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Shooting to Kill: How an Independent Producer Blasts Through the Barriers to Make Movies that Matter
Complete with behind-the-scenes diary entries from the set of Vachon's best-known fillms, Shooting to Kill offers all the satisfaction of an intimate memoir from the frontlines of independent filmmakins, from one of its most successful agent provocateurs -- and survivors. Hailed by the New York Times as the "godmother to the politically committed film" and by Interview as a true "auteur producer," Christine Vachon has made her name with such bold, controversial, and commercially successful films as "Poison," "Swoon," Kids," "Safe," "I Shot Andy Warhol," and "Velvet Goldmine."Over the last decade, she has become a driving force behind the most daring and strikingly original independent filmmakers-from Todd Haynes to Tom Kalin and Mary Harron-and helped put them on the map. So what do producers do? "What don't they do?" she responds. In this savagely witty and straight-shooting guide, Vachon reveals trheguts of the filmmaking process--rom developing a script, nurturing a director's vision, getting financed, and drafting talent to holding hands, stoking egos, stretching every resource to the limit and pushing that limit. Along the way, she offers shrewd practical insights and troubleshooting tips on handling everything from hysterical actors and disgruntled teamsters to obtuse marketing executives. Complete with behind-the-scenes diary entries from the sets of Vachon's best-known films, Shooting To Kill offers all the satisfactions of an intimate memoir from the frontlines of independent filmmaking, from one of its most successful agent provocateurs-and survivors.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 38 reviews
November 8, 2015
I've read a lot of books on these subjects, but this is probably the best I've read so far, along with Sidney Lumet's "Making Movies", and even more informative. Both are highly readable, amusing, down to earth and generous books but Vachon's offers even more details and her deadpan feet-on-the ground advice is priceless, candid and mature. Sure, some of the technical stuff has changed since she wrote it. Those minor details can be skimmed. But most of it has not.
I highly recommend it to anyone dealing with movies, or who wants to, and not just those who want to produce an indie film, by any means. Technicians, directors and scriptwriters - especially those who grumble about producers - all ought to experience this book. Vachon puts you in their seat, with all the pitfalls (including a shooting interrupted by the LA earthquake of '95!), setbacks and insanity you should bear in mind. And all the (very drole) words of warning re festivals, film markets, distributors and every aspect that you could hope for. Generous is indeed an excellent description of this book!
I highly recommend it to anyone dealing with movies, or who wants to, and not just those who want to produce an indie film, by any means. Technicians, directors and scriptwriters - especially those who grumble about producers - all ought to experience this book. Vachon puts you in their seat, with all the pitfalls (including a shooting interrupted by the LA earthquake of '95!), setbacks and insanity you should bear in mind. And all the (very drole) words of warning re festivals, film markets, distributors and every aspect that you could hope for. Generous is indeed an excellent description of this book!
August 26, 2019
Excellent book about how to make a film happen when you don't have the money to do it. Better still, Christine shared many great stories about her interactions with others as well as what some of the productions endured.
The only problem is that the book has not been updated. There are many stories about budgeting for film, conversion, and processing, but most filmmakers use digital. The stories definitely have merit, but it would have been helpful to read about other production issues in a digital age.
The only problem is that the book has not been updated. There are many stories about budgeting for film, conversion, and processing, but most filmmakers use digital. The stories definitely have merit, but it would have been helpful to read about other production issues in a digital age.
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January 14, 2025There’s a lot of intricate dynamics and etiquette that I felt was out there but never taught to me. This book showed me that they do indeed exist. It’s mostly anecdotes and entries from real experiences and less about theory. You learn from her mistakes and hard earned wisdom.
Reading about production for Velvet Goldmine was fascinating. The difficulty and messiness of production on something with a decent budget was enlightening for how probably most independent films were and are still made.
Reading about production for Velvet Goldmine was fascinating. The difficulty and messiness of production on something with a decent budget was enlightening for how probably most independent films were and are still made.
December 18, 2010
Good, if a little dated by now in terms of digital film-making. There are sample budgets, complete with a line by line breakdown with real world explanations. That and the crew position descriptions were the highlights for me. Great to hear a personal perspective on a crew position, pitfalls, etc. -- rather then just a text book definition.
Would love to read an updated edition!
Would love to read an updated edition!
February 8, 2011
An indispensable guide for anyone who has the desire to create a film but none of the money. Vachon breaks down the film making process into a form that is easy to understand and follow. She effectively points out the problems encountered in low-budget film making so that you can avoid the majoriy of the pitfalls normally found by aspiring film artists.
August 3, 2009
i want to be friends with Christine Vachon.
January 13, 2013
An amazingly detailed view into producing independent films in the 1990s. Insightful, engaging, and bursting with advice borne of experience.
May 2, 2013
Must read for anyone wanting to do professional filmmaking. Includes real life story of producer plus outlines for budgets and what to expect as a producer.
March 9, 2022
I devoured "Shooting to Kill: How an Independent Producer Blasts Through the Barriers to Make Movies that Matter," appropriately enough, on a flight to and from a film festival. I have long been familiar with author Christine Vachon, as she and Ted Hope were the producers who redefined indie film in the 90s. And she brings her trademark no-bullshit frankness to this book while providing an indispensable treatise on producing.
A lot of books about producing are dry and technical, and a lot of books by producers are more juicy memoir than practical guide. In "Shooting to Kill," Vachon strikes the perfect balance between the two modes. She has some great stories, but they aren't gossip, they are war stories, meant to demonstrate how her battle plans hold up under pressure. Throughout the book, she alternates chapters of advice with pre-production, production, and post-production diaries as proofs of her formulations. It turns out, there are those who walk among us who can do and teach.
I haven't done a ton of producing and even I know most of the basic building blocks Vachon espouses. But, that should be the case in an introductory text. And regardless of how much experience you have as a producer, I have to imagine you will find her diary chapters really useful. For me, the most exciting diary was her recollection of selling films at Sundance and Cannes. I also appreciated how Vachon related the well-understood principle in Los Angeles that parties are important, so you shouldn't get distracted from schmoozing. And I found her stories from prep and set equally useful; I could easily see them being indispensable for someone else.
There are a lot of good guides to producing out there, but none of them are written with the panache, swagger, and frank Monday morning quarterbacking of this one. "Shooting to Kill" should be on every filmmaker's shelf. Even if producing in the 90s didn't have the same problems and even if film in the 90s was a different business, many of Vachon's lessons are timeless. And it's easy to see why she remains a force in the industry to this day.
A lot of books about producing are dry and technical, and a lot of books by producers are more juicy memoir than practical guide. In "Shooting to Kill," Vachon strikes the perfect balance between the two modes. She has some great stories, but they aren't gossip, they are war stories, meant to demonstrate how her battle plans hold up under pressure. Throughout the book, she alternates chapters of advice with pre-production, production, and post-production diaries as proofs of her formulations. It turns out, there are those who walk among us who can do and teach.
I haven't done a ton of producing and even I know most of the basic building blocks Vachon espouses. But, that should be the case in an introductory text. And regardless of how much experience you have as a producer, I have to imagine you will find her diary chapters really useful. For me, the most exciting diary was her recollection of selling films at Sundance and Cannes. I also appreciated how Vachon related the well-understood principle in Los Angeles that parties are important, so you shouldn't get distracted from schmoozing. And I found her stories from prep and set equally useful; I could easily see them being indispensable for someone else.
There are a lot of good guides to producing out there, but none of them are written with the panache, swagger, and frank Monday morning quarterbacking of this one. "Shooting to Kill" should be on every filmmaker's shelf. Even if producing in the 90s didn't have the same problems and even if film in the 90s was a different business, many of Vachon's lessons are timeless. And it's easy to see why she remains a force in the industry to this day.
November 22, 2018
In this book, the author—one of the most distinctive producers in independent film—offers a behind-the-scenes view of what a producer does. The text is peppered with anecdotes from films by Todd Haynes, Todd Solondz, and some directors not named Todd, and is interrupted by insets from others she works with about specific aspects of the process. The book even includes detailed sample budgets, which would be more useful to readers contemplating their own film than it was to me; I confess I skimmed them. Besides, they were based on technology twenty years ago. I wonder how the digital revolution has affected the economics, not only in the shooting stage but even more so in editing.
The style is chatty and informal, with just the right amount of humor and sass. It left me with a mixed message: you’d have to be out of your mind to live your life this way, but isn’t it wonderful? I’m convinced that both halves of that statement are true.
The style is chatty and informal, with just the right amount of humor and sass. It left me with a mixed message: you’d have to be out of your mind to live your life this way, but isn’t it wonderful? I’m convinced that both halves of that statement are true.
June 17, 2017
An excellent read for anyone getting started in independent film. Eighty percent of the challenges remain the same and while costs like film stock and development have all but disappeared new ones have emerged to take their place. The supplemental materials, like the budget breakdowns and questionnaire examples, are a boon for anyone starting out.
Additionally, it's always exciting for film enthusiasts to read about the behind the scenes of actual movie productions. No matter the scale.
Read if you love the movies she helped produce, independent cinema or are interested in making films at any level.
Additionally, it's always exciting for film enthusiasts to read about the behind the scenes of actual movie productions. No matter the scale.
Read if you love the movies she helped produce, independent cinema or are interested in making films at any level.
October 17, 2024
christine's diary entries, budget sheets, and disaster stories were the most valuable part of this book. her passion and grit was infectious and inspired me to continue to believe in the path that i'm pursuing. reading this book was like having lunch with an independent producer. she does her best to explain what an actual day of a producer looks like. some of the stuff was outdated (like the film era) and im sure the inner workings of hollywood has changed a bit. but good insight especially for someone who knows nothing coming in.
March 13, 2021
I love her style of writing because she was just speaking through the process. And so matter of fact but also fun. Having lived with people from the film industry and particularly film producers for most of my life, I had seen most of the things she was talking through. And the two film producers in my life are in the middle of two very big productions which I have been watching evolve so it’s an even more apt time to have read this.
July 21, 2025
a bit dated but also … not???? the industry/tech models have changed Drastically but the mindset still felt inspiring / actionable. comprehensive too, more memorable / challenging than other like industry primers that skew…textbooky and are hard to recall/apply… and appealed to with multiple learning styles too: case study/“journal” formats / sample budget and call documents with memorable breakdowns / term definitions etc… yeah good stuff really enjoyed
August 9, 2019
Answers to all the questions I was afraid to sound dumb asking interspersed with diary entries from the production of Velvet Goldmine, so yeah, pretty much perfect. Makes what could be pretty dry technical info accessible and chatty and includes VG photos even I, a person who went through a phase of watching that film trawling fan sites daily in high school, had never seen.
January 30, 2023
Christine is hilarious, and sharp as a tack. This is a sobering confessional from one of the great producers of our time - well worth a read if you have any passing interest in how independent films are made.
August 26, 2019
absolutely entertaining and educational throughout.
August 29, 2020
A bit out of date, because technology has advanced so much, but a fun read with a lot of insight to what goes into producing a film.
February 16, 2021
Excellent look at day to day life of a film producer. Fun for someone not in the industry, though I did skip so of the details such as how to budget a film!
April 10, 2021
An amazing book for up and coming producers. A must read. The technology has changed, but the principles of filmmaking remain the same.
April 9, 2023
Funny and irreverent, but dated and with how fast the film industry moves this has become a bit of a relic.
November 26, 2023
really enjoyed! christine has touched every film i’ve ever loved. wow. some parts were outdated—i hope she does a 2nd edition soon!
May 13, 2024
My Bible
April 20, 2025
How to be inspired to make a film in 320 pages.
July 17, 2025
OMG probably the best book to read about the world of cinema. Couldn’t recommend to anyone more who’s interested in how the cogs turn in the machine. Long live Christine Vachon.
April 14, 2011
saskia called this book "generous" and i still can't think of a better word to describe it. a very smart, detailed inside look at running an independent film company during the '90s. great daily production diaries from the making of "velvet goldmine." plus, line by line explanations/summaries of production budgets for various sized indie films.
vachon has a steely fierceness but also a remarkable amount of candor about how often she has to either make shit up or just leap into some unknown. the tone is really set very early, where she talks about the early days of her work with director todd haynes:
Many people think that if you're not in a state of crisis on a movie, you're not really working... When we started making movies together, he said, "Don't yell at me and I won't yell at you. Let's just not be like that."...The amount of time spent trying to blame somebody else is simply not worth it. The bottom line is, you cannot be a producer unless you understand that it's all your fault.
looking forward to reading the newer follow-up. (i'd read parts of this one before but never the whole thing - despite some very dated specs around technology, the underlying principles are totally the same.)
vachon has a steely fierceness but also a remarkable amount of candor about how often she has to either make shit up or just leap into some unknown. the tone is really set very early, where she talks about the early days of her work with director todd haynes:
Many people think that if you're not in a state of crisis on a movie, you're not really working... When we started making movies together, he said, "Don't yell at me and I won't yell at you. Let's just not be like that."...The amount of time spent trying to blame somebody else is simply not worth it. The bottom line is, you cannot be a producer unless you understand that it's all your fault.
looking forward to reading the newer follow-up. (i'd read parts of this one before but never the whole thing - despite some very dated specs around technology, the underlying principles are totally the same.)
January 9, 2008
Christine Vachon has quite the knack for writing and this book is crammed with all kinds of useful information about the roles of an independent producer. Can’t wait to read her next book, seeing as when this one was written, Velvet Goldmine was still being edited. Really makes one want to get out there and do stuff...if that's your thing, you know?
June 25, 2011
Excellent book, full of personal stories on producing an independent film. One minor issue I had with it, and it wasn't with the book itself, but it deals a lot with the author's experience producing a movie called Happiness. HAPPINESS IS A TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE MOVIE!!!
Thankfully I never saw it until I was finished with the book, otherwise I would have burned the damn thing.
Gr
Thankfully I never saw it until I was finished with the book, otherwise I would have burned the damn thing.
Gr
August 16, 2013
I think the author of one of my favorite series just came up with my favorite of the five books. Shooting to Kill is complicated and complex, and you'll be puzzled by who did what and who murdered the loveable vet, but you'll also, if you're a fan like me, be glad to enter Thea Campbell's familiar world and greet again all the people you've come to know. A great page-turner.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 38 reviews