The Independent Film Producer's Survival Guide: A Business and Legal Sourcebook

Rating:
Summary: Thorough, Smart, Fast-reading
Review: Having already produced one feature film -- raising [money]via private investors and a pre-sale to a studio -- I had traveled the thorny path of indepedent production and wanted to see how my experiences compared with this "how-to" guide and what, if anything, I could learn. I ended up very impressed. The writers obviously have worked in many financing worlds and give you quick lessons -- and warnings -- on how to keep mounting. The read is quick-witted, savvy, encouraging. A rare example of a genuine resource book. For first time producers or battle-tested veterans.

Rating:
Summary: The bible of independent film producer
Review: If you are or want to become an independent film producer, this book will give you all of the business/legal knowledge of filmmaking you need. Even though I have not finished the book yet, I've already found this book to be extremely valuable. Because I am planning to produce a new film next year, I even called up Mr. Tulchin directly for legal advice. He was very friendly and took the time to give me great advices and was very knowledgeable in not just U.S. based entertainment law but also international entertainment law as well. Read this book and you will find it worth more than what you paid for!!!

Rating:
Summary: This Book Rocks!!!
Review: Im am a independent movie producer and this is probaly the best book I have ever read. It explains the bare nuts and bolts of independent producing of movies. It has all of the forms and stuff you need to produce. This is defiantly the best book of it's class

Rating:
Summary: boffo!
Review: My wife and her friend just finished a screenplay. We're all amateurs especially on the business side. This book is chock full of information and is like a roadmap. What a a godsend! Thanks.

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Summary: The 'business' of 'show business' explained
Review: One thing that isn't taught that much at film schools is how many contracts are generated and how much time you spend negotiating deals. Our first film is still in post-production (April 2003) and we already have a filing cabinet filled with contracts and paperwork. I wish this book had been available when we started production. The chapter on delivery requirements alone is worth every penny. In it you'll find out what a distributor will want along with your film. Don't forget the still photographer on the set and behind the scenes! Great and easy read, too.

Rating:
Summary: Bravo!
Review: The Independent Film Producer's Survival Guide is the most practical and concrete text on the Hollywood deal-making process that I have read to date. Its succinct presentation of the independent film business-legal process is welcome. Many of the real-world examples of independent producers struggling to secure the deal are thought provoking and encouraging. I believe that any independent film producer who reads and applies the information contained in the Survival Guide can only win. Film schools should seriously consider adding this publication to their list of reference texts.

Rating:
Summary: If you are a filmmaker you MUST buy this book!!!
Review: This book not only lays down everything you need to make and sell an independent film but even provides you with the forms and contracts to do it with! It is a very easy read and the experience these authors have in unsurpassed in the film industry so listen to what they have to say!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent resource
Review: This is an excellent resource for anyone in the film business. It provides comprehensive information about every aspect of the film business. Invaluable guidance for film professionals.

Rating:
Summary: More Than a Great Book--It's a Public Service
Review: This is more than a great book--it's a public service. The
authors share insights from their decades of legal and
entertainment production experience, in essence offering
thousands of dollars of free legal advice to aspiring
independent producers. Beyond offering a roadmap of business-
planning steps, the book includes templates of numerous legal
forms that an independent producer might need. Meanwhile, in
clear and artful prose, they alternate between You're-Not-God
straight talk and You-Can-Do-It encouragement. Between the
lines, there seems to be a genuine interest in helping
important stories and quality independent work to see the
light of day. I've read other books on the business side of
entertainment that were helpful, but this stands out as the
best of the lot.

Rating:
Summary: More Than a Great Book--It's a Public Service
Review: This is more than a great book--it's a public service. The
authors share insights from their decades of legal and
entertainment production experience, in essence offering
thousands of dollars of free legal advice to aspiring
independent producers. Beyond offering a roadmap of business-
planning steps, the book includes templates of numerous legal
forms that an independent producer might need. Meanwhile, in
clear and artful prose, they alternate between You're-Not-God
straight talk and You-Can-Do-It encouragement. Between the
lines, there seems to be a genuine interest in helping
important stories and quality independent work to see the
light of day. I've read other books on the business side of
entertainment that were helpful, but this stands out as the
best of the lot.