The Complete Idiot's Guide to Independent Filmmaking [Mass Market Paperback]

Josef Steiff (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Complete Idiot's Guide | Publication Date: August 2, 2005

Designed for people who want to tell a story their way, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Independent Filmmaking explains everything a budding auteur needs to know— from literary development and financial and organizational pre-production to principal photography production, post-production assembly, exhibition and distribution, and more.

• The advent of desktop editing and a wide range of consumer cameras enable the average person to create a "film studio" at home

• A great "textbook" for novice filmmakers, whether film students or on-their- own auteurs

• The proliferation of film festivals around the world, many of which encourage submissions from "amateur" filmmakers, shows there are countless filmmakers who aren’t learning the ropes in school

• Author has terrific credentials and has a feature-length script in development in Hollywood

Editorial Reviews

Review

" ... a well written guide [with] ...useful advice ... to help create the complete filmmaker ..."
-- Wayne Rapp of Rapp It Up Productions, Ohioana Quarterly, (the Ohioana Library Association Journal) 

About the Author

Josef Steiff is the assistant chair and director of film development in the Department of Film and Video at Columbia College Chicago. An independent filmmaker, he has worked as a director, producer, cinematographer, and editor with budgets ranging from $100 to $100,000+. Steiff is also a staff writer for Film Monthly and has served as assistant editor of Wide Angle Film Quarterly.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Alpha (August 2, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592573908
• ISBN-13: 978-1592573905
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #765,561 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great reference, July 26, 2006

By 

Jennifer Partin "islandgrits" (Wadmalaw Island) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Independent Filmmaking (Mass Market Paperback)

For those with even the most remote interest in filmmaking or how it works, this is a great book to read. You can learn the basics of things behind the scenes of making your favorite movies, without necessarily having to be a filmmaker yourself.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Invaluable, December 19, 2005

By 

Jim Andrews "Wayne Brasler" (Chicago, Illinois USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Independent Filmmaking (Mass Market Paperback)

Joe Steiff is an accomplished and highly-regarded filmmaker, a respected educator, a
talented writer and much else. All his talents and experiences are put to use in this concise, practical and endlessly interesting book. Every facet of independent filmmaking is covered with clarity and excellent advice. But the book goes way beyond the basics into areas such as professionalism, ethics, teamwork and treating people with consideration. Even if you have never considered making a film you can learn a lot from this book about planning, organization, creativity and focus in any field.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Educational and fun to read. Really., January 3, 2007

By 

Cold, wet, and happy! "Stew!" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Independent Filmmaking (Mass Market Paperback)

OK. This is just a good book. Mr. Steiff, (I use "mister" because I know it makes him feel old) knows his stuff and he does a superb, (SOOPERB) job of getting that stuff across to the reader. (If you've ever read any of his movie reviews you will find this book just as entertaining.) He has a way with words he has. I'll never be a filmmaker. But I can now carry on a conversation with one. Maybe my home movies will be less boring in the future. This book ought to be required reading for all media students everywhere.