The Complete Handbook of Film & Television
The professional's practical guide to production, equipment, distribution, and business opportunity
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
The reference handbook for film and TV professionals: production types, equipment specs, workflow standards, troubleshooting, and business models—all in one practical guide.
About this book
Film and television production are not abstract creative fields—they are technical practices with measurable standards, repeatable workflows, and real business operations. This handbook treats them as such.
Whether you are a production manager selecting cameras for a shoot, an engineer troubleshooting broadcast infrastructure, a business professional entering equipment rental, or a serious hobbyist upgrading your studio, you need reference material grounded in what actually happens on set and in post-production—not marketing language or oversimplification.
This book covers the full category: how film and television production differ and why it matters, the types of projects and formats that define the industry, equipment specifications that actually affect your work, how to choose and set up systems for your specific use case, routine maintenance and real-world problem-solving, the supplier ecosystem and business opportunities within it, and the technical and regulatory trends shaping the industry forward. Each chapter is written for immediate usability—concrete examples, real specifications, and clear reasoning that applies whether you work in broadcast, streaming, independent production, or corporate media.
Reader Reviews
Elizabeth Roberts
★★★★★This is exactly what I needed. I'm a documentary producer working between DV and 16mm, and the first chapter alone—where it breaks down why those formats actually matter for different distribution pathways—saved me from making an expensive equipment mistake. The chapters on specs and choosing the right format are reference material I'm already dog-earing. No fluff, no assumption that I already know the jargon. Wish I'd had this three years ago.
Amy Green
★★★★★Solid handbook that lives up to its promise. Chapter 1 is a genuinely useful overview of how film and TV production actually differ as workflows, which I didn't realize was even a gap in my knowledge. The equipment specs sections are detailed and practical. My only complaint is that some of the business opportunity chapter feels a bit thin on the rental operation specifics—would've liked more detail there, but that's a minor issue in an otherwise useful reference.
Robert Jackson
★★★★★Good practical reference for someone entering the industry. The chapter on understanding the distinctions between film and TV was eye-opening, and I appreciate the real workflow examples. The troubleshooting and maintenance sections are genuinely useful. That said, the book assumes a bit more baseline technical knowledge than I had when I started in this field, so I had to cross-reference some terms despite the glossary. Still a solid investment for the money.