• How to Shoot Video That Doesn't Suck

  • Advice to Make Any Amateur Look Like a Pro
  • By: Steve Stockman
  • Narrated by: Steve Stockman
  • Length: 6 hrs and 30 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (510 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
How to Shoot Video That Doesn't Suck  By  cover art

How to Shoot Video That Doesn't Suck

By: Steve Stockman
Narrated by: Steve Stockman
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $17.99

Buy for $17.99

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

How to Shoot Video That Doesn't Suck is a quick and easy guide that will make your video better instantly - whether you hear it cover to cover or just listen to a few chapters. It's about the language of video. How to think like a director, regardless of equipment (amateurs think about the camera, pros think about communication).

It's about the rules developed over a century of movie-making - which work - just as well when shooting a two-year-old's birthday party. Written by Steve Stockman, the director of Two Weeks (2007), plus TV shows, music videos, and hundreds of commercials, How to Shoot Video That Doesn't Suck explains in 74 short, pithy, insightful chapters how to tell a story and entertain your audience. How to shoot video people will want to watch.

At the end of every chapter is a suggestion of how to immediately put what you learned into practice, so the next time you're shooting you'll have begun to master the skill. Accompanying the book is a website with video clips to illustrate different rules, techniques, and situations.

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 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.

©2011 Custom Productions, Inc. (P)2013 Custom Productions, Inc.

What listeners say about How to Shoot Video That Doesn't Suck

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    364
  • 4 Stars
    94
  • 3 Stars
    34
  • 2 Stars
    8
  • 1 Stars
    10
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    324
  • 4 Stars
    72
  • 3 Stars
    26
  • 2 Stars
    6
  • 1 Stars
    4
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    305
  • 4 Stars
    78
  • 3 Stars
    29
  • 2 Stars
    9
  • 1 Stars
    5

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Cut out whatever isn't exciting!

Good book on filmmaking. Cut cut cut out the unexciting was the main point to help your video not suck. I agree. Thanks for the practical tips!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Great book and very nice narration. Tips and tricks from a pro on even improving your home videos is amazing.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great resource for filmmakers

laved it. it answered so many question about the technical aspects and functions for creating a great film.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

For smart phone videos to amateur videographers!

A must listen if you make any videos at all. In other words, STOP using your phones video function until u listen to this audiobook!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Like Attending Film School.

I loved it. it has so many tips and insights. I was and still am amazed at the results.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Excellent audiobook. So good I'm off to buy the book as a permanent resource for my video making.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Too Cool for (Film) School

I've just been endowed with the most priceless filmmaking knowledge ever!!! Everything I see is fair game.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

It doesn't suck.Brilliant.

I now have the confidence to do what I need to do, in the way I need to do it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Delivers more than expected

First, I have no connection with the author at all. I was put off by the title a bit for several months, assuming that the author was a twenty-something riding the Youtube wave. Fortunately I was wrong on that, and this book quickly soared to my "must re-read" list. Thanks Steve, for your dozens of insights - one of which completely revamped my YouTube how-to channel the moment I read it!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

comprehensive American take on filming videos

American centric, but full of handy hints and easily applicable advice to put into practice whatever level you're at.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful