Customer Reviews

The Independent Film Producer's Survival Guide: A Business and Legal Sourcebook

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is more than a great book--it's a public service. The
authors share insights from their decades of legal and
entertainment production experience, in essence offering
thousands of dollars of free legal advice to aspiring
independent producers. Beyond offering a roadmap of business-
planning steps, the book includes templates of numerous legal
forms that an independent producer might need. Meanwhile, in
clear and artful prose, they alternate between You're-Not-God
straight talk and You-Can-Do-It encouragement. Between the
lines, there seems to be a genuine interest in helping
important stories and quality independent work to see the
light of day. I've read other books on the business side of
entertainment that were helpful, but this stands out as the
best of the lot.

If you are or want to become an independent film producer, this book will give you all of the business/legal knowledge of filmmaking you need. Even though I have not finished the book yet, I've already found this book to be extremely valuable. Because I am planning to produce a new film next year, I even called up Mr. Tulchin directly for legal advice. He was very friendly and took the time to give me great advices and was very knowledgeable in not just U.S. based entertainment law but also international entertainment law as well. Read this book and you will find it worth more than what you paid for!!!

The Independent Film Producer's Survival Guide is the most practical and concrete text on the Hollywood deal-making process that I have read to date. Its succinct presentation of the independent film business-legal process is welcome. Many of the real-world examples of independent producers struggling to secure the deal are thought provoking and encouraging. I believe that any independent film producer who reads and applies the information contained in the Survival Guide can only win. Film schools should seriously consider adding this publication to their list of reference texts.

One thing that isn't taught that much at film schools is how many contracts are generated and how much time you spend negotiating deals. Our first film is still in post-production (April 2003) and we already have a filing cabinet filled with contracts and paperwork. I wish this book had been available when we started production. The chapter on delivery requirements alone is worth every penny. In it you'll find out what a distributor will want along with your film. Don't forget the still photographer on the set and behind the scenes! Great and easy read, too.

This book not only lays down everything you need to make and sell an independent film but even provides you with the forms and contracts to do it with! It is a very easy read and the experience these authors have in unsurpassed in the film industry so listen to what they have to say!

This book seems to be getting amazing reviews. I bought this book based on these reviews. I'll tell you this, I don't know who these people are who are reviewing it. I don't think they're quite like me.

Pros:
1. There are some legal contracts that may be useful for some independent filmmakers

Cons:
1. Any legal contract this book has can be found for free on the internet
2. This book seems to be for people who are actually employed in the film industry. If you're an independent filmmaker running around with a DSLR, 95% of the topics in this book doesn't even apply to you (this is the position I found myself in)

I can't really write much more. Just wanted to give a heads up to cash starved indie filmmakers to not spend their money on this.

Im am a independent movie producer and this is probaly the best book I have ever read. It explains the bare nuts and bolts of independent producing of movies. It has all of the forms and stuff you need to produce. This is defiantly the best book of it's class

If it's not already, this book will soon become the industry standard for substantive knowledge of the film business for independent filmmakers. Deal points, standard contract provisions, the often technical and confusing jargon, and the historical context for many industry practices are all covered here in comprehensive yet concise fashion. Topics of interest that are covered in depth include standard talent and producer agreements, developing a screen play, financing, and digital distribution. The book was a tremendous asset to me when I had to help an independent filmmaker comply with complicated federal securities laws in order to raise $200,000. Highly recommended.

jeffbrownlegal@gmail.com

My wife and her friend just finished a screenplay. We're all amateurs especially on the business side. This book is chock full of information and is like a roadmap. What a a godsend! Thanks.

Good reference book. Lots of legal examples of contracts and processes you will need to understand in order to make an Indie film. Caters to Indie producers because you won't need to worry about a number of these sections when your dealing within the studio world. They have a lot's of great tidbits to share which are useful, especially with deal making, talent agreements etc... One word of caution, these guys are entertainment lawyers and they also act as Producer Reps. This means that Mr. Tulchin, will take a fee, mostly upfront, to send your movie our to try to get it distributed. I am always wary of this co-mingling of interests. This book is a great reference but don't confuse that by actually taking your film to these guys so they can rep it. Shop around. If someone believes they can sell your film, you won't have to pay them upfront!