Independent Film Producing: How to Produce a Low-Budget Feature Film

by Paul Battista

The number of independent films produced each year has almost doubled in the past decade, yet only a fraction will succeed. If, like many filmmakers, you have no industry connections, little to no experience, and a low or ultra-low budget, this outsider’s guide will teach you what you need to know to produce a standout, high-quality film and get it into the right hands. Written by an entertainment lawyer and experienced director and producer, this handbook covers all the most essential business, legal, and practical aspects of producing on a low budget,

Also discussed are the new crowd funding laws covered by the JOBS Act, making this book a must-read for every indie producer in today’s economy. If you want to produce a film that gets attention, pick up the book that is recommended or required reading at film, business, and law schools from UCLA to NYU. Whether you’re a recent film school graduate or simply a Hollywood outsider,  Independent Film Producing  will be like having a best friend who is an experienced, well-connected insider.

Genres: Film

312 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2013

Reviews

[Reading · Rating 2 out of 5]

I suppose the UNFORGIVABLE sin is for a book about producing films to not once, but twice mislabel a quote from Indiana Jones and attribute them to the wrong film!? Really? I hate to tell you Paul but there's no grail in Temple of Doom!

Fanboy geek out aside, the fact that this book is 287pgs and yet has a paltry 17pg chapter entitled 'Making The Film' should tell you where the emphasis is - clearly it's not filmmaking. Is hate to see the films that come out of just reading this book. OK, so there's loads of detail about contracts and financing but much of this material is out of date or covered better in other books specifically about those areas or even with cursory online research.

This book is not terrible as a generalist reference with an emphasis on business and legal but you will not learn much about actual filmmaking.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is mis-titled. It should be called Contract Law and Financing Regulations for Independent Film Production. Do not buy this if you’re making a film outside of gleaning knowledge of those two areas.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative.

[Jose Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really helpful for Aspiring Filmmakers!