Rating: 
Summary: An hilarious, frightening, and totally informative book.
Review: A great book for wannabe filmmakers, and established indies who need a blast of inspiration with more than a few words of warning. As an indie producer with seven features to my credit, Vachon's book will become well-thumbed and marked-up as I struggle through the wonderful hell of trying to get U.S. financing for one of my new films. The only down note for me was the fact that it is very, very close to a book that I'm writing about making low-budget films. (Called GUERILLA FILMMAKING: 101) Thanks Christine, for being so generous with your wisdom and so entertaining with your writing.
Rating:
Summary: An hilarious, frightening, and totally informative book.
Review: A great book for wannabe filmmakers, and established indies who need a blast of inspiration with more than a few words of warning. As an indie producer with seven features to my credit, Vachon's book will become well-thumbed and marked-up as I struggle through the wonderful hell of trying to get U.S. financing for one of my new films. The only down note for me was the fact that it is very, very close to a book that I'm writing about making low-budget films. (Called GUERILLA FILMMAKING: 101) Thanks Christine, for being so generous with your wisdom and so entertaining with your writing.
Rating: 
Summary: Who does she want to kill?
Review: Beware of Christine Vachon. Her book is informative and a useful read for any aspiring "indie" director. But although Christine herself seems to be a pleasant person, I would not really want to work for her as a director. Anyway not on her terms. Her aim seems to be to produce expensive films with little money, whereas I prefer to work in simple films with sufficient time and money. Why? because filmmaking ought to be fun. Having to run against the watch is no good proposition in art, any art, be it filmmaking, or else. She believes that people "above the line" should be paid peanuts (she says "pocket money") or nothing at all, whereas my position (as a director) is that everybody has to be paid, because everybody needs to eat and pay the rent. And concerning her films, I saw only one of them ("Happiness"). It contains many good scenes, but also a lot of flaws, which made it finally objectionable. Too bad, Christine, better spend a little more money on the screenplay. This is the one thing you cannot change when the shoot has started...
Rating:
Summary: Who does she want to kill?
Review: Beware of Christine Vachon. Her book is informative and a useful read for any aspiring "indie" director. But although Christine herself seems to be a pleasant person, I would not really want to work for her as a director. Anyway not on her terms. Her aim seems to be to produce expensive films with little money, whereas I prefer to work in simple films with sufficient time and money. Why? because filmmaking ought to be fun. Having to run against the watch is no good proposition in art, any art, be it filmmaking, or else. She believes that people "above the line" should be paid peanuts (she says "pocket money") or nothing at all, whereas my position (as a director) is that everybody has to be paid, because everybody needs to eat and pay the rent. And concerning her films, I saw only one of them ("Happiness"). It contains many good scenes, but also a lot of flaws, which made it finally objectionable. Too bad, Christine, better spend a little more money on the screenplay. This is the one thing you cannot change when the shoot has started...
Rating:
Summary: Highly entertaining look at Independent Producing.
Review: Definitely the most readable book on the subject of Independent Producing that I've ever read. Writing from her own experience makes this anecdotal book on producing much less dry than any other I've read. Not for those looking for a handbook, this offering gives you a real feel of what it's like to be an independent producer and insight on how she's made it happen. I love that her tone throughout is "this is how I did this" and not "this is how it must be done." Excellent starting point for anyone interested in independent film production.
Rating:
Summary: A smart, funny, crazy ride through the world of indie film.
Review: Film geeks and buffs, indie wannabes, aspiring producers and directors, folks who actually work in film production, and anyone at all interested in filmmaking: this book rocks. Vachon takes you through development, financing, production , and release, making you feel like you are actually there, going through all the trials of making a movie.Vachon, a NY producer responsible for indie flicks such as I SHOT ANDY WARHOL, SAFE, KIDS, and the upcoming VELVET GOLDMINE takes you deep into the insane world of indie filmmaking, doling out loads of advice along with crazy anecdotes gleamed from working in production. The book is divided into chapters on development, financing, budgets, shooting, postproduction, and distribution. But don't be fooled into thinking this is a dry textbook. The production stuff is actually *really* interesting and avoids getting bogged into boring technical jargon. The writing is lucid and has a dry sarcastic edge that produced giggles while reading. Vachon spices things up with diary entries written while shooting that are filled with a mix of *gossip* and horror stories. Vachon has an enourmous amount of passion for movies -- and it shows. This book is a must for anyone interested in contemporary film.
Rating:
Summary: Best behind the scenes indie film book I've ever read
Review: Having just directed a low-budget feature in Hollywood, I wish I had read this book beforehand (and I certainly wish my producer had read it). Vachon breaks down the process, making it understandable to even the most novice film fan. The writing is gutsy, the tales from the trenches always interesting. One of the must-reads if you're at all interested in making movies.
Rating:
Summary: Best behind the scenes indie film book I've ever read
Review: Having just directed a low-budget feature in Hollywood, I wish I had read this book beforehand (and I certainly wish my producer had read it). Vachon breaks down the process, making it understandable to even the most novice film fan. The writing is gutsy, the tales from the trenches always interesting. One of the must-reads if you're at all interested in making movies.
Rating:
Summary: Learn Filmmaking Without Paying
Review: I learned a lot from this book--it's very informative about exactly what it is that indie producers do (and don't) do. I ALSO learned that, to echo a previous reviewer, I'd never want to work for or with Christine Vachon, and actually feel glad that we're in different cities. It seems like every third page contains another story about a time she blew up or shouted at someone, and a lot of her 'inside anecdotes' smell a lot like someone settling scores with people who can't fight back. I've never read a book before where it seemed like the author spent 300 pages being GRUMPY.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Book, Iffy Author
Review: I learned a lot from this book--it's very informative about exactly what it is that indie producers do (and don't) do. I ALSO learned that, to echo a previous reviewer, I'd never want to work for or with Christine Vachon, and actually feel glad that we're in different cities. It seems like every third page contains another story about a time she blew up or shouted at someone, and a lot of her 'inside anecdotes' smell a lot like someone settling scores with people who can't fight back. I've never read a book before where it seemed like the author spent 300 pages being GRUMPY.
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