

dolly zoom shot 149

tracking shot 155

Steadicam shot 161

crane shot 167

sequence shot 173

filmography 179

index 183