How to Make an Indie Feature

by Dennis Lanson

"Required fiction for any gonzo auteur sentimental about the dusty days of filmmaking" --Edie Meidav, author, Kingdom of the Young and Lola California. "A wonderful book that is at once a cautionary tale and an exhortation for independent filmmakers" --Stephen Billlias, author, The American Book of the Dead and Quest for the 36 "Anyone who has tried to create a project that requires the participation of others will connect with this story in a heartbeat" --John Scherber, author, Into the Heart of Mexico and A Writer's Notebook. When filmmaker Victor Gaines has his script rejected for the umpteenth time, he resolves to make his film ROADKILL on his own. In this "memoir" about his ensuing trials, and triumphs, he has his negative stolen, finds himself lied to by a wide assortment of unscrupulous producers, and forges a family enterprise of actors and crew, all working for nothing, on a noirish tale about two men who are doubles, one a history teacher running from his wife with a student lover, and the other a murderer. A lightly fictionalized telling of the author's actual experience. A must-read for all would-be filmmakers, and an insightful exploration into the passion of the creative psyche.

248 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 18, 2018

Reviews

[Time Winters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fraught fun as a Don Quixote makes a Feature Film in Ojai...

This book humorously details the obstacles(read that as "Everest-sized brick walls" ) and living life as an artist in the pursuit of a dream of making an indie film. Mr. Lanson captures the complexities and humanity of the experience and makes one admire the chutzpah and dedication of Victor Gaines in getting a feature to completion. Needless to say this book should be read by everyone wanting to make a first independent feature film and just perhaps as required reading in every film-making class in the world. Bravo!