The Declaration of Independent Filmmaking: An Insider's Guide to Making Movies Outside of Hollywood [Paperback]

Mark Polish (Author), Michael Polish (Author), Jonathan Sheldon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 17, 2005

Less than a decade since they began working in the movies, Mark and Michael Polish have established themselves as critically acclaimed, award-winning independent filmmakers. Their innovative approach to art direction, use of digital photography, and ability to attract stellar talent to their modestly budgeted films sprang from necessity; now these aesthetics have become admired trademarks of their work.
Infused with this same balance of artistic integrity and popular appeal, The Declaration of Independent Filmmaking is a practical guide to writing, shooting, editing, scoring, promoting, and distributing short and feature films. Mark and Michael have packed this book with star-studded, often hilarious tales from their own experiences--as well as helpful insider photos. This is an indispensable resource for anyone interested in filmmaking, whether a high school student with a $500 budget or a serious filmmaker looking for a fresh approach.


A Harvest Original

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This trio of award-winning independent film actors-writers-directors-producers reveal how their desire to make movies that fulfilled their vision led them to create a rigorous, economical regimen that, for those "willing to forego a visit to the dentist so they can instead buy film stock," and who aren't well-versed in the technical and logistical aspects of film-making, is well worth the book's cover price. Drawing on their experiences making three feature films (Twin Falls Idaho is perhaps the best known), the Polish brothers walk would-be filmmakers step-by-step from script-writing to post-production to distribution, with an explanation of each part of the process. The amount of detail packed into short chapters (particularly the chapters on directing and editing) is impressive, and informative sidebars and anecdotes about actors like James Woods and Nick Nolte complement the text's how-to aspects. With their wise and simple advice, the Polish brothers and their co-author, Sheldon, have done aspiring filmmakers (but not their dentists) a great favor. Photos.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

PRAISE FOR THE POLISH BROTHERS' NORTHFORK

"Another masterpiece . . . After Twin Falls, Idaho, here's more evidence that the Polish twins are the real thing."--Roger Ebert, Chicago Tribune

PRAISE FOR THE POLISH BROTHERS' TWIN FALLS, IDAHO

"Eerily effective . . . Twin Falls, Idaho has style, gravity, and originality to spare."--The New York Times

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  
• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Mariner Books; 1 edition (October 17, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0156029529
• ISBN-13: 978-0156029520
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #237,963 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ultimate Guide!, November 1, 2005

By 

Turge (Chicago) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Declaration of Independent Filmmaking: An Insider's Guide to Making Movies Outside of Hollywood (Paperback)

I've read both Robert Rodriguez's "Rebel Without a Crew" and John Pierson's "Spike, Mike, Slackers, & Dykes" and they don't come close to the level of detail I found in this book. (And I'm not just saying this because I love their films.) It's everything you need to know about getting a production going, and, thank God, it blows away the notion of screen writing as a 'get rich quick scheme'. This book doesn't teach you how to be a 'player' in 'the biz', it shows you how to make the kind of films you can be proud of, the kind of films people used to make before big money took over (and ruined) Hollywood. It's clear, it's concise, and these guys have the experience to back it up.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book will help polish your mad filmmaking skills..., November 21, 2005

By 

Jerry Lentz "Jerry Lentz" (Hollywood/Fresno, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Declaration of Independent Filmmaking: An Insider's Guide to Making Movies Outside of Hollywood (Paperback)

I love this book! I read it all at once it was so good. I would rather learn about filmmaking from these guys than anyone I can think of at this moment. Reading this I felt I was hanging with them figuring things out, like; where the money was coming from next, how James Woods wasn't going to cry and how do you tell Kubrick's daughter bad news... ?

Every two pages, I believed I had a good idea for a scene in my next movie just from some tip they'd hidden in a sentence.

I have a lot of film friends. Some doing it, some that want to do it... This is the gift I'm buying them. Screw film school. Get Netflix, or Green Cine and this book and you're miles ahead.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For film makers, those who enjoy a great narrative and those who love an inspirational story..., December 3, 2005

By 

Mark Dreskin - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Declaration of Independent Filmmaking: An Insider's Guide to Making Movies Outside of Hollywood (Paperback)

This is just an amazing book. I appreciate it mainly in terms of its narrative. Its so interesting to follow their journey from hopes and dreams through trials and tribulations ove to achieving what they have. It engages from start to finish, whether you are independent film buff or not. For film buffs, the anecdoates are a delight. But for writers and artists, it is particularly inspirational, and lifted me right out an artist's block period with it's portrayal of a couple plucky film makers and their "can do" attitude.