The Complete Guide to Low-Budget Feature Filmmaking (Paperback)

~ Josh Becker (Author), Bruce Campbell (Introduction)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Most books about film production assume that you have an idea and a script to shoot. Most screenwriting books are geared to how to write a script that you can sell to Hollywood (as though the authors of these books had the slightest clue) and do not take into consideration that you might be shooting the script yourself, possibly with your own money. This book is about how to write a script properly that you can rationally shoot, how to shoot it, how to finish it, how to sell it, and also how to get it shown.

Product Details

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: Point Blank (February 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809556901
• ISBN-13: 978-0809556908
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,194,377 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical Insights into film production from a veteran. , July 27, 2006

By	e-rock "e-rock" (Burbank, CA USA) - See all my reviews

The big difference between Becker's book and a lot of those other "Make a Digital Feature with your spare change" books is that he tells you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. Making a movie, even a short or a mediocre one is VERY hard work. Your movie may suck. If you don't spend time and effort on the story, it most likely will. How will you sell/market it? There are movies with stars that can't find distribution so your independant movie with no stars better be damn good. I work in computer animation, and digital is not the solution to all problems like some of these books profess (although it can be a big help in many aspects). Film still looks better and is easier to light. Becker approaches filmmaking with a straightforward no-bs atitude. He has a chip on his shoulder when it comes to Hollywood and the state of recent movies, which according to him have been in a slump since the late '70s. Even if you disagree with him his rants are entertaining and well informed. He just wants to see better movies like all of us. If you want a touchy feely book that says you are special, all your ideas are wonderful and you will inevitably succeed, look elsewhere. If you want a realistic perspective and useful info on the entire film production process, buy his book. It doesn't have the whole puzzle but it has a lot of the pieces.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars It's got some good advice but so do a lot of other books, May 15, 2009

By	Robbie Caldwell "indiemaker" (indiana) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Low-Budget Feature Filmmaking (Paperback)

Okay so I bought it, read it, and well overall I'm not that impressed.
Sure it's a good read and he really does give some good advice but there are a lot better books out there.
First of all the title is a little misleading. Low Budget well most indie film makers don't put $100,000 production cost price tags on there films. My husband is an indie filmmaker and trust me he never spends anywhere that much. Sure if you wanted to hire SAG actors then the price adds up quickly but we product feature films for a lot less.
Take it for what it is. A okay book with a few gems in it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Road Tested. Smart, Invaluable, June 29, 2006

By	Tim Roessler, book lover (Boulder, CO USA) - See all my reviews

This book is packed with solid, tested, real-world advice about filmmaking. Ignore it, and you'll waste time, money, and energy piddling around. Ask me, because I made a short film before I read it. Had I spent more time with Becker's book, I would've had a better time getting the film together, and perhaps a better film. The book's like having an ideal big brother take you aside and give you the low down. Out of the several books I've read, this offered the most practical and solid advice - not surprising, since Becker's actually directed four independent films, along with some TV shows. Profit from his experience. I can't emphasize enough how much more valuable this book has been to me than nearly every other `how to' guide out there.