Making Independent Films: Advice from the Filmmakers - Softcover

Compelling interviews with award-winning, first-time directors and producers take filmmakers, film students, and film fans on an incredible behind-the-scenes journey into the sizzling independent film scene. This book offers a front-line vantage point, following bright, young talents as they negotiate the travails and triumphs of independent filmmaking. Part how-to guide and part riveting expose, this book is packed with detailed, cutting-edge coverage of the independent filmmaking process. From first pitch to final cut, this unique overview chronicles the first-time filmmaker's quest through training, financing, preproduction, the shoot, post-production, festivals, distribution, and more. Budding film artists will find the practical understanding and insight vital to success and afficionados will enjoy a fascinating read.

Award-winning and internationally-acclaimed directors and producers interviewed include Michael Shoob (Driven), Jennifer Farmer (The Incredible Pumpkin Man), Ali Selim (Yonnondio; Emperor of the Air), Traci Carroll (Five O'clock Shadow), David Zeiger (Displaced in the New South; The Band), Chris Blasingame (Roadrunner), and Chad Etchison (The Initiate). Each chapter interlaces appropriate excerpts from the interviews to build a compelling and informative narrative structure. Making Independent Films offers the collective wisdom and first-hand experience of successful young filmmakers whose stories and insights go from the start of a career to the completion and distribution of a film. Chapters cover:

· Education/Training–The Birth of a Career

· Financing–The Money Pit

· Preproduction–Cents and Sensibility –turn page–

· The Shoot–The Vast Picture Show

· Post-production–Four Edits and a Tylenol

· Festivals/Distribution–While You Were Screening

· Producing/Directing–Citizen Sane? "Independent filmmaking requires fortitude above all else–emotionally, physically, spiritually, and financially. Parents may see it as an unwise career choice. Friends may see it as a hobby, bordering on an obsession," write Stubbs and Rodriguez. Making Independent Films reveals the truths about the challenges, risks, and rewards of this exciting profession.

Liz Stubbs is a writer/producer with a growing specialty in independent film. She has produced and written for a wide variety of film projects, has contributed to film and video publications, and has worked as an editor and reporter for the news media. She is working on several feature film projects. She lives in Roswell Georgia.
Richard Rodriguez is a production freelancer with a film career that runs the gamut from grip, editor, shooter, and second assistant cameraman, to writer, producer, and director. He has worked on independent feature films, music videos, corporate videos, and national commercial spots. His training includes film studies at the Full Sail Center for the Recording Arts and at the International Film and Television Workshops in Rockport, Maine. He lives in Miami, Florida.