Steve Stockman’s video-making guide doesn’t suck. To the contrary, it’s a really useful and funny book. The book delivers on the promise of its subtitle “Advice to Make Any Amateur Look Like a Pro.
Written at a basic level, “How to Shoot Video That Doesn’t Suck” is probably most helpful to readers who are new to video production. But even experienced videographers will find tips that are valid and confirming.
Although Stockman doesn’t address mobile technology—indeed, it says little about any equipment—his easy-to-follow suggestions do apply to mobile-created projects. There are 77 short chapters, and all of them are nitty gritty, and fun.Examples are: “Think in Shots,” “Entertain or Die,” “Make Every Picture Tell the Story,” “Edit with Your Brain,” “Focus Your Shots,” and “Keep It Short.” Stockman also devotes a chunk of the book to tips on specific assignments such as shooting weddings, music videos, and travelogues.
For those with an ultra-short attention span (my hand is up), the book opens with a quick start guide meant to help improve work instantly.
The book’s title lets you know that Stockman has an in-your-face attitude. Not surprising, and strangely comforting, he is a professional Hollywood director about which he cautions: “Don’t be too impressed; you can’t swing a cat without hitting one where I live in L.A.”
If you buy the book on Amazon, you’ll see that the huge majority of reviews give it the highest mark. As someone who has been to film school, I agree with the majority.
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