Synopses & Reviews
Where does a young filmmaker begin? With the right short-film concept and this book!
The right short can be a filmmaker's "business card" in Hollywood. Here's the authoritative handbook by one of Hollywood's most connected insiders that offers a step-by-step guide through the entire creative process of shooting a short film, as well as expert advice from established filmmakers, and a final game plan for promoting and selling the film once it's in the can. Topics covered include:
- Concept
- Budget
- Finding equipment
- Assembling a crew
- Casting
- Arranging for location
- Locating festivals and ancillary markets
- Working with the unions
- Film vs. digital video
Plus:
- A list of film schools
- Oscar-winning shorts and nominees
- A selection of short-film festivals
- Actual short-film budgets
- Sample scripts and shooting schedules
- A helpful short-film glossary
Review
"[A]n excellent resource for all serious film students; anyone interested in starting to make films will find it invaluable." Library Journal
Synopsis
The author of The Hollywood Way and Hollywood 101 shows aspiring filmmakers how to make a short film for under 50K and launch their careers.
About the Author
Frederick Levy is the founder of Management 101, where he guides the careers of actors, writers, and directors. An active filmmaker, he was the associate producer of the film Frailty starring Matthew McConaughey, and he has worked on many other films, including Reindeer Games and Mr. Wrong. Levy has appeared on Entertainment Tonight, MTV, CNN and Fox News. In addition, Mr. Levy teaches film classes at USC and UCLA Extension based on his bestselling book, Hollywood 101.
Table of Contents
Short Films 101 Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. Getting Started: Why Make a Short Film?
Episode 1 · What Is a Short Film? · What Makes a Great Short Film? · Making a Short Film · The Calling Card · Getting Started · The Case for (and Against) Film School · The Purpose of This Book
2. Concept: Telling a Great Story
George Lucas in Love · Format · Genre · What's the Big Idea? · Amazing Stories
3. Budget: How to Spend the Money
Discount Filmmaking · From Zero to Fifty Grand · The Beg and Barter System · Choose Where to Spend Your Money · Choose Where Not to Spend Your Money · Don't Forget Post-Production · Show Me the Money · Short Budgets Revealed
4. Equipment: The Tools You'll Need
How Real Movies Are Made · Well Equipped · Visual Formats · Film Versus Video · Bargain-Basement Prices · The Least You Need · Hello, Dolly · Lighting · Sound Off · Cut · Compromise
5. Crew: The Pople Who Will Help You Achieve Your Vision
Shoot to Kill · The Power of One · Friends · Looking Beyond the Director's Chair · Ten Things I Love About Crew · Master and Commander · Best Crew Money Can Buy · Party of Two, Table for One · Creative Crewing
6. Cast: Finding Actors to Bring Your Script to Life
Before They Were Stars · Cast Me If You Can · The Star · Star Search · Working with SAG Actors · Will Act for Food · Rehearsal of Fortune · Understudy · A Star Is Born · How to Win an Actor in Ten Days
7. Action: The Set Comes to Life Once the Camera Rolls
Shoot for the Moon · Scheduling for Dollars · Bargaining for Locations · Anatomy of a Scene · Attention to Detail · Setting Up a Shooting Schedule · The Long and the Short of It
8. Post-Production: Everything After Wrap!
Post Haste · Editing · Visual Effects · Sound · Music · Transfer · Pick-Ups · The Moral: Plan for Post
9. Marketing: Coming Soon to a Theater Near You
If at First You Don't Succeed... · Marketing · Word of Mouth · Be Ready When Opportunity Knocks · Critical Recognition · Coming Soon
10. Distribution: Getting Your Film to the Right People
Release · Ready for Distribution · Self-Distribution · Internet · Film Festivals · Ancillary Markets · Profitability · George Lucas in Luck
11. Landing the Deal: Let the Hard Work Pay Off
Something in Common · Proceed with Caution
Conclusion: Famous Last Words
One Last Piece of Advice · The Meeting
Appendices
Film Schools · Oscar-Winning Shorts · Short Film Festivals · Software · Additional Short Film Scripts · Budgets
Glossary
Index