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What You Don't Learn In Film School: A Complete Guide To (Independent) Filmmaking
Multi Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Shane Stanley writes a book anyone and everyone should read if they want an entertainment industry insider's professional guidance on how to create a movie. This book is an especially invaluable tool to those who have or plan to, attend a college or university film school. Your Complete Guide To (Independent) Filmmaking. An in-depth, no holds barred look at making movies from 'concept to delivery' in today's ever-evolving climate while breaking down the dos and don'ts of (independent) filmmaking. Learn invaluable industry secrets from top to bottom and discover the truth about independent film distribution as the lid is torn off the many myths surrounding sales agents and today's release platforms that are certain to open readers' eyes - and ruffle a few feathers!
- GenresFilmNonfiction
216 pages, Paperback
Published January 31, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 24, 2018
If you peruse the shelves of the library or your physical and online book stores, you will probably find dozens of books about independent film making. The challenge is to find one that will render a down-to-earth workable guide that at its core will provide a good overview as to what goes into producing an independent film. You want a book that just doesn't talk about film making but rather one where the author provides his own personal life lessons and instincts. Moreover, you want to learn from someone who has “been there and done that” and hence credibility becomes crucial in your choice.
Shane Stanley, author of What you don't learn in Film School: A Complete Guide To (Independent) Film Making is someone that certainly would be the perfect fit as your trustworthy guide. He is a two-time Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and is best known for executive producing Gridiron Gang, the number one box office hit from SONY pictures. His resumé spans three decades as an editor, cameraman, writer, and producer.
In the opening chapters he rightfully emphasizes that independent film making is a business and you have to approach it in the same way you would any other business. Consequently, it is essential to become aware of its organizational and legal aspects and the pitfalls to avoid. In addition, you must surround yourself with people that know more than you concerning four consistent elements (five if you count location) that can ruin a film: cinematography, acting, production sound, editing and location. All of these factors must be taken into consideration when creating your business plan that will appeal to prospective investors. What is more, you must know and understand what every job entails in the budgeting of your film.
Other elements to consider are the identification of your audience, your content and the actors you hope to attach to your movie. Without doubt, prospective investors will look at these before committing himself or herself to finance your project as they are not so much interested in what you are selling but rather how you are selling it. Will you give them the biggest bang for their buck?
Above all, as mentioned, “relationships are the skeleton key to opening the right doors and closing deals. Without relationships (and a good reputation) you won't get much...” Stanley provides some sage advice when it comes to pitching your film to investors particularly, as he mentions, you are basically selling the magic and sizzle of Hollywood and most importantly, you are selling yourself along with the upside(or fallacy) of what the investment will return.
It is quite an eye-opener to explore along with Stanley the multitude of components that go into the film making process in the pre and post production stages covering topics as insurance, the importance of a good cinematographer, the Sag/Aftra bonds as well as their other matters, relationship with actors, some interesting comments concerning the Sundance Film Festival, the importance of a team approach, marketing and distribution, budgeting, the food you serve to your crew, filing of various documents in pre-production, rules concerning drugs, hiring and firing a crew, equipment and possible theft, health issues that can arise, film permits, the importance of preparedness, copyright issues, soundtrack problems, importance of editing in post-production, sales agents, deliverables and a host of other matters that continuously arise during the film production. It should be borne in mind, and as Stanley mentions, “the guide is written for the masses, not the one out of 10, 000 indie filmmakers every year who seem to make it big.” Basically, he is writing for those who will continue to make movies either full or part-time, but never will catch lightning in a bottle.
Insights abound in this superb guide book that comprises page after page of blue-chip treasures conveying priceless nuggets, wise advice, and practical tips and tricks that may save thousands of dollars in producing an independent film as well as a truckload of grief. Stanley effectively engages his readers' curiosity and forces them to pose questions concerning the process of their own independent film making and if in fact they are on the best path to its production. And as stated in the book, making movies of quality and on the cheap isn't easy. It requires an in-depth knowledge of the craft of film making, the ability to think lightening fast on your feet and at the same time having unlimited patience as well as a really thick skin. With a light writing tone, Stanley delivers to his audience the basic factors that cover the multitude of phases of the process of independent film making from concept to delivery-something that is rarely taught in film school.
Follow Here https://waa.ai/aaeY To Read Norm's Interview With Shane Stanley.
Shane Stanley, author of What you don't learn in Film School: A Complete Guide To (Independent) Film Making is someone that certainly would be the perfect fit as your trustworthy guide. He is a two-time Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and is best known for executive producing Gridiron Gang, the number one box office hit from SONY pictures. His resumé spans three decades as an editor, cameraman, writer, and producer.
In the opening chapters he rightfully emphasizes that independent film making is a business and you have to approach it in the same way you would any other business. Consequently, it is essential to become aware of its organizational and legal aspects and the pitfalls to avoid. In addition, you must surround yourself with people that know more than you concerning four consistent elements (five if you count location) that can ruin a film: cinematography, acting, production sound, editing and location. All of these factors must be taken into consideration when creating your business plan that will appeal to prospective investors. What is more, you must know and understand what every job entails in the budgeting of your film.
Other elements to consider are the identification of your audience, your content and the actors you hope to attach to your movie. Without doubt, prospective investors will look at these before committing himself or herself to finance your project as they are not so much interested in what you are selling but rather how you are selling it. Will you give them the biggest bang for their buck?
Above all, as mentioned, “relationships are the skeleton key to opening the right doors and closing deals. Without relationships (and a good reputation) you won't get much...” Stanley provides some sage advice when it comes to pitching your film to investors particularly, as he mentions, you are basically selling the magic and sizzle of Hollywood and most importantly, you are selling yourself along with the upside(or fallacy) of what the investment will return.
It is quite an eye-opener to explore along with Stanley the multitude of components that go into the film making process in the pre and post production stages covering topics as insurance, the importance of a good cinematographer, the Sag/Aftra bonds as well as their other matters, relationship with actors, some interesting comments concerning the Sundance Film Festival, the importance of a team approach, marketing and distribution, budgeting, the food you serve to your crew, filing of various documents in pre-production, rules concerning drugs, hiring and firing a crew, equipment and possible theft, health issues that can arise, film permits, the importance of preparedness, copyright issues, soundtrack problems, importance of editing in post-production, sales agents, deliverables and a host of other matters that continuously arise during the film production. It should be borne in mind, and as Stanley mentions, “the guide is written for the masses, not the one out of 10, 000 indie filmmakers every year who seem to make it big.” Basically, he is writing for those who will continue to make movies either full or part-time, but never will catch lightning in a bottle.
Insights abound in this superb guide book that comprises page after page of blue-chip treasures conveying priceless nuggets, wise advice, and practical tips and tricks that may save thousands of dollars in producing an independent film as well as a truckload of grief. Stanley effectively engages his readers' curiosity and forces them to pose questions concerning the process of their own independent film making and if in fact they are on the best path to its production. And as stated in the book, making movies of quality and on the cheap isn't easy. It requires an in-depth knowledge of the craft of film making, the ability to think lightening fast on your feet and at the same time having unlimited patience as well as a really thick skin. With a light writing tone, Stanley delivers to his audience the basic factors that cover the multitude of phases of the process of independent film making from concept to delivery-something that is rarely taught in film school.
Follow Here https://waa.ai/aaeY To Read Norm's Interview With Shane Stanley.
July 5, 2018
4.5 stars
“What You Don’t Learn in Film School” by Shane Stanley is a wonderful resource, both for those who are joining the filmmakers’ world and for anyone else who is going to be either a worker or a boss. Does that sound like most of us? Yes. The practical information and advice is beneficial not only to those who have gone through cinema school but to anyone entering the workforce. I was intrigued by the opportunity to read this book both because I grew up in LA and attended USC—so I interacted with multiple people bitten by the Hollywood bug—and a member of my extended family just graduated from Cinema School.
Yes, some of the concepts are proprietary to making movies, but the overall message…be prepared, treat everyone with respect, make connections, and be prepared (yes, that’s a deliberate repetition)…is applicable to any profession.
The author is generous about sharing his experiences and hard-won knowledge and isn’t afraid to relate his mistakes or his gems. The writing style is comfortable and easily absorbed, and the advice about things like getting decent insurance, writing certain details into contracts, being wary of deals that seem too good to be true, and making sure your product is properly protected are all invaluable. I think that most professional schools cram their students’ heads full of information but frequently forget to cover practical elements of life. This book does a great job of covering some of that lack.
A copy of this title was provided to me for review
“What You Don’t Learn in Film School” by Shane Stanley is a wonderful resource, both for those who are joining the filmmakers’ world and for anyone else who is going to be either a worker or a boss. Does that sound like most of us? Yes. The practical information and advice is beneficial not only to those who have gone through cinema school but to anyone entering the workforce. I was intrigued by the opportunity to read this book both because I grew up in LA and attended USC—so I interacted with multiple people bitten by the Hollywood bug—and a member of my extended family just graduated from Cinema School.
Yes, some of the concepts are proprietary to making movies, but the overall message…be prepared, treat everyone with respect, make connections, and be prepared (yes, that’s a deliberate repetition)…is applicable to any profession.
The author is generous about sharing his experiences and hard-won knowledge and isn’t afraid to relate his mistakes or his gems. The writing style is comfortable and easily absorbed, and the advice about things like getting decent insurance, writing certain details into contracts, being wary of deals that seem too good to be true, and making sure your product is properly protected are all invaluable. I think that most professional schools cram their students’ heads full of information but frequently forget to cover practical elements of life. This book does a great job of covering some of that lack.
A copy of this title was provided to me for review
August 17, 2021
Definitely has helpful information
February 25, 2023
As someone who hardly knows the first thing about the movie making process, I found this book very useful.
Shane walks the reader, step by step, through the making of a movie - in marvellous detail. He really does get into the weeds on just about every topic. From pre production, to distribution, and to managing all the relationships that come with the journey.
There is good reason for that though. It’s quite obvious that the devil is in the details. As Shane eludes to, no detail is too small that it can be avoided and the consequences of that decision (or ignorance) won’t be either seen on the screen or in the movie’s financial return. So, the reader/ filmmaker (aspiring or otherwise) is made a hell of a lot better off having laundry list of dos and dont’s when it comes to making a movie from someone who’s done it for decades, then a book that sells its reader a false sense of hope.
I do think, however, the book has room for improvement. Perhaps the greatest weakness of the book is that it operates on the assumption the reader/ filmmaker (aspiring or otherwise) has secured $500K in funding. While there is some mention of this area of the film making process in the book, I thought it was sparse. As this area is the lynchpin that separates filmmakers from wannabes, I think it’s deserving of more textual real estate.
That being said, if I ever do secure funding to create a movie, you can bet I’ll be consulting the pages of this book every step of the way.
Shane walks the reader, step by step, through the making of a movie - in marvellous detail. He really does get into the weeds on just about every topic. From pre production, to distribution, and to managing all the relationships that come with the journey.
There is good reason for that though. It’s quite obvious that the devil is in the details. As Shane eludes to, no detail is too small that it can be avoided and the consequences of that decision (or ignorance) won’t be either seen on the screen or in the movie’s financial return. So, the reader/ filmmaker (aspiring or otherwise) is made a hell of a lot better off having laundry list of dos and dont’s when it comes to making a movie from someone who’s done it for decades, then a book that sells its reader a false sense of hope.
I do think, however, the book has room for improvement. Perhaps the greatest weakness of the book is that it operates on the assumption the reader/ filmmaker (aspiring or otherwise) has secured $500K in funding. While there is some mention of this area of the film making process in the book, I thought it was sparse. As this area is the lynchpin that separates filmmakers from wannabes, I think it’s deserving of more textual real estate.
That being said, if I ever do secure funding to create a movie, you can bet I’ll be consulting the pages of this book every step of the way.
October 1, 2023
I am constantly looking for books to learn more about the filmmaking craft. This book is full of amazing and practical advice that is supported with personal stories.
On the down side, I was looking for something that I could use with high school student who take video production classes and participate in our school's film club. This is not the book for that purpose. It's still a good read, though, for people who are serious about working in the film industry.
On the down side, I was looking for something that I could use with high school student who take video production classes and participate in our school's film club. This is not the book for that purpose. It's still a good read, though, for people who are serious about working in the film industry.
July 22, 2023
Interesting perspective
February 8, 2025
- “I’d like to think you’ve chosen to support me and this project because you believe it’s a sound investment and I will do everything in my power to see that it is.”
- “Besides a good ROI, what are you hoping to gain from this experience?” and then shut your mouth and let them tell you.
- “Besides a good ROI, what are you hoping to gain from this experience?” and then shut your mouth and let them tell you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2024
I know, three stars seems a bit low, but this is my personal rating rather than a recommended rating. Overall there are some very good pieces of advice for inexperienced filmmakers and yes, much of this cannot be learned from film school. For me however, there was little here I did not already know, so it served me more as assurance about what (I think) I understand about filmmaking is true.
Having been reading quite a bit of heavy going science books lately, this also felt rather light on detail and content. It read more like the transcript of a three hour film school masterclass than a proper book. Still, hats of to Shane for maintaining that filmmaking passion - no matter what! ...and for taking the time to share knowledge with others, so they won't make the same mistakes he did.
Having been reading quite a bit of heavy going science books lately, this also felt rather light on detail and content. It read more like the transcript of a three hour film school masterclass than a proper book. Still, hats of to Shane for maintaining that filmmaking passion - no matter what! ...and for taking the time to share knowledge with others, so they won't make the same mistakes he did.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews