Rating: 
Summary: LIGHTS CAMERA ACTION- I NOW WANT TO PRODUCE A MOVIE!
Review: I can't believe the effect this book has had upon me. I bought the book earlier this month and have read it from cover to cover. I went to a school to study how to make movies. I graduated very high in my class and when I went out in the business to get a job I realized that I really didn't know what I should have known about making movies. I can tell you that this book tells you all about it. Not only the nuts and bolts of what you will encounter but also the human side with the people you work with. For example, this book has a chapter on Ego and Relationships and I found out working that those ideas are so very important to understand if you are to succeed in the profession. And I will succeed! I am finding that when I want to know something that comes up during the day Ilook for something about it in this book and find that it is mentioned in some way giving me more insight into understanding the problem. If this book was around when I started school, I would have bought it and maybe not have gone...(just kidding!) But it would have been my constant companion throughout school and I would have told my teachers about it if they did not know....to use it in the class. It is a great book.....that tells it like it is. There are not many that do!
Thanks.
P.S. I dont know the author or anyone connected with this book so this review is mine and not prompted by anyone! I really mean what I say here.
Rating:
Summary: AMAZING!
Review: I must say ...I have been producing for film and television for almost twenty years now. My wife bought this book for my daughter after she saw it in the office of a well known film director and producer and I picked it up to read it. I was astounded.....the information in this book is accurate and sensational. Chock full of information that only a seasoned producer could know. Not only that, it is presented clearly with a pleasant style to the writing. Many of the ideas of producing I have used for years but I have never read anything that so clearly presents the techniques of producing so well. I agree with the author that a producer should be a little bit of a mother, a father, a teacher, a negotiator, a mediator, a creative visionary and a whole slew of other roles to succeed in the business.
One of the best things about this book is the clear explaination of what post production means to production and the various paths that post production can take compared to those of twenty years ago. This book knows its stuff. I would not be surprised if this didn't become the book on producing for any new student of film...some industry producers should read it too..it wouldn't hurt. It might make them better producers (and keep their budgets in line)
Rating: 
Summary: highly overrated, not very practical
Review: I purchased THE INDIE PRODUCERS HANDBOOK on line because I am a fanatic about anything having to do with the movies and especially American movies. (I live in Poland) I was interested in this particular book because the author is a professor at UCLA where one of our most famous Polish Film Directors (Jerzy Antczak) taught....so I thought this author would know something about what he talks about since he teaches at the great UCLA Film School. (By the way there are only four good film schools in California: USC, UCLA, Loyola Marymount and AFI)
I read this book from cover to cover and each page was chockful of producing tips.(This author gave Billy Bob Thornton his start in movies) I really didn't know what a producer does until I read this book. Was I surprised to find that they lead the creative charge on the movie. But that is only it in the minor sense as this book goes into great details of producing and how to get the best of the story on the screen for the audience. When I researched this professor I saw that he teaches in a summer producing program at UCLA and I am going to try to save up enough money to attend next summer just to meet him and speak with him further about producing. I am interested in directing too...so I hope he will be able to provide me with insight there too since he is also a director.
Thank you.
Rating:
Summary: MORE INFORMATION THAN I CAN IMAGINE!
Review: I purchased THE INDIE PRODUCERS HANDBOOK on line because I am a fanatic about anything having to do with the movies and especially American movies. (I live in Poland) I was interested in this particular book because the author is a professor at UCLA where one of our most famous Polish Film Directors (Jerzy Antczak) taught....so I thought this author would know something about what he talks about since he teaches at the great UCLA Film School. (By the way there are only four good film schools in California: USC, UCLA, Loyola Marymount and AFI)
I read this book from cover to cover and each page was chockful of producing tips.(This author gave Billy Bob Thornton his start in movies) I really didn't know what a producer does until I read this book. Was I surprised to find that they lead the creative charge on the movie. But that is only it in the minor sense as this book goes into great details of producing and how to get the best of the story on the screen for the audience. When I researched this professor I saw that he teaches in a summer producing program at UCLA and I am going to try to save up enough money to attend next summer just to meet him and speak with him further about producing. I am interested in directing too...so I hope he will be able to provide me with insight there too since he is also a director.
Thank you.
Rating:
Summary: SHOULD BE THE PRODUCERS BIBLE!!!!!!!!!!
Review: I read the review of the book in the DGA magazine and I was impressed so I bought it. The review states: "The how -to book has gone through many permutations on down to renegade guides on getting even or traveling dangerous nations, and whatnots with zero usefulness. But one guide that can supply the skinny with bedrock practicality issuing from field experience, success and overcoming agonies is THE INDIE PRODUCERS HANDBOOK CREATIVE PRODUCING FROM A - Z.
Not only does this tome get into the nuts and bolts of how movies - vocabularly, sequentiality, money alotment, union hires, music rights, etc.- it draws deeply on the authors personal experiences and those of director's Gilbert Cates, Herb Stein, Penelope Spherris, production designer David Haber, stunt coordinator Rawn Hutchinson and dozens more.
As Cates writes in the introduction, "Schreibman explains every nook in production, so that the book focuses on the creativity inherent in each crew member's responsibility. That indeed is the business of a great producer" Cates concludes. The quality of knowing it all and explaining it all succinctly makes the book transcendent, so that it isn't just for producers.
directors, unit production managers, assistant directors, production assistants,writers,cinematographers, best boys, dolly grips, sound mixers and production accountants as well as the general public can learn more about the big picture on any big or small picture. Schreibman's crannies include the Taft-Hartley Act, actors and nudity, meals on location, completion bonds, breaking down screenplays, wardrobe, publicity, main and end titles and human areas like "Relationships and Ego".
Clear and exact explanations and sound reasoning are laced throughout the book so that there is no confusion among any novice that when the gaffer's "juicers" are involved in the "martini shot" they're not misbehaving--they're electricians on hand for any day's final shot. Helpful charts and breakout boxes are loctaed throughout the book to illustrate concepts, define terms and highlight quotes.......it's personable and readable and insightful and it can work as a guide for new filmmakers and as a reinforcing balm for veterans who need a confidence adjustment around the trailer when the second AD throws open the door and says "Guess What". "
This review was written by a Mr. J. Roberts and after readying the book myself....he is absolutely right!!!!!!! I will hold on to this book for a long time. It is terrific!
Rating:
Summary: DIRECTORS GUILD OF AMERICA MAGAZINE- review - WOW!
Review: I read the review of the book in the DGA magazine and I was impressed so I bought it. The review states: "The how -to book has gone through many permutations on down to renegade guides on getting even or traveling dangerous nations, and whatnots with zero usefulness. But one guide that can supply the skinny with bedrock practicality issuing from field experience, success and overcoming agonies is THE INDIE PRODUCERS HANDBOOK CREATIVE PRODUCING FROM A - Z.
Not only does this tome get into the nuts and bolts of how movies - vocabularly, sequentiality, money alotment, union hires, music rights, etc.- it draws deeply on the authors personal experiences and those of director's Gilbert Cates, Herb Stein, Penelope Spherris, production designer David Haber, stunt coordinator Rawn Hutchinson and dozens more.
As Cates writes in the introduction, "Schreibman explains every nook in production, so that the book focuses on the creativity inherent in each crew member's responsibility. That indeed is the business of a great producer" Cates concludes. The quality of knowing it all and explaining it all succinctly makes the book transcendent, so that it isn't just for producers.
directors, unit production managers, assistant directors, production assistants,writers,cinematographers, best boys, dolly grips, sound mixers and production accountants as well as the general public can learn more about the big picture on any big or small picture. Schreibman's crannies include the Taft-Hartley Act, actors and nudity, meals on location, completion bonds, breaking down screenplays, wardrobe, publicity, main and end titles and human areas like "Relationships and Ego".
Clear and exact explanations and sound reasoning are laced throughout the book so that there is no confusion among any novice that when the gaffer's "juicers" are involved in the "martini shot" they're not misbehaving--they're electricians on hand for any day's final shot. Helpful charts and breakout boxes are loctaed throughout the book to illustrate concepts, define terms and highlight quotes.......it's personable and readable and insightful and it can work as a guide for new filmmakers and as a reinforcing balm for veterans who need a confidence adjustment around the trailer when the second AD throws open the door and says "Guess What". "
This review was written by a Mr. J. Roberts and after readying the book myself....he is absolutely right!!!!!!! I will hold on to this book for a long time. It is terrific!
Rating:
Summary: No-nonsense bullet-proof advice
Review: I recently finished producing my own independent film and found this book right at the beginning of my post-production period. I wish I had found it earlier. It is full of no-nonsense advice and information that is practically bullet-proof, and I ended up agreeing with about all of it. Schreibman, who apparently has a long history of producing films for t.v. and theatrical market, has paid his dues, done his homework, and knows another "feel-good" you-can-do-it book isn't necessary. He tells you like it is, doesn't pull any punches, and helps you avoid the most common mistakes, both legally and aesthetically. Writing and directing are generally the more "arty" positions in film production - the Producer is supposed to keep the ship moving forward and avoiding any fatal mistakes. This book directs you in the right direction. My film was a "micro-budget" film, and this book may ultimately be more useful for "larger" independent features, including ones with SAG deals, distribution in place, and budgets closer to 7 figures. While all the advice here applies to everyone making a movie, it's the attitude Myrl conveys that I really appreciated and believed in, more than some of his nuts-and-bolts info. The contract samples at the end were also very helpful when I went out and began looking for more help finding money to finish my film (which I eventually did). Now I'm dreaming of using the rest of the info here for my next film!
Rating:
Summary: No-nonsense bullet-proof advice
Review: I recently finished producing my own independent film and found this book right at the beginning of my post-production period. I wish I had found it earlier. It is full of no-nonsense advice and information that is practically bullet-proof, and I ended up agreeing with about all of it. Schreibman, who apparently has a long history of producing films for t.v. and theatrical market, has paid his dues, done his homework, and knows another "feel-good" you-can-do-it book isn't necessary. He tells you like it is, doesn't pull any punches, and helps you avoid the most common mistakes, both legally and aesthetically. Writing and directing are generally the more "arty" positions in film production - the Producer is supposed to keep the ship moving forward and avoiding any fatal mistakes. This book directs you in the right direction. My film was a "micro-budget" film, and this book may ultimately be more useful for "larger" independent features, including ones with SAG deals, distribution in place, and budgets closer to 7 figures. While all the advice here applies to everyone making a movie, it's the attitude Myrl conveys that I really appreciated and believed in, more than some of his nuts-and-bolts info. The contract samples at the end were also very helpful when I went out and began looking for more help finding money to finish my film (which I eventually did). Now I'm dreaming of using the rest of the info here for my next film!
Rating:
Summary: A BOFFO BOOK ON PRODUCING MOVIES!!!!!!!!
Review: I saw a copy of this book in my attorney's office and was attracted by the artwork on the front of the cover. I asked her why she had it and she said that she had a client (not me of course!) who was about to embark on independent filmmaking who gave her the copy to read. So I immediately bought one for myself since my next step in the profession was to be a producer and produce my own written material rather than write for other producers. Well, let me tell you...when I sat down to read this book I was astounded to see all the information that was there...and written so clearly since other books on producing have always been so dry and difficult to understand. There is a logic and structure and the theories of producing that Schreibman speaks to make absolute sense (although I am sure that many producers dont know about them!). When I researched this author I found that in his career he has produced the big and the small and for the stage and screens (of all types). Its no wonder that he teaches at UCLA. I wanted to know more about who he was, so I called UCLA and spoke to him. He was just terrific to talk to and he told me that the book was now translated into Chinese by a publishing house equal to Yale University Press. It goes without saying that as a writer I was indeed impressed with this credential.
This is indeed a book that I will leaf through many times and now that I am working on my new screenplay (soon to be seen in a theater near you in 2005) the information in this book will be in my mind as I write the story and its characters. If you dont have it now....get it...in English or in Chinese.....it couldn't hurt...only help.
Rating:
Summary: A BOFFO BOOK ON PRODUCING MOVIES!!!!!!!!
Review: I saw a copy of this book in my attorney's office and was attracted by the artwork on the front of the cover. I asked her why she had it and she said that she had a client (not me of course!) who was about to embark on independent filmmaking who gave her the copy to read. So I immediately bought one for myself since my next step in the profession was to be a producer and produce my own written material rather than write for other producers. Well, let me tell you...when I sat down to read this book I was astounded to see all the information that was there...and written so clearly since other books on producing have always been so dry and difficult to understand. There is a logic and structure and the theories of producing that Schreibman speaks to make absolute sense (although I am sure that many producers dont know about them!). When I researched this author I found that in his career he has produced the big and the small and for the stage and screens (of all types). Its no wonder that he teaches at UCLA. I wanted to know more about who he was, so I called UCLA and spoke to him. He was just terrific to talk to and he told me that the book was now translated into Chinese by a publishing house equal to Yale University Press. It goes without saying that as a writer I was indeed impressed with this credential.
This is indeed a book that I will leaf through many times and now that I am working on my new screenplay (soon to be seen in a theater near you in 2005) the information in this book will be in my mind as I write the story and its characters. If you dont have it now....get it...in English or in Chinese.....it couldn't hurt...only help.
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