Film Production : The Complete Uncensored Guide to Filmmaking

by MERRITT, GREG

• ISBN13: 9780943728995
• ISBN10: 0943728991
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 1999-02-01
• Publisher: Lone Eagle

Summary

The fastest growing segment of the film business is the production and distribution of small, lower budget, independently financed films. Too much of what passes for movie making instruction is either an empty pep talk or a collection of impractical generalities. Film Production cuts through the fluff and provides the reader with the real-world facts about producing. Topics covered include: pre-production; principal photography; post-production; distribution; script structure and dialogue; raising money; limited partner ships; scheduling and budgeting; cast and crew; production equipment; editing; scoring; publicity; festivals; foreign distribution; video and more.

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS	X	(1)
INTRODUCTION	XI
PRE-PREPRODUCTION	3	(30)
1 / SCRIPT	3	(14)
writers	4	(2)
idea	6	(1)
structure	7	(3)
character	10	(1)
dialogue	11	(1)
low-budget rules	12	(2)
blood, sex & action	14	(1)
shooting script	15	(2)
2 / MONEY	17	(16)
investors	17	(2)
selling your dream	19	(2)
corporations	21	(1)
limited liability company	22	(1)
limited partnership	22	(2)
foreign financing	24	(2)
bank loans	26	(2)
grants	28	(1)
credit cards	29	(1)
by any means necessary	30	(3)
PREPRODUCTION	33	(86)
3 / SCHEDULE	33	(4)
timetable example	33	(1)
breakdown & shooting schedule	34	(2)
shooting strategy	36	(1)
4 / BUDGET	37	(9)
preparation	37	(1)
arbitrary sample budgets	38	(7)
deferrals	45	(1)
5 / PAPERWORK	46	(7)
insurance	46	(3)
permits	49	(1)
releases	50	(3)
6 / SPACE	53	(5)
locations	53	(3)
stages	56	(1)
offices	57	(1)
7 / CAST	58	(17)
casting directors	58	(1)
trolling for talent	59	(4)
auditions	63	(3)
recognizable names	66	(2)
SAG	68	(2)
non-SAG	70	(2)
minors	72	(1)
extras	72	(1)
rehearsals	73	(2)
8 / CREW	75	(13)
writer, director, & producer	78	(1)
more producers	79	(1)
unit production manager & assistant director	80	(1)
cinematographer & assistants	81	(1)
editor	82	(1)
production design	83	(1)
sound	84	(1)
script supervisor	84	(1)
gaffer & electricians	85	(1)
grips	85	(1)
make-up & hair	86	(1)
wardrobe	86	(1)
production assistants	87	(1)
9 / FOOD	88	(2)
10 / STOCK	90	(9)
black & white, color	90	(1)
35mm, Super 16mm, 16mm, video	91	(2)
computing	93	(2)
shopping	95	(4)
11 / STUFF	99	(9)
camera package	99	(2)
dolly	101	(1)
lighting / grip package	102	(1)
truck & generator	103	(1)
sound equipment	104	(1)
expendables	104	(1)
art department/set construction	105	(1)
props	105	(1)
wardrobe	106	(1)
miscellaneous	106	(2)
12 / LAB, PART 1	108	(2)
13 / PUBLICITY, PART 1	110	(4)
spreading the word, part 1	110	(2)
stills	112	(1)
free stuff	112	(2)
14 / PREPRODUCTION GUT CHECK	114	(5)
the day before	115	(4)
PRODUCTION	119	(32)
15 / MAKING A MOVIE	119	(13)
a typical day	119	(1)
producing	120	(1)
assistant directing	121	(1)
continuity	122	(2)
speed	124	(2)
sound	126	(1)
special effects & stunts	127	(4)
dailies	131	(1)
16 / DIRECTING A MOVIE	132	(9)
communication	133	(2)
coverage	135	(2)
shot lexicon	137	(2)
style	139	(2)
17 / SAVING A MOVIE	141	(10)
pickups	141	(1)
scheduling problems	142	(2)
budget problems	144	(2)
people problems	146	(1)
wrap	147	(4)
POST-PRODUCTION	151	(24)
18 / PICTURE EDITING	151	(6)
technique	151	(2)
nonlinear	153	(2)
linear	155	(1)
"old school"	155	(2)
19 / MUSIC	157	(5)
composer	157	(2)
prerecorded songs	159	(3)
20 / SOUND EDITING	162	(4)
dialogue	163	(1)
effects & music	163	(1)
mix	164	(2)
21 / STOP!	166	(4)
the road from here	166	(4)
22 / LAB, PART 2	170	(5)
sound revisited	170	(1)
titles & opticals	171	(1)
negative cutting	171	(1)
prints	172	(3)
DISTRIBUTION	175	(50)
23 / PUBLICITY, PART 2	175	(7)
press kits	175	(1)
spreading the word, part 2	176	(2)
marketing	178	(4)
24 / FESTIVALS	182	(7)
major fests	182	(3)
the rest of the fests	185	(4)
25 / DOMESTIC THEATRICAL	189	(18)
the companies	190	(6)
legalese	196	(3)
miscellaneous ancillary	199	(1)
The circuit	200	(2)
money back	202	(3)
four-walling	205	(2)
26 / FOREIGN	207	(5)
theatrical	207	(3)
video	210	(1)
television	210	(2)
27 / DOMESTIC VIDEO	212	(4)
28 / DOMESTIC TV & BEYOND	216	(9)
basic	217	(1)
premium	218	(2)
new options	220	(5)
POST-POST-PRODUCTION	225	(2)
29 / REFLECTION	225	(2)
APPENDIX	227	(3)
INDEX	230	(8)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR	238