Buy New

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
or
Amazon Prime Free Trial required. Sign up when you check out. Learn More
Buy Used
Used - Good See details
$3.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
   
More Buying Choices
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
The Mad Hot Adventures of an Unlikely Documentary Filmmaker
 
See larger image
 
Tell the Publisher!
I'd like to read this book on Kindle

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

The Mad Hot Adventures of an Unlikely Documentary Filmmaker [Paperback]

Amy Sewell (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

Price: $12.95 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
Only 1 left in stock--order soon (more on the way).
Want it delivered Tuesday, January 31? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details

Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Paperback $12.95  

Book Description

April 24, 2007
Want to make a documentary?

Meet Amy Sewell, a former stay-at-home mother of twins with no filmmaking experience, who fell in love with a story about ballroom dancing kids. She went on to make and sell one of the most successful documentaries of all time.

Is that possible? How did she do it? In this engaging and insightful book, Sewell, the writer and producer of Mad Hot Ballroom, takes readers through the process. She describes her struggles and shares what she learned, from refining an idea, to raising money, to hiring a crew, to the festival circuit, distribution, and beyond. Informed by charming personal anecdotes and her infectious enthusiasm and energy, this book is an essential and inspiring guide to filmmaking from someone who burst on the scene, made her own rules, and survived to tell the tale. The Mad Hot Adventures of an Unlikely Documentary Filmmaker is a must-read for all aspiring filmmakers.


Editorial Reviews

Review

"Thank you, Amy, for this book and for one of the best documentaries of the decade." -- Michael Moore

"Very readable and especially fun for lovers of the movie." -- Carl Glassman, Tribeca Trib

"What an inspiration -- a book about how a regular person got a great idea for a project and made it happen -- complete with notes at the end of each chapter: how to make your own documentary film; how to come up with a concept; how to raise funds; how to get copyrights and clearances; how to film, edit and edit market it, even a checklist of equipment and costs, it's all here. Amy Sewell's The Mad Hot Adventures of an Unlikely Documentary Filmmaker is like a well-written cookbook . . . Sewell is straightforward, humble and surprised at her success, and she delights at the idea that anyone can do it." -- Los Angeles Times

About the Author

Amy Sewell is currently working on a television sitcom called Mommy Juice, as well as her next documentary, which she plans to release in 2008. Sewell lives in New York City.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 192 pages
  • Publisher: Hyperion (April 24, 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1401303188
  • ISBN-13: 978-1401303181
  • Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,217,636 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

 

Customer Reviews

7 Reviews
5 star:
 (4)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.4 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Reviewed by Sarra Borne, May 31, 2007
This review is from: The Mad Hot Adventures of an Unlikely Documentary Filmmaker (Paperback)
Amy Sewell a stay-at-home mom to twin girls, with absolutely no experience at filmmaking, fell in love with the idea of making a movie about New York City's scholastic ballroom dancing program. This book follows her journey from "light bulb over the head" stage all the way through completion of one of the most successful documentaries of all time, Mad Hot Ballroom. When the author first started doing the research for the article that turned into first a film, and then this book, she was amazed at how quickly the fifth-graders from diverse economic and social backgrounds took to boring ballroom dancing; and how hard they worked to get in shape for the city wide competitions.

Mad Hot Ballroom was named by the kids, when Sewell learned that the ten and eleven-year-olds used mad as an adjective meaning very in front of everything - mad hot, mad crazy, mad cool - she knew she had the film title. An enormous relief to her director who hated the working title of Not the Same Old Song and Dance. This illustrates just how much the making of both the film and the book was driven by the kids. Without them there would be no story.

As much a primer as a narrative, the author includes all the information the reader would need to follow in her footsteps, including an action plan at the end of each chapter which reinforces the important points. Sewell is obviously enthusiastic about her subject making it a joy to read. The book is upbeat and bubbly. Using a series of amusing anecdotes to relay her story she makes the reader feel as if they are a part of the film making process.

At only 175 pages, this is a very short book, and it went all too quickly. It could have used more about the dancing and competitions to really capture the reader's interest. Even so, it would be a great addition to the shelf of any aspiring filmmaker, because it really reinforces the idea that nearly anyone really can do it with enough drive, possibly a grant or two and support from friends and family.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Mad Hot Ballroom, February 18, 2008
By 
This review is from: The Mad Hot Adventures of an Unlikely Documentary Filmmaker (Paperback)
Interesting story, since this became the doc of the year and then some. It was a personal story, which was nice, but did not really fill in the information I was hoping for (as an amateur/first-time indie video doc). It is a great companion to the Mad Hot Ballroom doc itself, because, as with all good stories, the scenes behind the camera were very compelling. But it's not the only book you should read if you are just starting out because it is short on many of the details. They went big budget compared to most novices/indies, so much of it does not apply to those who are.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring story and useful advice, May 6, 2007
This review is from: The Mad Hot Adventures of an Unlikely Documentary Filmmaker (Paperback)
I've been toying with the idea of making a documentary for years but wasn't sure how to get started. I loved Mad Hot Ballroom too. This appealed to me and I ended up reading Amy Sewell's book in one day. The story behind the film is interesting, and pretty incredible that she did it with no previous experience. The book has lots of smart, practical tips too. Down-to-earth and a fun read.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews





Only search this product's reviews



Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 

Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   


Listmania!


Create a Listmania! list

So You'd Like to...


Create a guide


Look for Similar Items by Category


Look for Similar Items by Subject