Customer Reviews

Making Independent Films: Advice from the Filmmakers

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

 

 

I think the book was great in that it gave the low down on making a first film. This is something that books of this type commonly miss. For someone planning their directorial debut, this stuff is invaluable and interesting to read. 2 Thumbs up!

Chris Blasingame, Traci Carroll, Chad Etchison, Jennifer Farmer, Ali Selim, Michael Shoob and David Zeiger. Never heard of them? You will. I was really impressed by the creativity, perserverence and resilience that these filmmakers displayed in getting their projects completed --most of whom have not been to film school. I've been working in the entertainment business for years and it's always inspiring to read stories about talented and enthusiastic newcomers. If there is anyone out there looking for fresh new talent, I'd get in touch with these folks before someone else beats you to them.

I'm a film student in New York and I felt like this book was really encouraging. I think reading these true life dramas would be interesting to other filmmakers as well as anyone who's interested in films or how films get made. I liked how the people in the book were real independent filmmakers (meaning still unknown and still struggling). I liked reading their stories and felt good that some of these people had similar experiences to my own. I also liked reading about some of the mistakes that these filmmakers had made and I'm glad they were willing to share them so others might be able to avoid making the same ones. All of the people interviewed seemed intelligent and dedicated and I hope their persistance will oneday pay off for them. Thanks also to the authors for including a couple of women in the book!

I found this book was both informative and inspiring. For anyone contemplating making their first film I would call it a "jump-starter." For readers who have "been there" you will recognize these experiences and cheer for the filmmakers who overcame the odds. From the pros and cons of attending film schools to the art of selecting the right festivals, this book can be a step by step guide.

It includes budgeted films like Michael Shoob's "Driven," (under one million) whose straight ahead discussion of raising money is exceptional, as well as other filmmakers, whose creativity in making a movie with no money at all, seems to be endless. It will allow you to select the right path for you or at least discover what path you will be taking out of necessity, and give you plenty of immediately applicable advice.

On the set practicality runs from "you can never have too many clothes pins" to how to negotiate for better deals with equipment rental houses. It includes how to deepen the loyalty of your crew, and encourage people to believe in your project enough to help you get it shot. Advice like that is priceless.

The authors allowed the filmmakers to tell their stories in their own words and that was a great decision. You can feel the pain, as well as the joy of triumph, straight from those who experienced it, yet seamless editing gets the point across briefly and intensely.

Congratulations to the authors and their subjects for blazing a trail that will make this tough journey easier for those that follow.

Larry Benedict Author: The Video Demo Tape

Making Independent Films: Advice From The Filmmakers is both an invaluable "how to" guide for aspiring filmmakers, and a riveting expose of the behind-the-scenes realities of filmmaking today. Making Independent Films takes the reader from first pitch to final cut, chronicling the first-time filmmaker's quest through training, financing, preproduction, the shoot, post-production, film festivals, distribution, and more. If you are seeking to write, produce, or direct your own movie, from documentary to feature film, begin with a careful reading of Liz Stubbs and Richard Rodrigues' Making Independent Film.

The book is easy to read, really good flow and has 8 chapters. But I would not recommend this book to a no budget(under $1000) to a very low budget(under $10,000) filmmaker, anyone above the $10,000 budget should be ok with this book. This book is a nice read, and that's what it is. Not a help guide for a beginner. They only scrape the surface about the general techniques of filming, and focus more on their personal encounters.
I bought it used, and paid .69 for the book, and about 6 bucks for shipping. Total=$6.69. After reading it I would be a little upset if I'd paid over $8.00. I'm a low budget filmmaker, my budget is really low and under $5,000.
One more thing- If you're looking for contacts, there's a lot in the back of the book for you.

You know we should all read more books about filmmaking advice. It helps everyone in the independent film world to make better films. Also you guys should check out [..] It gives real world advice on today's filmmaking and tells you how to make your own movie. Use it as a supplement to books like these.

I think the book was great in that it gave the low down on making a first film. This is something that books of this type commonly miss. For someone planning their directorial debut, this stuff is invaluable and interesting to read. 2 Thumbs up!

Filmmakers offer their advice on how to avoid setbacks and produce an independent film on a budget in this handbook, which combines such interviews with tips on how to locate talent and make a film. Practical insights make for an important coverage packed with film and business tips.

Now, I love pretension as much as anyone, but this was ridiculous! Most of the the "filmmakers" (if making a single short film can qualify you as filmmaker) are a bunch of unproven shmos who have no idea what they're talking about. They offer no relevant information whatsoever, unless you happen to have a lot of money already, or your parents will happy give you the tens of thousands of dollars you want to make you "art". A bunch of nonsense. Quiet frankly, if the book hadn't made me laugh so hard, I probably would have thrown it away after the first chapter.