Books on the craft of filmmaking, by the people who do it.
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![The Director's Guide to Everything by Jay Holben, front cover]()
The Director's Guide to Everything
by Jay Holben
What every department needs from the director, and how to ask for it.
$119 $89.95
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![The Cine Lens Manual by Jay Holben and Christopher Probst, ASC, front cover]()
The Cine Lens Manual
by Jay Holben & Christopher Probst, ASC
The definitive reference on cinema optics: design, use and history.
$200 $175
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![American Cinematographer's Shot Craft by Jay Holben, front cover]()
American Cinematographer's Shot Craft
by Jay Holben
80 Shot Craft columns from American Cinematographer, collected by topic.
$75 $65
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![Lessons From American Cinematographer by Jay Holben, front cover]()
Lessons From American Cinematographer
by Jay Holben
Three decades of tips and techniques from the world’s top cinematographers.
$75 $65
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![A Shot in the Dark, Second Edition by Jay Holben, cover preview]()
A Shot in the Dark, Second Edition
by Jay Holben
The DIY guide to cinematic lighting on (almost) no budget, revised and updated.
Coming 2027
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![The Cine Lens Manual, University Edition, cover preview]()
The Cine Lens Manual, University Edition
by Jay Holben & Christopher Probst, ASC
An abridged edition, priced for students and film programs.
Coming 2027
ALSO FROM ADAKIN PRESS
The 40th Annual ASC Awards Program Book
Handed out to attendees of the ASC Awards. A limited print run is available. $24.95 $19.95
About Adakin Press
Adakin Press publishes practical, deeply illustrated books on directing, cinematography and the technology of motion pictures. Every title is written by a working professional.
The press is the publishing imprint of Adakin Productions, an independent production company founded in Los Angeles in 1988. It launched in 2020 with The Cine Lens Manual, when its authors chose to publish independently so they could produce the book the subject demanded: 836 pages, hardbound and fully illustrated.
That standard still drives every title. Adakin books have sold in more than 60 countries and are used in film programs around the world.
From the Industry
“What Jay and Christopher have done with this book is to help demystify the often technical nature of optics… It’s an essential text for all filmmakers.”
Greig Fraser, ASC, ACS
on The Cine Lens Manual
“It would be my first recommended read to a cinematographer who is starting their career.”
Erik Messerschmidt, ASC
on Shot Craft
“…should be required reading and on the shelf of every director and every film program, big or small.”
Mark Foley, ProductionHUB
on The Director’s Guide to Everything