Digital Video Production Cookbook

reviewed by: Joseph Nilo

Chris Kenworthy’s Digital Video Production Cookbook is another fine addition to the O’Reilly bookshelf. It is subtitled “100 Professional techniques for Independent & Amatuer Filmmakers”.

I must say I was surprised and pleased upon digging in to this book. I was expecting it to appeal to absolute beginners, but I’m of the opinion that intermediate and professional videographers could learn something from this book, as well. There were more than a few sections that gave me an “Aha!” and got me excited about some new things to try in upcoming productions. For example, shooting a person in a dimly-lit room and adding to an eerie ambience by bouncing a light into a “kiddie pool” and its watery reflections onto a nearby wall. Aha! I hadn’t thought of that.

One of my favorite features is the physical layout of the book. Each technique is roughly a page or two, with step-by-step instructions and lots of of color pictures-- very handy for those of us who want a quick answer (and have a short attention span). The front and back covers have large, thick flaps that allow you to easily bookmark a page-- nice touch.

In this age of computer-generated graphics and special effects, one might be surprised to learn that many Hollywood “tricks” can be achieved in the simplest ways. This book covers some useful (and some handy but frivolous) techniques, such as creating UFOs, realistic fight scenes and stunts, spaceships, poltergeists, etc.-- all of which a filmmaker can do on a shoestring budget.

As much fun as the sections on “tricks” are, I particularly liked the fact that many of the sections covered some real-world techniques on lighting, shooting and editing. This is where I feel the book shines. Practical lighting, use of silhouettes and shadows, proper rack focusing, “fake dolly” shots-- all of these help you better tell your story.

Now it won’t replace all those years of film school or those “basics of video” textbooks gathering dust on your shelf, but the down and dirty and easy-to-read sections will make you want to keep the Digital Video Production Cookbook handy in your camera bag.