The Filmmaker's Eye Learning (and breaking) the rules of cinematic composition by Gustavo Mercado Paperback Book 9780240812175

The Filmmaker's Eye learning (and breaking) the rules of cinematic composition #9780240812175 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.

Reviews
"Gustavo Mercado's beautiful book reveals the inner workings of the basic shots that create the cinematic experience. He reveals how visuals communicate to an audience. If you're a novice filmmaker or a seasoned professional, this book will broaden your visual horizons."

• Bruce Block, film producer, author of The Visual Story, and visual consultant whose credits include The Holiday, Something's Gotta Give, Stuart Little, and Pretty in Pink
  "Mercado's book is a great resource for aspiring cinematographers.Using a brilliant selection of images, both classic and contemporary, he eloquently analyzes the conception and execution of a shot. Most important, he manages to explain how to achieve an aesthetically beautiful image, while giving equal weight to the powerful role of cinematography in portraying the characters and telling the story."
• Florian Ballhaus, cinematographer whose credits include The Devil Wears Prada, Marley and Me, Flightplan
  
  Contents acknowledgments xi
  introduction 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
  establishing 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