Rating: 
Summary: Hysterical and Informative
Review: Couldn't put the book down. It was funny from start to finish and I learned a lot about the business too.
Rating:
Summary: A great read-even if you don't want to make movies!
Review: For those not interested in film, this is a good purchase for the humor quality if nothing else. But hey! You're supposed to be taking notes youngins, this is an informative book, not glossed-over half-hearted duty work. I do mean informative - for those wanting a sense of the industry and film-making processes without textbooks/one-on-one instruction/film school, here is a great overview and inspiration at the same time, covering every detail from film formats to exploiting Sears' return policy.
The only hazard I found was the author's gender bias; female readers be prepared to have "your girlfriend" referred to often, and to skim over advice about not using direct lighting on girls' faces, etc.
Yet also be prepared for a treat in the how-to publishing world: an author who has genuine knowledge to share, who doesn't refrain from enumerating the specifics (or so I think...), and who doesn't seem like the type who would need to be writing for money.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a Can't-Make-Money-In-Business-So-Will-Write-Book book
Review: For those not interested in film, this is a good purchase for the humor quality if nothing else. But hey! You're supposed to be taking notes youngins, this is an informative book, not glossed-over half-hearted duty work. I do mean informative - for those wanting a sense of the industry and film-making processes without textbooks/one-on-one instruction/film school, here is a great overview and inspiration at the same time, covering every detail from film formats to exploiting Sears' return policy.
The only hazard I found was the author's gender bias; female readers be prepared to have "your girlfriend" referred to often, and to skim over advice about not using direct lighting on girls' faces, etc.
Yet also be prepared for a treat in the how-to publishing world: an author who has genuine knowledge to share, who doesn't refrain from enumerating the specifics (or so I think...), and who doesn't seem like the type who would need to be writing for money.
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious and Informative
Review: Full of tasty nuggets of information that any self respecting indie filmmaker ought to have if they want to make it in this rough and tumble industry. This book tackles many of the lesser known obstacles faced by aspiring filmmakers. These obstacles are often overlooked by most of the other filmmaking books that I've read. If you like to learn, and you like to laugh, you'll like to pick up this book, even if, or especially if you're already in jail.
Rating:
Summary: Informative and Funny as Hell
Review: Not only was this book very informative on the subject of making a film at ulra low costs, but the book was written in a very humorious tone, making it very enjoyable to read. I didn't feel like I was droning over a mindless 'For Dummies manual. The author even gives recipes on food to feed your crew (at a low cost to you), and what baseball cap you should wear. Need to learn and laugh at the same time? Buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: Informative and Funny as Hell
Review: Not only was this book very informative on the subject of making a film at ulra low costs, but the book was written in a very humorious tone, making it very enjoyable to read. I didn't feel like I was droning over a mindless 'For Dummies manual. The author even gives recipes on food to feed your crew (at a low cost to you), and what baseball cap you should wear. Need to learn and laugh at the same time? Buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: A great read-even if you don't want to make movies!
Review: This book was wonderful! I purchased it at the same time as "What They Don't Teach You at Film School" by Camille Landau and Tiare White. I'd really recommend that you get both of them. This one has more information, and was more fun to read, but the other gives you a more serious approach to making a movie.If you only have money for one or the other, however, go with this one! There's some really great information in here. If you judge this book by its cover, then you'll probably make the mistake of thinking that it's for those kids next door who want to make a prequel to Clerks. It might work for them, but it also loads of valuable stuff that will make you sound a lot more experienced most people you know who think that they know what making movies is all about. Check out Bret's credentials on imdb.com, too.
Rating:
Summary: A great read-even if you don't want to make movies!
Review: This book was wonderful! I purchased it at the same time as "What They Don't Teach You at Film School" by Camille Landau and Tiare White. I'd really recommend that you get both of them. This one has more information, and was more fun to read, but the other gives you a more serious approach to making a movie. If you only have money for one or the other, however, go with this one! There's some really great information in here. If you judge this book by its cover, then you'll probably make the mistake of thinking that it's for those kids next door who want to make a prequel to Clerks. It might work for them, but it also loads of valuable stuff that will make you sound a lot more experienced most people you know who think that they know what making movies is all about. Check out Bret's credentials on imdb.com, too.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Funny Book but not always practical!
Review: This book WILL teach you how to make movies but I would suggest that it would be hard to follow the advice in this book without going over your $10,000!! Bret offers advice on how to get people to work for free by offering film credits. But why not just do it all yourself aka. 1 man band Robert Rodriguez? Also the rear blurb reads "Rent a camera for 2 weeks and pay for only 2 days..." but inside all you'll find is a way of scamming your rental house by renting for a week but picking it up the friday before (hoping they wont be open and wont charge you for the weekend) and then wanting to drop it off on the following Friday hoping to be told to bring it in monday. And then timing it so Monday is a holiday and you get it until Tuesday!! Thats 11 days and you'll sill have to pay for 5 if it works!! So although a fun book to read a lot of it needs to be taken with a pinch of salt!! Do yourself a favour and read Robert Rodriguez's "Rebel Without a Crew" before you read any other film making book. If you still need advice and inspiration then get this book too!
Rating:
Summary: Darn it, that's some good readin.
Review: Tons of helpful advice delivered in a uniquely informative/hilarious style that I have never ever encountered before. What else can I say, somebody give this man $10,000 dollars, he's absolutely delightful. I wish all writers could shun formulaic grammatical conventions the way Bret Stern does, he turns this tired genre on its buttocks, and in doing so, etches out his own place in the hall of fame for underappreciated no budget filmmakers.
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