Books on the craft of filmmaking, by the people who do it.

Adakin Press publishes practical, deeply illustrated books on directing, cinematography and the technology of motion pictures. Every title is written by a working professional and published independently, so the book can run as long as the subject needs.

Adakin Press is the publishing imprint of Adakin Productions, an independent production company founded in Los Angeles in 1988. The press launched in 2020 with The Cine Lens Manual, when its authors chose to publish outside the traditional system so they could produce the book the subject demanded: 836 pages, hardbound and fully illustrated.

That standard still drives every title. Adakin books are written by working professionals, produced in full color where the material calls for it, and built to be used on set and in the classroom. They have sold in more than 60 countries and are used in film programs around the world.

From the Industry

"It would be my first recommended read to a cinematographer who is starting their career."
— Erik Messerschmidt, ASC, on Shot Craft

"Every DP should have it in their bag."
— James Friend, ASC, BSC, 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