Best comprehensive book for ACing

[Patrick Kaplin]

So what would be the best comprehensive manual that you guys would suggest for an aspiring AC? I've seen many listed on amazon, but what's your personal suggestion?

 

Christmas is coming :-)

[David Regan]

Doug Hart's book should cover you pretty well. And the ASC manual is something anyone should probably have.

[Chris Keth]

There's also David Elkins' book. Either of those two would work fine. Definitely get the ASC manual. It's expensive but very useful.

[Rory Hanrahan]

The ASC manual is a given. You have no excuse for not buying it, especially since its price has dropped down to ~$55 in its paperback form. There's a wealth of knowledge inside. Read a chapter before bed every night, then go into work and spew out your new knowledge of matte paintings, shooting plates and rear projection. You're AC nerd merit badge should arrive in 4-6 weeks.

 

I suggest both Hart's and Elkin's books. They compliment each other, reinforce each other and even (occasionally) contradict each other. Spend the "low-budget, we know we're paying you nothing but the food will be good" day-rate and order all 3 books ASAf'nP.

[Brian Dzyak]

I'll recommend mine!

 

The first five chapters explain the entire business so that you have perspective on the arena you're getting into. Then the Camera Department section details the particulars of what life is really like for someone as he/she works through each job and up the ladder and the relationship the department has with everyone else on set. The "how-to" books are very important and What I Really Want to Do: On Set in Hollywood puts it all in context that you can't learn in any way besides being there. While it is necessary to know how to do your own job, the more you know about what everyone else is doing, the better you'll be.

 

Go to www.whatireallywanttodo.com for more information about that PLUS a lot more information about the entire industry (Resources), the most comprehensive list of schools worldwide (over 700!) available anywhere, Film festivals, and Union information.

 

 

I'd also recommend these (in no particular order):

 

Camera Assistant, The: A Complete Professional Handbook (Hardcover)

by Douglas Hart (Author)

Product Details

Hardcover: 421 pages

Publisher: Focal Press (December 27, 1995)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0240800427

ISBN-13: 978-0240800424

 

The Camera Assistant's Manual, Fourth Edition (Paperback)

by David E. Elkins s.o.c. (Author)

Product Details

Paperback: 512 pages

Publisher: Focal Press; 4 edition ( January 28, 2005 )

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0240805585

ISBN-13: 978-0240805580

 

Masters of Light: Conversations with Contemporary Cinematographers (Paperback)

by Dennis Schaefer

Product Details

Paperback: 368 pages

Publisher: University of California Press (January 22, 1986)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0520053362

ISBN-13: 978-0520053366

 

Women Behind the Camera: Conversations with Camerawomen (Paperback)

by Alexis Krasilovsky (Author)

Product Details

Paperback: 248 pages

Publisher: Praeger Paperback (April 30, 1997)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0275957454

ISBN-13: 978-0275957452

 

Film Lighting (Paperback)

by Kris Malkiewicz (Author)

Product Details

Paperback: 198 pages

Publisher: Fireside (August 11, 1986)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0671766341

ISBN-13: 978-0671766344

 

Painting With Light (Paperback)

by John Alton

Product Details

Paperback: 191 pages

Publisher: University of California Press (May 18, 1995)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0520089499

ISBN-13: 978-0520089495

 

Cinematography: Image Making for Cinematographers, Directors, and Videographers (Paperback)

by Blain Brown (Author)

Product Details

Paperback: 303 pages

Publisher: Focal Press; 1 edition (October 2002)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0240805003

ISBN-13: 978-0240805009

 

Motion Picture and Video Lighting, Second Edition (Paperback)

by Blain Brown

Product Details

Paperback: 272 pages

Publisher: Focal Press; 2 edition ( September 14, 2007 )

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0240807634

ISBN-13: 978-0240807638

 

The Five C's of Cinematography: Motion Picture Filming Techniques (Paperback)

by Joseph V. Mascelli

Product Details

Paperback: 251 pages

Publisher: Silman-James Press; 1st Silman-James Press Ed edition (June 1998)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 187950541X

ISBN-13: 978-1879505414

 

Cinematography: Third Edition (Paperback)

by Kris Malkiewicz (Author), M. David Mullen (Author)

Product Details

Paperback: 272 pages

Publisher: Fireside; 3 edition ( June 21, 2005 )

Language: English

ISBN-10: 074326438X

ISBN-13: 978-0743264389

 

Matters of Light & Depth (Paperback)

by Ross Lowell

Product Details

Paperback: 224 pages

Publisher: Lower Light Management (April 1, 1999)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0966250400

ISBN-13: 978-0966250404

 

Lighting for Film and Digital Cinematography (with InfoTrac ) (Paperback)

by Dave Viera (Author), Maria Viera (Author)

Product Details

Paperback: 288 pages

Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing; 2 edition ( July 2, 2004 )

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0534264980

ISBN-13: 978-0534264987

 

Lighting for Digital Video & Television, Second Edition (Paperback)

by John Jackman (Author)

Product Details

Paperback: 280 pages

Publisher: CMP Books; 2 edition ( January 9, 2004 )

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1578202515

ISBN-13: 978-1578202515

 

Cinematography (Paperback)

by Kris Malkiewicz (Author)

Product Details

Paperback: 224 pages

Publisher: Fireside; 2 edition (February 24, 1989)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0671762206

ISBN-13: 978-0671762209

 

The Grip Book, Third Edition (Paperback)

by Michael Uva (Author)

Paperback: 432 pages

Publisher: Focal Press; 3 edition (April 26, 2006)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0240852338

ISBN-13: 978-0240852331

 

Set Lighting Technician's Handbook, Third Edition: Film Lighting Equipment, Practice, and Electrical Distribution (Paperback)

by Harry Box (Author)

Product Details

Paperback: 556 pages

Publisher: Focal Press; 3 edition ( March 17, 2003 )

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0240804953

ISBN-13: 978-0240804958