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Independent Ed: Inside a Career of Big Dreams, Little Movies, and the Twelve Best Days of My Life
An entertaining and inspirational memoir by one of the most prominent practitioners and evangelists of independent filmmaking, and the acclaimed writer, director, and actor ( Saving Private Ryan, Friends with Kids, Entourage ) whose first film— The Brothers McMullen —has become an indie classic.
At the age of twenty-five, Ed Burns directed and produced his first film on a tiny $25,000 budget. The Brothers McMullen went on to win the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 1995, and established the working-class Irish American filmmaker as a talent to watch. In the twenty years since, Burns has made ten more films ( She’s the One, Sidewalks of New York, and The Fitzgerald Family Christmas ), while also acting in big budget Hollywood movies ( Saving Private Ryan ), hit television shows ( Entourage and Mob City ), and pioneering a new distribution network for indie filmmakers online and with TV’s On Demand service (“why open a film in twenty art houses when you can open in twenty million homes?”).
Inspired by Burns’s uncompromising success both behind and in front of the camera, students and aspiring filmmakers are always asking Burns for advice. In Independent Ed , Burns shares the story of his two remarkable decades in a fickle business where heat and box office receipts are often all that matter. He recounts stories of the lengths he has gone to to secure financing for his films, starting with The Brothers McMullen (he told his “Shooting was the twelve best days of my life”). How he found stars on their way up—including Jennifer Aniston and Cameron Diaz—to work in his films, and how he’s adhered religiously to the dictum of writing what you know, working as if he was just starting out, and always “looking for the next twelve best days of my life.”
Chronicling the struggles and the long hours as well as the heady moments when months of planning and writing come to fruition, Independent Ed is a must-read for movie fans, film students, and everyone who loves a gripping tale about what it takes to forge your own path in work and life.
At the age of twenty-five, Ed Burns directed and produced his first film on a tiny $25,000 budget. The Brothers McMullen went on to win the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 1995, and established the working-class Irish American filmmaker as a talent to watch. In the twenty years since, Burns has made ten more films ( She’s the One, Sidewalks of New York, and The Fitzgerald Family Christmas ), while also acting in big budget Hollywood movies ( Saving Private Ryan ), hit television shows ( Entourage and Mob City ), and pioneering a new distribution network for indie filmmakers online and with TV’s On Demand service (“why open a film in twenty art houses when you can open in twenty million homes?”).
Inspired by Burns’s uncompromising success both behind and in front of the camera, students and aspiring filmmakers are always asking Burns for advice. In Independent Ed , Burns shares the story of his two remarkable decades in a fickle business where heat and box office receipts are often all that matter. He recounts stories of the lengths he has gone to to secure financing for his films, starting with The Brothers McMullen (he told his “Shooting was the twelve best days of my life”). How he found stars on their way up—including Jennifer Aniston and Cameron Diaz—to work in his films, and how he’s adhered religiously to the dictum of writing what you know, working as if he was just starting out, and always “looking for the next twelve best days of my life.”
Chronicling the struggles and the long hours as well as the heady moments when months of planning and writing come to fruition, Independent Ed is a must-read for movie fans, film students, and everyone who loves a gripping tale about what it takes to forge your own path in work and life.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 6, 2015
20 people are currently reading
512 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
January 13, 2015
First of all, I must disclose that I won an advance copy of this book on Goodreads--somehow Goodreads knew that this is the perfect book for me. It is an enjoyable, breezy account of one writer's love of making independent films. It is the story of a young man without a clear career focus who stumbles into a business that he loves and finds early success at. This book is for anyone who loves the author's movies, or independent films, or film in general. You won't find anything very personal or scandalous--instead you will gain insights into the changes in making and marketing films over the last 20 years. It makes me want to go back and watch Ed Burns' films all over again.
February 28, 2015
Engrossing, Honest & Insightful! Brilliant Writing! I Loved It!
December 16, 2016
Note: This book was an ARC provided by the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
In Independent Ed, Edward Burns relates his experiences working in the film industry as a writer, director, and actor. Burns directed and produced his first film, The Brothers McMullen, on a tiny $25,000 budget — which went on to win the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 1995. Since that initial success, he has gone on to make ten more films on his own terms and act in several big budget Hollywood movies (such as Saving Private Ryan) and television shows.
This memoir highlights Burns’ successes, but perhaps more importantly delves into his mistakes, the poor decisions and bad luck that makes a movie fail to be the success one hoped it would be. These missteps, more than the successes, are where the greatest lessons lie.It’s hard to figure out why something succeeds, much easier to point to the number of reasons why something didn’t. His honesty in looking back on these moments, in which he examines where he went wrong and where the cards were against him, is a part of what makes this memoir work.
A few practical, useful pieces of advice are littered throughout the book (the difference between a master shot and a two shot, for example), providing some help in the nitty gritty of making a movie — but the real value of this book is in his philosophy toward filmmaking in general.
For Burns, the act of independent filmmaking is the ability to make movies according to your own vision and away from influences that might compromise that vision. He describes the twelve best days of his life as the twelve days he spent filming his first movie, The Brothers McMullen — twelve days telling a story true and making a movie for no other reason than the sheer joy of making a movie.
Read the rest of the review on my blog.
In Independent Ed, Edward Burns relates his experiences working in the film industry as a writer, director, and actor. Burns directed and produced his first film, The Brothers McMullen, on a tiny $25,000 budget — which went on to win the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 1995. Since that initial success, he has gone on to make ten more films on his own terms and act in several big budget Hollywood movies (such as Saving Private Ryan) and television shows.
This memoir highlights Burns’ successes, but perhaps more importantly delves into his mistakes, the poor decisions and bad luck that makes a movie fail to be the success one hoped it would be. These missteps, more than the successes, are where the greatest lessons lie.It’s hard to figure out why something succeeds, much easier to point to the number of reasons why something didn’t. His honesty in looking back on these moments, in which he examines where he went wrong and where the cards were against him, is a part of what makes this memoir work.
A few practical, useful pieces of advice are littered throughout the book (the difference between a master shot and a two shot, for example), providing some help in the nitty gritty of making a movie — but the real value of this book is in his philosophy toward filmmaking in general.
For Burns, the act of independent filmmaking is the ability to make movies according to your own vision and away from influences that might compromise that vision. He describes the twelve best days of his life as the twelve days he spent filming his first movie, The Brothers McMullen — twelve days telling a story true and making a movie for no other reason than the sheer joy of making a movie.
Read the rest of the review on my blog.
December 15, 2014
Disclaimer the first: I won this ARC in a Good Reads First Reads giveaway.
Disclaimer the second: when I entered the GoodReads First Reads giveaway, I thought it was a memoir about Ken Burns, the documentarian. Whoops!
So, I don't think that I've ever actually seen an Ed Burns movie. I remember my parents liking The Brothers McMullen when it came out, but I think I was too young at the time to have an interest in it.
That being said, this book wasn't half bad. Burns comes across as very sincere, and very passionate about writing and making movies. I truly believe that he's in the business not to get rich, but just because . . . well, because he likes making movies. The process of writing and shooting movies. Then again, the man is a professional writer and actor, so maybe he's foolin'.
The book is definitely only a movie-making memoir . . . he only mentions personal milestones (like getting married or whatever) if they're context for a career-related decision he's making. I think that if you want to make movies, this book might be helpful? But what do I know, I'm an engineer.
I tell you what though, this dude sure is Irish. And he likes his dad a lot. Those were two takeaways.
So yes, if you think that this book might be interesting to you, it probably will be! If you are like "wait who is Ed Burns again?" then I don't know if this book will make you care too much. Although I am sort of curious to see The Brothers McMullen now. Sort of. Also he had a new series coming out on TNT next year about Irish cops and also Irish mobsters, and I'm sort of intrigued? I mean not intrigued enough to watch it (I'm over white dudes' stories for the most part at this point in my life I think) but intrigued enough to see how it's received. But yeah, a nice, honest book, by a guy who seems sincere and likable. Also a pretty quick read.
Disclaimer the second: when I entered the GoodReads First Reads giveaway, I thought it was a memoir about Ken Burns, the documentarian. Whoops!
So, I don't think that I've ever actually seen an Ed Burns movie. I remember my parents liking The Brothers McMullen when it came out, but I think I was too young at the time to have an interest in it.
That being said, this book wasn't half bad. Burns comes across as very sincere, and very passionate about writing and making movies. I truly believe that he's in the business not to get rich, but just because . . . well, because he likes making movies. The process of writing and shooting movies. Then again, the man is a professional writer and actor, so maybe he's foolin'.
The book is definitely only a movie-making memoir . . . he only mentions personal milestones (like getting married or whatever) if they're context for a career-related decision he's making. I think that if you want to make movies, this book might be helpful? But what do I know, I'm an engineer.
I tell you what though, this dude sure is Irish. And he likes his dad a lot. Those were two takeaways.
So yes, if you think that this book might be interesting to you, it probably will be! If you are like "wait who is Ed Burns again?" then I don't know if this book will make you care too much. Although I am sort of curious to see The Brothers McMullen now. Sort of. Also he had a new series coming out on TNT next year about Irish cops and also Irish mobsters, and I'm sort of intrigued? I mean not intrigued enough to watch it (I'm over white dudes' stories for the most part at this point in my life I think) but intrigued enough to see how it's received. But yeah, a nice, honest book, by a guy who seems sincere and likable. Also a pretty quick read.
October 16, 2014
I received a copy of this book in return for a review.
This book is the engrossing story of Ed Burns' movie making career. It covers the time span from when he first started writing through to his latest project, a TV movie. It touches on the equipment he used, the people he worked with and the ease or difficulty of getting a given project made. Burns' prose is accessible and engaging.
I would have liked to see more detail on either his emotions or a step by step look into making any of his projects, but as a biography, this is self-sufficient.
This book is the engrossing story of Ed Burns' movie making career. It covers the time span from when he first started writing through to his latest project, a TV movie. It touches on the equipment he used, the people he worked with and the ease or difficulty of getting a given project made. Burns' prose is accessible and engaging.
I would have liked to see more detail on either his emotions or a step by step look into making any of his projects, but as a biography, this is self-sufficient.
May 30, 2017
I've loved Ed Burns since The Brothers McMullen. Love his New Yorkese, sense of humor sarcasm, etc. I grew up knowing people like him, though he was Queens/Long Island and I was Staten Island. My only disappointment in reading the book was that I did not have immediate access to his films, those that I've seen or those I now want to see. I remember seeing Saving Private Ryan for the first time. As the soldiers were being killed off, one by one, I just kept saying to myself,"They better not kill Ed Burns."
September 8, 2019
I remember Edward Burns from The Brothers McMillan-which was a brilliant first film. I also Remember him from She's the One, which was criticized as being The Brothers McMillan on a larger budget. I didn't know if Edward Burns was actually still in the business.
I learned about some of the inns-and-outs of film making, including about obtaining permits, minimum wages for actors, editing, and more. But that said, this book seemed to leave a lot out, or just confused me. For example, In the course of less then a few years, Burns went from working with his friends and shooting a film at his parent's house to working with Jennifer Aniston and Cameron Diaz. What was it like to work with such big name stars for the first time? Was he nervous, did he feel "out of his league". Additionally, Burns mentioned that his mistake was moving beyond micro budget pictures and into acting (which he seemed to indicate wasn't a passion of his). But after making a micro budget film later in his career, he said he tired of asking actors to wear their own clothes and do their own makeup-and thus demand bigger budgets. Plus, he seemed to continue acting the entire time. He never said if he did that just for the income or because he truly enjoyed it.
Overall, a quick, somewhat entertaining read-but not nearly as good as it could have been.
I learned about some of the inns-and-outs of film making, including about obtaining permits, minimum wages for actors, editing, and more. But that said, this book seemed to leave a lot out, or just confused me. For example, In the course of less then a few years, Burns went from working with his friends and shooting a film at his parent's house to working with Jennifer Aniston and Cameron Diaz. What was it like to work with such big name stars for the first time? Was he nervous, did he feel "out of his league". Additionally, Burns mentioned that his mistake was moving beyond micro budget pictures and into acting (which he seemed to indicate wasn't a passion of his). But after making a micro budget film later in his career, he said he tired of asking actors to wear their own clothes and do their own makeup-and thus demand bigger budgets. Plus, he seemed to continue acting the entire time. He never said if he did that just for the income or because he truly enjoyed it.
Overall, a quick, somewhat entertaining read-but not nearly as good as it could have been.
July 8, 2017
Excellent. Inspirational. Awe inspiring. Ed forged his own path by following is dream despite the impossible realities he was faced with along the way - especially in the beginning while making his first film. But his luck, his preparedness meeting opportunity, led to ultimate success. He had a PA job at Entertainment Tonight. Robert Redford made an appearance for an interview. That's what you call opportunity. Ed has a film made already. That's what you call preparedness.
Es was lucky to know what he wanted to do the rest of his life at an early age while in college and he had the guts and will power to go for it. It was lucky though that someone advised him on faking a film class. So that was just plain luck that he fell into finding his dream job.
Es was lucky to know what he wanted to do the rest of his life at an early age while in college and he had the guts and will power to go for it. It was lucky though that someone advised him on faking a film class. So that was just plain luck that he fell into finding his dream job.
May 6, 2022
Knowing that Edward Burns does the best director commentaries I've ever listened to, I jumped when I saw he had written a book. While more an overview than the in-the-weeds how-to nature of his commentaries, this was a joy to read. (And utterly readable: I read it in two days.) In addition to making me want to track down the Burns films I haven't seen, it inspired me to keep going in my own creative endeavors. Unlike most memoirs from the entertainment business, the message isn't "keep going and your days of success will come" but rather the more poignant "keep going because that in itself is success."
November 29, 2022
An entertaining memoir by writer, director, and actor Edward Burns. Most known for his directorial debut The Brothers McMullen at age 25 and his performance in Saving Provate Ryan, this is an honest account of his ups and downs with his film and television career. In college in NY, he realized his calling was for screenwriting and despite the struggles to make it big in a difficult industry, he retains his vision for stories he wants to tell, continually defying the odds with low budgets and subpar equipment. He is thankful for directors who inspired him and is constantly writing and dreaming of the possibilities they opened up for him.
August 28, 2020
I’ve slowed down reading filmmaking books, but this one is really worth your time. It’s refreshing simply because of how honest Mr. Burns comes across. He states right up front that this is not a recipe for success, it’s simply how he got into the biz, and as you will see his definition of success is a healthier one than most other film books. Also great to read about his relationship (positive) with his parents particularly his Dad, and how that influenced his storytelling. A good one if you are interested in movies, or want to make your own!
May 8, 2017
Slim, quick, to the point, a wonderful set of lessons can be derived from Burns' tales of life in the movie trenches. I really enjoyed this and so should fans of his movies, but, particularly, those trying to make their first/micro-budget movies would gain a lot from it. It was written for them more than his audience. This book was not about his personal life, it is about what it takes to succeed doing what you love.
Highly recommended if you traffic in The Arts!
Highly recommended if you traffic in The Arts!
July 17, 2019
This is an excellent memoir about the very talented Ed Burns and his development as a screenwriter. For anyone who has any interest in making movies, or in reading a really good memoir, then this is the book for you. I have to also make a disclaimer here that I may have had a crush on him for a bit in the 90s, but I think I’m an impartial judge of his prose writing.
September 22, 2018
An in depth look at how one man started his career on fire in the film industry and slowly worked his way down the A list. Adapting to new technologies, Burns always found a way to keep his skin in the game. An important read for artists.
February 16, 2022
A quintessencial read for any aspiring filmmaker. Ed’s personal, no bullsh*t narration reads like a night at the bar with a mentor that has been there, seen the best and worst this industry has to offer, and still leaves you feeling charged up, ready to hit record on your own dreams.
December 31, 2018
A very interesting view of life in independent film making.
September 23, 2019
Such a great read for any artist of any kind in this life. This book is down-to-earth, and very inspiring.
February 18, 2020
behind the scene of a film maker .
May 15, 2024
Insider view, romantic, inspiring, informative, easy, read in a morning.
October 19, 2024
Interesting book about Ed burns.
October 22, 2014
This is an advance reading copy I got through a Goodreads giveaway, so the editing is a little rough here and there - I expect those will smooth out by the book's January release.
This is very much a business memoir. Burns spends a little time on his early life, but only because it's so inextricable from the creation of his first film "The Brothers McMullen." After that point the focus of the book is almost entirely on his work, with each chapter focusing on a film or acting project. One of the main themes of the book is Burns' learning and relearning what made his first two films (McMullen and "She's the One") hits right out of the box - keeping his projects small, intimate and character-driven, often with locales or milieux that are on a par with the characters in importance.
In the 2000s this emphasis on small scale and creator control took a turn with developments in digital technology that put viable film-quality images on handheld cameras and desktop computer editing suites. Distribution remains a major issue - one that hobbled several of Burns' middle-years films - but Team Burns became a trailblazer in online release and distribution through platforms like iTunes, Netflix and Amazon, cutting out the theatrical release almost altogether. (He remains a fan of the festival circuit as a means of generating buzz in the right quarters for his work.)
The book's style is easy and conversational, and goes down very smooth even if you're not familiar with the movies he's discussing. At 250-ish pages it's a quick and breezy read, and well worth a look for anyone with an interest in the film world.
This is very much a business memoir. Burns spends a little time on his early life, but only because it's so inextricable from the creation of his first film "The Brothers McMullen." After that point the focus of the book is almost entirely on his work, with each chapter focusing on a film or acting project. One of the main themes of the book is Burns' learning and relearning what made his first two films (McMullen and "She's the One") hits right out of the box - keeping his projects small, intimate and character-driven, often with locales or milieux that are on a par with the characters in importance.
In the 2000s this emphasis on small scale and creator control took a turn with developments in digital technology that put viable film-quality images on handheld cameras and desktop computer editing suites. Distribution remains a major issue - one that hobbled several of Burns' middle-years films - but Team Burns became a trailblazer in online release and distribution through platforms like iTunes, Netflix and Amazon, cutting out the theatrical release almost altogether. (He remains a fan of the festival circuit as a means of generating buzz in the right quarters for his work.)
The book's style is easy and conversational, and goes down very smooth even if you're not familiar with the movies he's discussing. At 250-ish pages it's a quick and breezy read, and well worth a look for anyone with an interest in the film world.
December 30, 2014
Now I will be looking for this author/actor/writer/director/producer everywhere. I enjoy movies, particularly Indie movies, but this author wasn't on my radar until now. What an interesting book about acting and making movies at the same time. The story opened up a whole new world to me. We all see movies, but what do we know about behind the scenes? No, not that rubbish you buy at the supermarket about famous people.
I believe Edward Burns did himself a great service writing this book, especially for folks like me who don't follow stars of any kind. I remember faces and know his from the cover but couldn't tell you a thing about what he has done before I read this book. Mr. Burns is the kind of passionate person that makes things happen and follows through on his beliefs. On so many levels, the book is fascinating and revealing. Burns sticks to his principles. This is the story of his career so far, and what a career it is. The book is loaded with tidbits about all kinds of famous folks and companies and recent film history. Sound dry? Well, it's not at all.
When I started this book, I wasn't sure what to think, but before long, it drew me in kept drawing me back to read. To the publisher's credit, this uncorrected proof has almost no errors. The few I noted were punctuation or so minor as to be passed over seamlessly.
I have a new appreciation for the Indie movies I love so much, knowing a little about how they are made, and the costs and hoops to jump through. Thank goodness for people like Edward Burns.
I received this book from Goodreads giveaways.
I believe Edward Burns did himself a great service writing this book, especially for folks like me who don't follow stars of any kind. I remember faces and know his from the cover but couldn't tell you a thing about what he has done before I read this book. Mr. Burns is the kind of passionate person that makes things happen and follows through on his beliefs. On so many levels, the book is fascinating and revealing. Burns sticks to his principles. This is the story of his career so far, and what a career it is. The book is loaded with tidbits about all kinds of famous folks and companies and recent film history. Sound dry? Well, it's not at all.
When I started this book, I wasn't sure what to think, but before long, it drew me in kept drawing me back to read. To the publisher's credit, this uncorrected proof has almost no errors. The few I noted were punctuation or so minor as to be passed over seamlessly.
I have a new appreciation for the Indie movies I love so much, knowing a little about how they are made, and the costs and hoops to jump through. Thank goodness for people like Edward Burns.
I received this book from Goodreads giveaways.
October 17, 2014
Full disclosure: I won an advance uncorrected proof of this book in a Goodreads Firstreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
I have actually never seen an Ed Burns directed film so I wasn't familiar with the bulk of the movies he talked about making in this book, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was drawn into the story of how each of his films was made. Now I want to find these movies and watch them. I'm also interested in watching his TNT series Public Morals when it comes out.
The book chronicles Burns' early surprise success with his first low budget film, his subsequent missteps and bad luck with a couple of larger budgeted movies and difficulties getting funding after than, and his return to his low budget roots. He also talks about how much easier it is to make a movie today versus when he started. The improved digital camera technology has eliminated the need for film and has brought the cost of making a movie down to the point where almost anyone can make a movie.
Burns' advice to young film students isn't exactly earth shaking:(Follow your dream. Do what you love.)But his story is inspiring. He offers encouragement to prospective filmmakers. The book is also very well written and is an easy read. Burns is foremost a writer and his book is evidence of this. I'm sure that people who are avid fans of his work will enjoy this book even more than I did.
I have actually never seen an Ed Burns directed film so I wasn't familiar with the bulk of the movies he talked about making in this book, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was drawn into the story of how each of his films was made. Now I want to find these movies and watch them. I'm also interested in watching his TNT series Public Morals when it comes out.
The book chronicles Burns' early surprise success with his first low budget film, his subsequent missteps and bad luck with a couple of larger budgeted movies and difficulties getting funding after than, and his return to his low budget roots. He also talks about how much easier it is to make a movie today versus when he started. The improved digital camera technology has eliminated the need for film and has brought the cost of making a movie down to the point where almost anyone can make a movie.
Burns' advice to young film students isn't exactly earth shaking:(Follow your dream. Do what you love.)But his story is inspiring. He offers encouragement to prospective filmmakers. The book is also very well written and is an easy read. Burns is foremost a writer and his book is evidence of this. I'm sure that people who are avid fans of his work will enjoy this book even more than I did.
February 27, 2015
Finished Edward Burns’ memoir “Independent Ed” and loved it!!! :D I’ve been a fan of Ed’s since I was 13 seeing his first 2 movies “The Brothers McMullen” & “She’s the One” on cable with my Dad, and when “Saving Private Ryan” came out. I loved his movies over the years and the way he writes his stories. It’s inspired my own writing and he gives so much great advice in this book not only for filmmakers & writers, but anyone who is creative and wants to follow their dreams. Loved the chapters dealing with my fav movies of his like “McMullen”, “She’s the One”, “The Fitzgerald Family Christmas”, “Purple Violets”, and the films & shows he acted in like “Confidence”, “Saving Private Ryan”, “15 Minutes”, “Mob City”, “Alex Cross”, “27 Dresses”, “The Holiday” and more. Found it interesting the almost plot in his own life of trying to make films about cops like his father & Irish gangsters. He tried so many times to get them made but it never worked out. However he’s finally getting his chance with his new show “Public Morals” that’ll air on TNT this summer!!! :D I’m so excited about this show from the way he talks about it and that it combines a lot of stuff I love too. It sounds like it’s going to be a mix of “Mad Men”, “The Sopranos”, “Boardwalk Empire”, and “Crime Story”, and will feature a lot of great actors alongside Ed too. It was so great getting to read Ed’s story from himself and as both a fan & a writer it was just fantastic. :D
October 30, 2014
Disclaimer: I received my copy free as part of a First Reads giveaway.
A solid 4, almost 5 stars
I like Ed Burns. I've never dreamed of making films. I made one 3 minute silent film in art school, but I've never been driven to tell a story with that form of art. Reading his perspective was enlightening. I know a film maker who does independent films and like Burns, does it because he has to.
Burns had unwavering support from his parents, both emotionally and financially but he was also lucky. And driven. Sometimes you have to make your luck and I think his passion was a big part of that.
What I really liked about this book aside from learning about an art I know little of, was it never got preachy beyond, "Do what you love". A lot of books about people following their dreams, explain all the ins and outs of doing something with unlimited budgets, etc. He never did this.
Truly an enjoyable read. Very enlightening about the business, the creative process, and the why artists do what they do. As someone who loves to write, I found similar parallels. I think of all the books I've read about people doing whatever art form they do (music, writing, photography), this was one of the best.
A solid 4, almost 5 stars
I like Ed Burns. I've never dreamed of making films. I made one 3 minute silent film in art school, but I've never been driven to tell a story with that form of art. Reading his perspective was enlightening. I know a film maker who does independent films and like Burns, does it because he has to.
Burns had unwavering support from his parents, both emotionally and financially but he was also lucky. And driven. Sometimes you have to make your luck and I think his passion was a big part of that.
What I really liked about this book aside from learning about an art I know little of, was it never got preachy beyond, "Do what you love". A lot of books about people following their dreams, explain all the ins and outs of doing something with unlimited budgets, etc. He never did this.
Truly an enjoyable read. Very enlightening about the business, the creative process, and the why artists do what they do. As someone who loves to write, I found similar parallels. I think of all the books I've read about people doing whatever art form they do (music, writing, photography), this was one of the best.
January 6, 2015
I won this book as part of a goodreads giveaway, but only now got around to writing a review despite finishing it quite a while back.
The book was quite engaging and yet a relatively easy read. (Whenever you had a moment, read some more.) Although I am not that much into movies, still, while reading it, I found myself wanting to learn more about (and watch) Ed's influences and the movies he has starred in. That really is the idea of passion: What you do better drive you and you will find a way to achieve it, hopefully to great success.
Much like David Byrne's How Music Works and the idea of music being adapted to its means of distribution, the changing nature of the industry (cost of high quality cameras now being inexpensive, same with distribution) and his decision to forgo the traditional theater release (small fish in a big pond) in favor of iTunes (at the time a novel concept) seemed a masterstroke. Especially Ed remarking to the naysayers that the picture quality on an iPod Touch is still way better than what he used to watch in film school.
The book was quite engaging and yet a relatively easy read. (Whenever you had a moment, read some more.) Although I am not that much into movies, still, while reading it, I found myself wanting to learn more about (and watch) Ed's influences and the movies he has starred in. That really is the idea of passion: What you do better drive you and you will find a way to achieve it, hopefully to great success.
Much like David Byrne's How Music Works and the idea of music being adapted to its means of distribution, the changing nature of the industry (cost of high quality cameras now being inexpensive, same with distribution) and his decision to forgo the traditional theater release (small fish in a big pond) in favor of iTunes (at the time a novel concept) seemed a masterstroke. Especially Ed remarking to the naysayers that the picture quality on an iPod Touch is still way better than what he used to watch in film school.
October 23, 2014
As a fan of Edward Burns’s movies, I found it very interesting the way he produces them. Like anyone who has a dream, they must believe in it and find a way, and he did. The book share a lot about how he strategizes with very little, but is able to accomplish a lot. It was not without hard work, determination and lots of passion. From him watching many movies, writing, taking classes, and working jobs in entertainment; he found his writing voice.
Nice Guy Johnny is one of my favorites of his, and to hear how the cast was selected was enlightening. As up and coming actors, they were hungry, professional, and had great chemistry on set which I found translated to the movie. Overall it was a great read on the movie industry processes. It was about hard work, passion, and surrounding yourself with likeminded people. Also, I found the book to be an easy read, down to earth like his movies. I received this book through Goodreads First Reads.
Nice Guy Johnny is one of my favorites of his, and to hear how the cast was selected was enlightening. As up and coming actors, they were hungry, professional, and had great chemistry on set which I found translated to the movie. Overall it was a great read on the movie industry processes. It was about hard work, passion, and surrounding yourself with likeminded people. Also, I found the book to be an easy read, down to earth like his movies. I received this book through Goodreads First Reads.
September 14, 2015
I loved every page of Independent Ed. As an Indi filmmaker, I found myself connecting to Ed Burns’ struggles of green lighting a project. Even if you are somebody, it is hard to get your project financed. Ed Burns’ self analysis made this book a page-turner. From his description of "The Brothers McMullen" to his life changing experience during "Saving Private Ryan," this book is a must read for any independent filmmaker. It covers the time span of when he first started interning at different companies in New York to his latest TV movie.
It would have been nice to see a step-by-step process he used on some of his independent projects just to see the comparison. Instead, he would often talk about the story and glaze over the “how to” part of his projects. This was not a mistake in the book, but if each project he discussed was less generic in it’s description, it would provide readers with more analysis.
It would have been nice to see a step-by-step process he used on some of his independent projects just to see the comparison. Instead, he would often talk about the story and glaze over the “how to” part of his projects. This was not a mistake in the book, but if each project he discussed was less generic in it’s description, it would provide readers with more analysis.
August 18, 2016
Fun, fast and easy read. Burns' chronicles his ups and downs as filmmaker and actor from his golden boy start winning status to starring in Spielberg movies and returning to his scrappy roots making no budget movies with his friends. While Burn's doesn't make crazy avant grade cinema, this book does really show he is a real deal independent filmmaker from being the first to premiere their movie on iTunes before anyone else or using off the shelf cameras to shoot his features. While his movies don't win Oscars, he loves movies and the process. this book is a must read for every one who struggles to make films or chase a dream. Burns is all optimism, passion, love and hard work. It's genuinely inspiring. The book is charming and goes down smooth. I knew pretty much all of it already but it was still a blast to read.
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