The Bare Bones Camera Course for Film and Video

by Tom Schroeppel

Author's Preface: "This book explains, as simply as possible, how to shoot usable images on film, tape and other media. If you are, or plan to be, a cameraperson, I suggest you read your camera's operator's manual in addition to this book. When you understand both, you should be able to go out and shoot footage that works. If you're not interested in becoming a cameraperson, but simply want to better understand how the camera is used, no additional reading is required. Just relax and enjoy the book."

Genres: Film, Nonfiction, School, Art

89 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1982

About the author

My books are based on my own years of experience as a writer, director, cameraman and editor. If you're interested in the history behind my books, filmmaker and teacher Paul Harrill did an interview with me on his Self-Reliant Filmmaking blog: http://www.selfreliantfilm.com

Reviews

[Vance Mellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though this book is simple, with very simple illustrations--almost child like illustrations--it is a fantastic overview of only the very most essential things a person needs to know to become a decent film or video Maker.

Every time I go out to work on a film I review this very short book and remind myself of all the essentials of film making. Once read, it can be quickly skimmed in under two hours.

Buy the simple book and combine your reading with visits to Great museums, many hours of looking at books of photography, and many MORE HOURS awatching AFI's "Top 100 films of all times, and through the simple process of artsy ozmosis, your composition, lighting, colorization, framing, and everything related to the aesthetics of filmmaking will be improved. Then do carefully planned storyboards, and then exactly detailed script, visualizing the film clearly in your skull and with all this loving effort you may actually make a great film!

Most of the great films throughout history had very little fancy crap in them. Very few zooms, dollies or crane shots. While this book reviews all those toys and tools and tricks for shooting well, it shines in its simple coverage of how to set up shots, basic lighting, and the shooting of a good film sequence. Doesn't cover how to edit it together. The Best way to learn that is to shoot and edit a BUNCH of short films. Better editing provides for better shooting, which then provides for better editing, etc etc ad infinitum.

Barebones also covers all the basic things that you would never imagine that go into the filmmaking process such as "crossing the line."

A must-read, and a great film school classic, sold out of the filmmaker's own garage for many decades.

This newest edition also includes a great deal of new information related to digital filmmaking, that moves beyond the basics of 16-mm filmmaking or videography, which was the standard when this book first came out.

The author is kept up with the times, and new technologies.

Get this book! It's cheap and very well worth the price for all the information you need to at least get started with shooting the next great filmic masterpiece.

[Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this one. It is exactly what the title promises—a simple, stripped-down approach to the fundamentals of film and video. The explanations are clear and not weighed down with jargon, which makes it easy to absorb and put into practice. I liked how it focuses on the essentials without overcomplicating things, though if you already have some background you may find it a little too basic. Still, as a refresher or a beginner’s guide, it does the job well and makes filmmaking feel approachable and doable to the beginner.

[Miller Craycraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

For all those starting a hobby, future film students, or simply those intrigued in film, read this. This is a book that takes concepts in Film Composition that might be hard to explain and pairs it with drawings that a middle schooler could understand. It's like using google translate in a language you don't even know how to say "hello" in.

[Tiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. The concepts are clearly presented and all the basics are covered. Some starter projects to practice the concepts in the book are also included. I plan to use this book with my high school beginning film students.

[Tori BookWorm22 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to read this for my film class, but definitely one of the better books I've read specifically for class. The language is kind of dumbed down and there are countless pictures and drawings to illustrate the difficult and sometimes confusing elements discussed with the book.

[Juliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book that breaks down everything you need to know about getting into camera/film work. It was also very simplified with pictures which I appreciated! I would also say even for people that are experienced, this book is a good quick reference when needed.

[Plish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for class.
Nice and simple. If only other professors could start assigning books like this. It avoided all the pitfalls of instructional books. Like the long and needless rambling. It really was the bare bones. The illustrations were cute and helpful. I enjoyed reading this.

[Preety Bhardwaj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica Lee Gagne is a menace. If we’re not careful, she’ll inspire a whole generation of film girlies. What will happen to the male domination then, I ask you?!?
(This book is A+ 10/10 no notes GOATED. Get it!)

[Cecilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely valuable filmmaking advice + exercises

[Dallin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for work. A quick study and very insightful on the basics of images and video.

[ipadexclusive · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful and very handy!

[David Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I got the original edition it was thin and it reminded you of the Anarchist cookbook. Like the cookbook it offered no nonsense instructions. This edition is a pocket book thicker still great.

[David Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great starting point

[Eva Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*

[Nina]

read for school

[Sally Kong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative and fun and easy to read overview of the technical essentials for film making!

[Daniel Gaddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything it claims to be: a simple, straightforward crash course on basic film recording.

[Dustin Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for beginners

[Andrew H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok, I learned a few things (I guess).

Just so glad for it to be over! 😀

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

--f/stop = size of hole (smaller hole = less light & more depth of field)
--iso = speed of film (low = better quality, high = less light)
--composition (rule of thirds / leading looks / balance / colour balance / angles / natural frames / leading lines / backgrounds) ["see the wires before you take the picture")
--sequence (establish shot / medium / close up / cutaways / don't jump cut [change angles and size] / cutting on the action / clean entrance & exit)
--don't break line (unless you stop on it / watch it turn / turn camera / with reference / with action)
--issues re: interview two-backgrounds ["nothing exists for the viewer except what you show him."]
--pan (lead with something), zoom (to importance), tilt (reveal something)
--begin and end every move with well-composed static shot
--move from uncomfortable position to comfortable
--on combined moves, start with pan/tilt before zoom
--montage (each shot is different)
--always think lighting/shadows
--focusing quartz (spot & flood) / broadlight / softlight [barn doors]
--key light -> fill light -> back light -> background light (a little darker each step / keep lights high / away from walls /
--make a habit of slates
--shoot out of sequence if need be

1) decide what story you want
2) film all in wide, then medium, then close-up, the cutaways. (or don't be a nub)

[dc craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

My edition of this workbook-like text is the 31st, which surely is some measure of its success. Any money Tom Schroeppel is making on this (and I hope it's a lot) is well-deserved: The reader is neither confused by excessive terminology or baffled by the over-complication of what (Schroeppel reveals) are beautifully simple techniques needed to make decent videos. The language is simple yet concise, diagrams and illustrations are reduced to the minimum of necessary detail (there are no photos which might contain irrelevant visual information). Even the presentation is reductionist, to the point of irony: The text uses courier typeface and the cover is the colour of kraft paper, giving it the feel of a working field manual.

'Bare Bones' was a reread for me: I needed to confirm whether or not the text is able to compete with the multitude of distractions to which the high-school-student mind is prey. I find that it is, and imagine my students will be able to approach film-making with the type of confidence that Schroeppel's work gave to me not so long ago.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever anyone I know is interested in what I do (I'm a filmmaker), or interested in getting into filmmaking themselves, I always point them towards this book. Tom Schroeppel simplifies every aspect of film production, all without making the reader feel dumb or lost. While it is "bare bones" as the title suggests, there is nothing left uncovered, and you will leave this book knowing all the basics there are to know.

[Laura Ann Tull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice simplistic over veiw of the basics of a film shoot, from the 180 rule to the basic lighting set up. Well done. I would highly recomend this to any person considering starting a film career or shooting a movie or documentary.

[Snuf · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a must for inexperienced film makers. Covers all the basics with easy to follow chapters and kindergarten style diagrams.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, sweet, practical when beginning. Loved it in my early/mid teens.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great refresher for video and photography concepts, especially lighting and composition. Quick read and the simple format and images get right to the point.

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent primer

[Judy Naylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, clear explanations. Illustrations are very helpful. I really enjoy using this book.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

The economy of the book is amazing - direct and clear and packed with well organized information. Illustrations looks like they were drawn by a child, but they work and it's kind of charming.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book which covers the basics of video production. My students can expect to see examples from this book brought into the classroom.