Fast, Cheap, and Under Control: Lessons from the Greatest Low-Budget Movies of All Time [Paperback]

John Gaspard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 2006

Learn the tricks and pitfalls of low-budget filmmaking from 33 successful indepent films and the filmmakers who created them. This is the most important book an independent writer/director/producer may ever read. Includes never before published interviews with low-budget mavericks such as Steven Soderbergh, Roger Corman, Jon Favreau, Henry Jaglom, and many more.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Films like Night of the Living Dead and sex, lies and videotape prove low budgets aren't a barrier to creating innovative cult movies and box-office bonanzas. Gaspard (Digital Filmmaking), an independent filmmaker, has written a fun, user-friendly handbook for wannabe filmmakers with big visions but few funds. While providing helpful tips and telling anecdotes, this how-to guide focuses on 33 independent films to extol the benefits of self-financing. Gaspard opens by interviewing Roger Corman, the godfather of low budgets, who preaches both the importance of preparation and the need for flexibility. Corman, who brought Little Shop of Horrors to the screen, influenced everyone from Ron Howard to Martin Scorsese. Though Gaspard nabs an impressive list of directors, including Steven Soderbergh, he's also happy to cull insights from magazine articles and DVD commentaries. He ends with a list of 69 quick-hit lessons: two key lessons, "cast with care" and "use reality to your advantage," helped turn The Blair Witch Project and Swingers into hits. One lesson in particular is inspiration for any enterprising filmmaker: "Get past the notion that you're trying to make a movie. There is no try. You either do it or you don't. So do it." (Aug.)
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About the Author

Gaspard was in filmmaking for 20 years, as a writer, director and producer.

Product Details

• Paperback: 281 pages
• Publisher: Michael Wiese Productions (August 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932907157
• ISBN-13: 978-1932907155
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #172,532 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I've had the pleasure of producing or directing seven low-budget features, including one of the first features ever produced on Super 8mm sound. (That was a LONG time ago.)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Waste no time. Get it under Control!, November 9, 2006

By 

John Badham - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fast, Cheap, and Under Control: Lessons from the Greatest Low-Budget Movies of All Time (Paperback)

All film makers have eyes that are bigger than their budgets. That's OK for Spielberg and Scorcese, but Credit Card Filmmakers need this guide to rein in their appetites and make films that don't run away from them.
This simple and sensible book injects reality into the process and helps any filmmaker prevent their film from becoming a money pit. Lessons like those in this book are cheap at ten times the price.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Book for Indie Film Lovers and Indie Filmmakers, September 6, 2006

By 

M. Anderson (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fast, Cheap, and Under Control: Lessons from the Greatest Low-Budget Movies of All Time (Paperback)

A terrific collection of the kind of stories that usually constitute the highlights of similar books and magazines covering independent film. Take all those highlights, cut out the filler and the "yeah-it's-a-neat-story-but-I've-heard-it-a-hundred-times" apocrphya... and you've got FAST, CHEAP, AND UNDER CONTROL.

As is clear from his other books, Gaspard has a true understanding of the nuts and bolts of indie filmmaking. Here, though, it's matched by a film lover's appreciation of the end product and the sweat that's required to achieve it. The enthusiasm that no doubt drove the author to become an independent filmmaker in the first place is evident in every chapter and that joy is what makes FAST, CHEAP not just informative but a really fun read.

Overall, this is an easy recommendation. The interviews and stories are great, the film selection is wide-ranging and Gaspard's enjoyably conversational writing style make this one of the best books of it's kind. If you think you might like this book, you'll love this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cheap Chic, September 5, 2006

By 

Derek Pell, Editor DingBat Magazine - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fast, Cheap, and Under Control: Lessons from the Greatest Low-Budget Movies of All Time (Paperback)

How low-budget can you go?

Pretty low, or so you'll discover in FAST CHEAP & UNDER CONTROL. You'll also learn how some very good films were made on a shoestring. For everyone who wants to make art without breaking the bank, John Gasper's book is worth every penny.