This new edition of the filmmaker's bible has been completely updated to reflect changes in every aspect of the moviemaking process.
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"This book is a must. It is a straightforward, insightful, and articulate account of what it takes to make a successful feature film."--Ridley Scott, director of Alien, Blade Runner, and Thelma & Louise
"Saves one from having to learn the hard way."--David Lynch, director of Lost Highway and Blue Velvet
"Superb in both its conception and execution."--David Puttnam, producer of Chariots of Fire, Midnight Express, The Killing Fields, and Memphis Belle
"The first and most thoroughly researched compilation of information dealing with all aspects of feature films, from financing to production to post-production to distribution and marketing."--Michael Apted, director of Gorillas in the Mist, and Nell
"A clear, direct guide. I wish I had had this book when I started."--John Carpenter, director of Halloween, Escape from New York, and Vampires
"Absolutely crucial for filmmakers!"--Films in Review
"Anyone involved in the making of motion pictures, from television commercials to studio pictures, should read this book before beginning their next production."--Fay Kanin, screenwriter and former president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
"First rate . . . belongs in the classroom and should be read by many of those now teaching film history and criticism."--Los Angeles Times
"Saves one from having to learn the hard way."--David Lynch, director of Lost Highway and Blue Velvet
"Superb in both its conception and execution."--David Puttnam, producer of Chariots of Fire, Midnight Express, The Killing Fields, and Memphis Belle
"The first and most thoroughly researched compilation of information dealing with all aspects of feature films, from financing to production to post-production to distribution and marketing."--Michael Apted, director of Gorillas in the Mist, and Nell
"A clear, direct guide. I wish I had had this book when I started."--John Carpenter, director of Halloween, Escape from New York, and Vampires
"Absolutely crucial for filmmakers!"--Films in Review
"Anyone involved in the making of motion pictures, from television commercials to studio pictures, should read this book before beginning their next production."--Fay Kanin, screenwriter and former president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
"First rate . . . belongs in the classroom and should be read by many of those now teaching film history and criticism."--Los Angeles Times
About the Author
Gregory Goodell is an award-winning writer-producer-director whose credits include independent features, documentaries, television movies, and mini-series. He has lectured and taught at the American Film Institute and other organizations. Mr. Goodell lives on the West Coast with his wife and two daughters.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As an Australian filmmaker, it would seem a waste of time and money to get hold of a film production book written for primarily the US market. But in this case, it was time and money very well spent. I bought this book nearly four years ago, and it has proven to be an invaluable resource in all my work.
From a smaller independent Australian film to the latest international theatrical release, the tips, insights, strategies and suggestions contained in this book have helped clarify, focus and guide decisions and choices that have paid off enormously.
Yes, this book is heavy on detail, but this is a subject that can appear to be deceptively simple, and in reality is far from. Gregory Goodell has gone through every stage of making your film, any film, and has done so admirably well, emphasising the pitfalls that often land filmmakers in trouble, and how to avoid them yourself.
Any filmmaker who wishes to comprehend and orienteer the complex world of filmmaking, anywhere in the world, and make a film properly from start to finish, would be well advised to add this book to their collection.
25 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is simply the clearest, most comprehensive book on feature filmmaking available! It's an invalauable resource for anyone undertaking the task of making their first feature film and a great way for the more experienced types to brush-up on the nuts and bolts of the process. I read the First Edition of this book fifteen years ago and proceeded to Write and Produce my first feature film with no previous experience, film school, or consultation of other resources. I just recently finished the TENTH FILM that I have Written/Produced/ or Directed, all of them theatrical releases, and for me it all started with this book. I can't possibly praise it too highly. I recently read the revised edition and found that it's even better than before!
38 of 46 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book does do a wonderful job at making sure that a person does not blindly go about trying to make the next "El Mariachi" or "Blair Witch Project". The constant statements of risks involved, rules and regulations about unions and permits will start to make most people who are fantasizing about making a film outside the studio system will begin to worry about the realistic risks and chances one has to take on this journey. The thing is that there is a very pesimistic point of view throughout the majority of the writing that seems out of place in a text that proclaims itself as a way of guiding a person forward into the world of making movies. I feel that this book is best read in combination with some of the more upbeat how-to books out there, that way you can be uplifted for a while, brought back down to earth, and then enlightened and inspired again by switching back and forth between the two. Reading just this book by itself can possibility break the desire to make art, which most people of our mentality deal with enough as it is.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great intro to the film biz
As a complete newbie, I found this book answered a lot of my questions about film production. It discusses everything from investment and distribution deals to the peculiarities of... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Bonni McKeown
Too outdated to be of much use
When the revised version of this book came out in 1998, I'm sure the information in it was really comprehensive and vital to your average filmmaker. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Cameron Chapman
Perfection
This book is so clear and concise every step of the way from conception to distribution. It doesn't try to be the end all in getting yourself into independent filmmaking by... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Jeff
The Theory of Film Production
In theory, this should be a fascinating reading experience.
The three essentials of film production-concept, the actual production and distribution, have done more to... Read more
The three essentials of film production-concept, the actual production and distribution, have done more to... Read more
Published on May 1, 2010 by Victor L. Carson
out of date
This book is comprehensive and quite good for its' day - 1998. But it's 2009 and many aspects of producing have changed and need to be addressed.
Published on May 29, 2009 by a romdomsky
A must-read for any indie producer
First, I have to say that I've ordered this book twice, expecting a 2003 print only to find it was from the 80s. Read more
Published on January 10, 2009 by Michael Yates
Great Book Confusing Purchase
An invaluable book on the process of film production, which I learned also happens to be required reading for the aspiring producers program at the LA Film School. Read more
Published on January 8, 2009 by Joey V
All the info you need, but perhaps a bit outdated
Full of just about every bit of info you need to make an indie film, but it was written 25 years ago, so it inevitably doesn't directly apply to newer forms of filmmaking and the... Read more
Published on June 25, 2008 by Nicholas B. Jandl
Pretty darn good
I'm still reading this book. It is a slow read and you must take your time to really let the info. seep in. From what I read so far, I like it. Read more
Published on February 16, 2008 by Nik
Be sure to check copyright and other reviews
I have the 1998 version, and this is a very informative book. But be sure to verify the copyright of the book you are ordering. There are 3 editions: 1982, 1998, and 2003. Read more
Published on February 2, 2008 by Sara J. Pedri
Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
If the budget and time allow, it is common to make "temp" (temporary) mixes during postproduction in order to evaluate the picture more fully during screenings. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
film work print, analog optical track, partner nonrecourse deductions, digital editing machine, sound effects mixer, edited sound tracks, sound track negative, composite answer print, negative cut list, dialogue mixer, shipping reels, editing reels, first trial print, negative pickup deal, investment memorandum, distributable cash, film commissioner, edited tracks, key makeup artist, tech scout, foreign presales, production sound effects, beginning principal photography, completion guarantor, final dub Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, United States, Los Angeles, Breakdown Services, Film Finders, Writers Guild, Jurassic Park, Laws of Gravity, New Line, The Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros, Independence Day, John Pierson, Screen Actors Guild, Leaving Las Vegas, Nick Gomez, Robert Redford, Sidney Lumet, The Lost World, William Goldman, Academy Players Directory, Castle Rock, Richard Portman, Sundance Film Festival, American Film Market New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
If the budget and time allow, it is common to make "temp" (temporary) mixes during postproduction in order to evaluate the picture more fully during screenings. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
film work print, analog optical track, partner nonrecourse deductions, digital editing machine, sound effects mixer, edited sound tracks, sound track negative, composite answer print, negative cut list, dialogue mixer, shipping reels, editing reels, first trial print, negative pickup deal, investment memorandum, distributable cash, film commissioner, edited tracks, key makeup artist, tech scout, foreign presales, production sound effects, beginning principal photography, completion guarantor, final dub Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, United States, Los Angeles, Breakdown Services, Film Finders, Writers Guild, Jurassic Park, Laws of Gravity, New Line, The Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros, Independence Day, John Pierson, Screen Actors Guild, Leaving Las Vegas, Nick Gomez, Robert Redford, Sidney Lumet, The Lost World, William Goldman, Academy Players Directory, Castle Rock, Richard Portman, Sundance Film Festival, American Film Market New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 17
books:
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20
books
cite this book:
See all 20 books citing this book
- Spike, Mike, Slackers, & Dykes: A Guided Tour Across a Decade of American Independent Cinema by John Pierson on page 25, and Back Matter
- Leaving Las Vegas by John O'Brien in Front Matter
- Get the Money and Shoot: Dri Guide to Funding Documentary Films by Bruce Jackson in Back Matter
- Film & Video on the Internet: The top 500 sites by Bert Deivert in Back Matter
- Techniques of Special Effects of Cinematography (Library of Communication Techniques, Film) by Raymond Fielding in Back Matter
See all 17 books this book cites
- From Reel to Deal: Everything You Need to Create a Successful Independent Film by Dov S-S Simens on page 14, and page 46
- The Way Hollywood Tells It: Story and Style in Modern Movies by David Bordwell in Back Matter
- Technical Film and TV for Nontechnical People by Drew Campbell in Back Matter
- The Independent Film and Videomaker's Guide, Second Edition (Michael Wiese Productions S.) by Michael Wiese in Back Matter
- The Complete Independent Movie Marketing Handbook by Mark Steven Bosko in Back Matter
See all 20 books citing this book
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