Learning video production can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t have a mentor who can talk you through what you need to know and do to be successful. Rather than allowing yourself to become stressed out about what you need to learn and how you will get the information that you need to succeed, you can turn to a book. These are the top five video production books on the market today. They are all designed to make it easier than ever for you to learn about video production and creating gorgeous videos you’ll be proud of.
5 Top Video Production Books To Up Your Game
1. Video Production Handbook
If you’re ready to get started with video production and don’t want to spend a ton of time reading how-to books and manuals, then it’s time to let Steve Stockman teach you what you need to know. While there are an impressive 74 chapters in this book, they are all short, exciting, easy to read, and packed with information so that you don’t feel like you’re wasting your time.
You’ll learn all of the rules about how to keep your audience entertained and ensure that they actually want to watch the video that you have made. Additionally, you’ll learn how to think in shots and move around to capture the best video that you can and then edit it into a flawless final product during post-production.
With information on lighting, framing, sound, editing, and even why you should skip the special effects, this book is full of knowledge that is applicable to any shooting situation. Whether you are shooting a video for your child’s birthday party or making a video about your church, this book will ensure that the final product looks amazing.
2. How to Shoot Video That Doesn’t Suck: Advice to Make Any Amateur Look Like a Pro
How to Shoot Video That Doesn’t Suck: Advice to Make Any Amateur Look Like a Pro
Here’s how to think in shots—how to move-point-shoot-stop-repeat, instead of planting yourself in one spot and pressing “Record” for five minutes. Why never to shoot until you see the whites of your subject’s eyes. Why to “zoom” with your feet and not the lens. How to create intrigue on camera. The book covers the basics of video production: framing, lighting, sound (use an external mic), editing, special effects (turn them off!), and gives advice on shooting a variety of specific situations: sporting events, parties and family gatherings, graduations and performances. Plus, how to make instructional and promotional videos, how to make a music video, how to capture stunts, and much more. At the end of every chapter is a suggestion of how to immediately put what you’ve learned into practice, so the next time you’re shooting you’ll have begun to master the skill. Steve’s website (stevestockman.com) provides video examples to illustrate different production ideas, techniques, and situations, and his latest thoughts on all things video.
The author of this book, Jim Owens, has taught and worked in TV and video for more than 30 years, and he brings all of that experience to the table in his book. This is an updated version of the book, which means that it has been edited to include tips and tricks that are useful in modern applications, making it a great book for anyone looking to wow their audience.
See more of the top five video production books on page two.