Rating: 
Summary: film gilm bilm dilm wilm just make your film
Review: Michael Dean knows a bunny and there is a bunny that knows Michael Dean. Know that this bunny got his ears by working with Michael and two supposededly difurnt people came together and helped each other out. If you love life and you love art and you're sick of all the stupid preatenshuss people and their legacy of standards and but kissing- then you'll appreciate what Michael has to offer in his book. Michael has his own intuitive guide who drags him along and his guide must be pretty good so far cause he somehow makes a living off of trying to inspire people after having been a total dirt bag. Michael doesn't pay homage to those who die with a needle in their arm hoping someone will make a DIY movie on them, he wants you to keep living so you can show the world what love is all about. That is what 30 Dollar film school is. If you're some pedantic nanny who thinks he or she knows something about art and you think that Michael is full of it- well I can attest to his work ethic and I can attest to his ability to listen to people who believe in themselves and that's why I'm poor and I'm disowning my family because I'm crazy and you should by his book so he can pay his rent and then you can make a movie and can give this book to someone else and what goes around comes around. Love bunny!
Rating: 
Summary: A definite must if you want to "just shoot it"
Review: where was this book two years ago! just completed SWEETS Titanium Edition DVD. much of what i learned thru mistakes was addressed in this book. it would have saved alot of headaches and cash. ...
Rating:
Summary: FYI: DIY or DIE
Review: It's like this: I know the author well enough to love him but not swap fluids with him and though he's taken plenty of heat for it in the past, he still has the will to shine his own light on his own accomplishments and you'd do well to learn why and how from his example. This book is a terrific way to do that.It is a supreme act of love and faith in "Doing It Yourself" that has compelled him to walk his road, hone his craft, take his lumps, collect the proof and now write about it so you can make your own work into something others are willing to watch and grow from, no matter how broke you are IF you're willing to make the effort to resist puerile vanity, share the credit and, as the kids say "keep it real." With all the examples, suggestions, interviews and working forms he's included (the latter bonus saving you having to learn which ones are even necessary) this it much more than just a "How-To" book. With actual reality behind it, it's also a "Don't-Bother-With" book which may be it's most important value-added feature. For more wisdom on this subject, check out his self-produced DVD, "D.I.Y. or Die: Burn This DVD, How To Survive as an Independent Artist" or his self-published novel "Starving In The Company of Beautiful Women." Though I'm more or less quoted in $30 Dollar Film School, in no way at any time will I personally benefit if you buy this book. I sincerely believe that you could if you did but every ad you've ever endured, including the ones here, has told you the same thing. But just reading this far proves to me that you'd be better off as an independent producer than a dependent consumer so if, like me, you know the future's for those who can produce something with their own hands that other people need, you'll own this book and use it. At least demand that your local corporate bookstore keep it in stock. You can always read it while loitering in the store and it might help sell the book.
Rating:
Summary: The Best $... I've Spent In A Long Time
Review: I got this book after spending time in a much more expensive version of film school. "Thirty Dollar Film School" gives a lot of practical advice on topics such as financing and distributing a movie that are completely absent from a conventional film school. Add to this the personal experiences that Michael shares in this book along with all of the stuff that on the CD-ROM and you have one rock-solid book. If you have any intention of ever making an independant film in your life, this is one book that you'd be a complete idiot not to buy, read and use.
Rating:
Summary: Lots of info and illustrations
Review: This is an excellent, fun-to-read book for those of us secretly aspiring to becoming a filmmaker someday... or just wanting to improve our home digital videos. It covers the entire spectrum of independent filmmaking, with good chapters on editing and advanced editing techniques. The same advice should also help you make better home videos (that's what I'm using the book for). The book has tons of illustrations to show you how to do things right. The computer part is platform-agnostic, but uses Windows programs for illustration, which is what 98% of home users plus an increasing large percentage of pros use anyway. The enclosed CD-ROM has sample short films, trial software, plus a few fun items.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: Absolutely great book....While i dont agree with the author on everything this is an absolutely inspiring book....Buy the DVD too
Rating:
Summary: This book has it all
Review: This book covers all aspects of filmmaking, from choosing a camera to negotiating a deal to sell your DVDs to a distributor. And all the stuff in between, like casting, lighting and shooting, editing on your computer and even doing radio interviews and getting interns to help you and getting tax-free status. I've looked into several other digital filmmaking books, but this one covers all the stuff the others miss. And it's funny and insightful. He covers all the important technical stuff, but explains it simply, but also covers deeper stuff, like WHY you should make movies and how to even book your own tour and do a Q&A session afterwards and how to sell your films online and out of the trunk of your car and how to get magazines to write about you. The guy who wrote this book also made a really cool movie called "D.I.Y. or DIE" that I saw when it showed here in DC in a bar. I went and heard him speak. It was really cool. It shows all kinds of artists doing what they do and talking about why they do it. This book almost seems like a companion piece. In fact, the subtitle of DIY or DIE is "How to Survive as an Independent Artist" but as amazing as it was, it should actually probably be called "WHY to survive as an independent artist". Whereas "$30 Film School" is more about "how" to make it as an indie filmmaker, written by a guy who is really making it. I've seen him in action. He rocks. The tone is great. It's less like a book and more like a friend talking to you. I wish more "how to" books were this down to earth but also this complete. Thanks!
Rating: 
Summary: Fairly light weighted and not useful at all book, Avoid.
Review: What was wrong was that is is not even half way to a film school in a day or week. Does not talk of many things, of storying telling, how to direct, working with actors, how cameras work, what was good about other movies, etc.
Does however provide a few chapters on DVD authoring and editing video and audio on a computer, one decent section on lighting and 2-3 page son rules of 180 degree, etc which you can get online or from the product documentation. This is very light coverage from a book that claims to be film school replacement. Barely touches the basics of film making. Does go on about the author's own experience about touring, etc which is pretty cursory and useless, there is titbits of information, more of tips in interviews with other people and about how the author did his book negotiation. Another point to note is that the Director's movie seems to be a set of interviews instead of being a feature film.
Avoid, there are bound to be other good books, consider among others:
Consider Making a winning short, Story sense, Digital Filmmaking 101, Film Directing Shot by Shot, Setting Up Your Shots, etc It is a total waste of time. Should ask for my $21 back..
Rating:
Summary: no lofty BS, just good common sense
Review: After experiencing a few hard-to-read film books in the past, I was reluctant to try again. But, $30 Film School caught my eye (was actually shopping for something else). Having read it from cover-to-cover now, I have to say I am THOROUGHLY IMPRESSED. Michael Dean has such a strong grasp of film and DV, as well as modern computer software and plug-ins that I was in love with this book from the beginning. He gives sound advice on everything from pre-production budgeting to setting up a shot to post-prod overdubs and even marketing the finished product. He even explains ways to protect your PC from hackers and viruses! All this info in a $30 book! This is a must have. Buy it NOW. Unless it's 3am, then wait til the morning. But, get it.
Rating:
Summary: A truly great book!
Review: This book is packed with practical information. If you are motivated to create a no-budget film, this will guide you through the steps.
Working with this book, someone with a good story and some talent, drive and passion can create something of potential value.
There are some terrific resources in the accompanying CD and in the listing of additional books, web sites, music and films.
Michael Dean is honest and refreshing in his outlook. Buy this book; you'll be glad you did!
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