Voice & Vision: A Creative Approach to Narrative Filmmaking

by Mick Hurbis-Cherrier, Gustavo Mercado

Overview

Develop your creative voice whilst acquiring the practical skills and confidence to use it with this new and fully updated edition of Mick Hurbis-Cherrier's filmmaking bible, Voice & Vision. Providing a solid grounding in the tools, techniques, and processes of narrative film, this comprehensive manual covers all the essentials whilst foregrounding artistic vision throughout. Gustavo Mercado joins Hurbis-Cherrier to walk the reader through every step of the process – from the transformation of an idea into a cinematic story, to the intricacies of promotion and distribution.

Key features include:

• Comprehensive technical information on video production and postproduction tools, allowing filmmakers to express themselves with any camera, in any format, and on any budget
• An emphasis on the collaborative filmmaking process, including the responsibilities and creative contributions of every principal member of the crew and cast
• A focus on learning to work successfully with available resources (time, equipment, budget, personnel, etc.) in order to turn limitations into opportunities
• Updated digital filmmaking workflow breakdowns for Rec. 709 HD, Log Format, and D-Cinema productions
• Substantial coverage of the sound tools and techniques used in film production and the creative impact of postproduction sound design
• An extensive discussion of digital cinematography fundamentals, including essential lighting and exposure control tools, common gamma profiles, the use of LUTs, and the role of color grading
• Abundant examples referencing contemporary and classic films from around the world
• Indispensible information on production safety, team etiquette, and set procedures
• A robust companion website that includes eight award-winning example short films; interactive and high-resolution figures; extra tachnical chapters; forms and logs for preproduction, production, and postproduction; video examples that illustrate key concepts found within the book, and more

The fourth edition has been fully revised and includes updates to video formats, camera technology, and lighting tools; expanded sections on multi-camera shooting, smartphone filmmaking, and drone cinematography; a new example short film for streaming and analysis; discussions on emerging AI applications for film production; additional information and resources on film set safety including best practices for intimacy scenes; and updates to contemporary funding, and distribution strategies.

Whether using it in the classroom or looking for a comprehensive reference, Voice & Vision details all that’s needed to know about the filmmaking process, delivered in an accessible and reader-friendly format.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780367758684
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	05/29/2025
Edition description:	4th ed.
Pages:	672
Product dimensions:	8.25(w) x 11.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Mick Hurbis-Cherrier has been teaching all levels of film production and screenwriting at Hunter College in New York City for over two decades. He works professionally in both film and video and has performed a wide range of duties, including producing, writing, directing, cinematography, and editing. His films have been shown around the country and have garnered prizes at a number of festivals. He is also the co-author of Directing: Film Techniques and Aesthetics (2020), now in its sixth edition.

Gustavo Mercado is an award-winning independent filmmaker with well over a decade of experience as a writer, director, and cinematographer of narrative films. The first edition of The Filmmaker’s Eye: Learning (and Breaking) the Rules of Cinematic Composition, was translated into French, Spanish, Chinese, Polish, Turkish, Portuguese, Japanese, and Korean, and is being used by film programs at colleges and universities worldwide. His second title in the Filmmaker's Eye film book series, The Language of the Lens: The Power of Lenses and The Expressive Cinematic Image was translated into Turkish, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Ukranian. He teaches cinematography, editing, screenwriting, and film production at Hunter College’s Film & Media Studies Department in New York City.

Table of Contents

DEDICATION; COMPANION WEBSITE CONTENTS; ACKNOWLEDGMENTS; INTRODUCTION; WHAT’S NEW IN THE FOURTH EDITION; PART I DEVELOPING YOUR FILM ON PAPER; CHAPTER 1: FROM IDEA TO CINEMATIC STORY; CHAPTER 2: THE SCREENPLAY; CHAPTER 3: THE VISUAL LANGUAGE AND AESTHETICS OF CINEMA; CHAPTER 4: ORGANIZING CINEMATIC TIME AND SPACE; CHAPTER 5: FROM SCREENPLAY TO VISUAL PLAN; PART II  PREPARING FOR PRODUCTION; CHAPTER 6: PREPARING FOR PRODUCTION; CHAPTER 7: THE CAST AND CREW; PART III TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES: PRODUCTION; CHAPTER 8: THE DIGITAL VIDEO SYSTEM; CHAPTER 9: THE DIGITAL VIDEO CAMERA; CHAPTER 10: THE CAMERA LENS; CHAPTER 11: CAMERA SUPPORT; CHAPTER 12: BASICS OF EXPOSURE; CHAPTER 13: BASICS OF LIGHT AND LIGHTING; CHAPTER 14: LIGHTING AND EXPOSURE: BEYOND THE BASICS; CHAPTER 15: SOUND FOR PRODUCTION; CHAPTER 16: LOCATION SOUND TECHNIQUES; CHAPTER 17: ON-SET PROCEDURES; CHAPTER 18: SET ETIQUETTE AND PRODUCTION SAFETY; Part IV  Tools and Techniques: Postproduction; CHAPTER 19: POSTPRODUCTION OVERVIEW: WORKFLOW AND THE EDITING STAGES; CHAPTER 20: THE ART AND TECHNIQUE OF EDITING; CHAPTER 21: THE SOUND DESIGN IN FILM; CHAPTER 22: GRADING, MASTERING, AND DISTRIBUTION; BIBLIOGRAPHY; FILMOGRAPHY; PHOTO AND ILLUSTRATION CREDITS; INDEX

Editorial Reviews

Reviews for Previous Editions

"Voice & Vision is the only text I have seen that gives in-depth coverage of both the creative development process and the technical aspects of filmmaking. Mick Hurbis-Cherrier’s approach gives the reader the inspiration to develop compelling stories and the tools to bring them to the screen. It’s an essential resource for media makers at all levels."

—Eric Scholl, Interim Chair, Cinema and Television Arts, Columbia College Chicago

"Making a movie is always a journey into uncharted territory. Hopefully we have a clear sense of the destination, but we also know that the road is likely to be fraught with hazards, detours, setbacks, and surprises. Fortunately, Mick Hurbis-Cherrier has provided us with a map. Voice & Vision is a thoughtful and stimulating, step-by-step guide through the entire filmmaking process from concept to distribution. The author offers an invaluable commentary on the art, craft, and technology that inform every stage of the creative journey. This is an essential and inspiring guide for the intrepid filmmaker. Don't leave home without it."

—Paul Thompson, Associate Professor, Tisch School of the Arts, New York University; Formerly Head of Film and Television, AFTRS, Sydney, Australia

"The general approach of the book – which offers a combination of technical and creative aspects, as well as professional production practices – makes it an invaluable, encyclopedic 'bible' for film and video production students."

—Tomasz Malinowski, Professor, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, England

"In this comprehensive and masterful volume, Hurbis-Cherrier's conversational tone allows each subject to be viewed in relationship to the others, creating a multi-disciplinary perspective that is thorough and thoughtful."

—Pablo Frasconi, Senior Lecturer, Production, USC School of Cinematic Arts

"The tone of the book works very well with my teaching style and pedagogy because it treats the student as part of a team that is working toward acquiring the knowledge and skills to make a movie. In that sense, I find the book to be not only informative but also very motivational."

—Ece Karayalcin, Professor, SEDT, Miami Dade College

"Hurbis-Cherrier (a professional who teaches at Hunter College) provides a comprehensive, well-organized resource for those interested in exploring the art and technique of narrative film…Though intended primarily for the classroom, this book should find a place in personal libraries as well. It will help even professionals expand their knowledge of the ever-evolving narrative format. Summing up: Recommended."

—M. A. Bay, Southern Connecticut State University, CHOICE

From the Publisher