The Complete Idiot's Guide to Independent Filmmaking

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Independent Filmmaking

by Josef Steiff
Released August 2005
Publisher(s): Alpha
ISBN: 9781440696527

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Book description

Designed for people who want to tell a story their way, 'The Complete Idiot's Guide to Indpendent Filmmaking explains everything a budding auteur needs to know, from literary development and financial and organizational pre-production to principal photography production, post-production assembly, exhibition and distribution, and more. The advent of desktop editing and a wide range of consumer cameras enable the average person to create a 'film studio' at homne. A great 'textbook' for novice filmmakers, whether film students or on-their-own auteurs. The proliferation of film festivals around the world, many of which encourage submissions from 'amateur' filmmakers, shows that there are countless filmmakers who aren't learning the ropes in school. Author has terrific credentials and has a feature-length script in development in Hollywood.

Table of contents

  1. Title Page
  2. Dedication
  3. Copyright Page
  4. Foreword
  5. Introduction
  6. Part 1 - You Ought to Be in Pictures: Development
    1. Chapter 1 - The Rookie: You Too Can Be a Filmmaker
    2. Chapter 2 - Imitation of Life: Moving Image Basics
    3. Chapter 3 - The Poseidon Adventure: Let’s Make a Movie
    4. Chapter 4 - The Elusive Idea: Film Ideas
    5. Chapter 5 - The Greatest Story Ever Told: Story Elements
    6. Chapter 6 - Something to Talk About: Communicating Your Story
    7. Chapter 7 - The Picture Writer: Communicating Your Intentions
  7. Part 2 - Buddy, Can You Spare a Dime? Pre-Production
    1. Chapter 8 - Take the Money and Run: Paying for Your Film
    2. Chapter 9 - The Secret Garden: Script Breakdown
    3. Chapter 10 - The Enchanted Drawing: Pre-Visualization
    4. Chapter 11 - Strangers in Good Company: Your Crew
    5. Chapter 12 - Big Fish: Your Cast
    6. Chapter 13 - The Searchers: Location Scouting
    7. Chapter 14 - Design for Living: Production Design and Art Direction
    8. Chapter 15 - Rushmore: Scheduling Your Film
    9. Chapter 16 - Money Train: Budgeting Your Film
  8. Part 3 - Ready for My Close-Up: Production
    1. Chapter 17 - The Miracle Worker: Directing
    2. Chapter 18 - Through a Glass Darkly: Camera and Lens
    3. Chapter 19 - Visions of Light: Cinematography
    4. Chapter 20 - The Quiet Earth: Gathering Sound
    5. Chapter 21 - Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner: Taking Care of the Cast and Crew
  9. Part 4 - Don’t Worry, We’ll Fix It in... Post-Production
    1. Chapter 22 - Edward Scissorhands: Editing Your Picture
    2. Chapter 23 - Sounder: Sound Design
    3. Chapter 24 - Strange Brew: Special Effects
    4. Chapter 25 - Safe: Titles and Credits
    5. Chapter 26 - The Conformist: Finishing Up
  10. Part 5 - And the Winner Is ... Exhibition & Distribution
    1. Chapter 27 - Living in Oblivion: Press Kits and Publicity
    2. Chapter 28 - The Conversation: Interviews
    3. Chapter 29 - The Last Picture Show: Finding an Audience
    4. Chapter 30 - The Graduate: You’re a Filmmaker Now
  11. Appendix A - Glossary
  12. Appendix B - Resources
  13. Index

Product information

  • Title: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Independent Filmmaking
  • Author(s): Josef Steiff
  • Release date: August 2005
  • Publisher(s): Alpha
  • ISBN: 9781440696527