The Guerilla Film Makers Handbook by Chris Jones, Genevieve Jolliffe, 0826447139, Lowest Book Price Finder

Customer Reviews:

The only guide to low-budget filmmaking you'll ever need

This is, in a word, brilliant. Indie filmmakers Chris Jones and Genevieve Jolliffe are quite remarkable, not only for their achievements in the film industry but also for this wonderful compendium of how-tos and how-not-tos relating to the world of low-budget filmmaking.

Everything is covered in this terrific book from film stock and processing to drawing up contracts and even the perils of casting your mates as actors ! Anything you could possibly want to know about the filmmaking process is included and I was particularly impressed by the relevance of the stories from Jones and Jolliffe's various shoots. You always feel as though the information imparted is intended to teach aspiring filmmakers a few useful lessons rather than to simply brag. There are so many useful tips that I can't begin to put them down here but I do think it's worth mentioning the amount of detail given to contracts and accountants, in other words the business side of the business. When starting out, paperwork can be easily ignored and the authors pay close attention to this, as well as making the subject genuinely intriguing.

I can say absolutely that this book is a necessary buy for anyone serious about making a movie and, from someone who's studied film, it'll teach you more than you'll ever learn at uni and possibly film school. Forget any other publication on the subject-this really is the Holy Grail us hopeless hopefuls have been searching for. I dropped out of a film degree but reading this book has inspired me to return to what I love so there's no better recommendation than that !

The only book that could possibly better this one is the next in the series, the Guerilla Filmmaker's Blueprint. This actually takes you through the process of making a film on a shoestring, holding your hand through every step. So excuse me, I'm just nipping off to buy it !

not really a guerrilla handbook

this book has very interesting information on how to start film production from scratch and see it through to its failure or triumph.
it has a wealth of info from accounts and solicitors to marketing and exhibition with interesting and informative case studies.
however... it is not a guerrilla filmakers handbook. coming to this book after reading the positive reviews and recommendations
i expected an all out attack on compliance with regulation and obscene budget restriction. economics plays a large role in this book and often artistic ideas or drive is ignored.
for a film book there are a few mistakes in research. quotes from filmmakers are added throughout the book to give it seem integrity. these are often in occordance to the writer's bias on their beloved action films using a quote by samuel goldwyn that surely could be used as an attack on guerilla filmaking(!): 'picture are for entertainment, message should be delivered by western union'. surely a no-budget guerrilla filmaker has no money, no large budget spectacle and so often HAS no rely on messages to spread their vision. thier is also a quote listed as by godard but which is originally by dw griffith, unrecognised here, which contradicts by stating a closer truth to guerilla filmaking 'all you need for a movie is a gun and a girl'.

if you want an in depth overview of the process of starting and finishing a film production this book is great, a wealth of info.

if you want to make a no-budget guerilla film buy an old cheap 2nd hand camera, get on the streets and film!

Superb

I am a photographer and my son is a Media Student:we will soon be making epicc films. This book is a perfect starting point for us both. As a pro photographer I can tell that it is written by pros and it is full of useful and inspiring material. A must at any level. It has specifics on lighting, sound etec etc and leaves little room for any improvement.

Six stars

Great book. Short chapter from different experts in the film business. Great reference, easy to read. Anyone who has any interest in film making will find this book an interesting read. Covers just about every aspect of film making.

It Just Keeps Getting Better

An excellent guide to independent no-budget film making. I carry my copy round with me! It's one of those books you just keep going back to time and time again.

One of it's best features are the case studies, and attention paid to selling and marketing a film once it's finished - an oft neglected subject, and one which can mean the difference between your film being released and gathering dust on a shelf!

I'm looking forward to the Digital Video update!

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