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Confusing and too detailed

Customer Rating:
The problem with this book is it's WAY too confusing and gets into far too much detail for noobs. AND, anyone with some experience is not going to need to re-learn technique. Also, I don't like the author's terminology and ad infinitum descriptions of (seemingly) EVERY possible blocking scheme in the universe.

Not good enough

Customer Rating:
This is a book about all the types os shots, but it has a serious problem. The writer doesn't explain the emotional meaning of all those shots. If you read this book, you will know the positions and angles that a cameraman uses; but you won't know nothing about when, and why, employ this angles. Katz doesn't talk about the art of direction and the connection between the script, the characters, and the camera shots.

If you want to learn the complicated art of the direction you must read other more interesting books, like "Film Directing Fundamentals" by Nicholas Proferes. Also you can analyze an Hitchcock's movie "shot by shot". Any movie of Hitch is a master class.

okay, but there are better out there

Customer Rating:
I think this book is for frappe latte mocha double half calf drinkers. Lots of flowery exposition. If it's the only book you've ever seen on the subject, it'll teach you something (in a very confusing way). But if you've ever shot anything, or read another book on camera setups, etc., this will not add much to your knowledge.

I even read it a 2nd time to see if I was just "overwhelmed" by info the first time--nope...there are other books that get to the nuts and bolts and practical info much better.

great!

Customer Rating:
its easy to read, lots of info and hints. especially very helpful for camera moves and shooting angels. pictures are great and makes real easy to understand.

Chicken scratches vs. Detailed Storyboards

Customer Rating:
I have used this book numerous times for my teachings in which students go through the process of making a short film with certain limitations being imposed. It is part of a process that I call "fast filmmaking". I like the examples that Katz presents, specifically that it is not the quality of the drawing, but how the drawing communicates the director's vision to the rest of the crew. I will usually have a student "explain" their storyboard to the class, and it is amazing how a few chicken scratches can give as much details as a fully detailed storyboard. Kudos to Katz for explaining the creative aspect of directing, and Michael Weise Productions for publishing these types of books.