$30 Film School [With DVD]

$30 Film School is an absolute jewel of a book to have in your possession , as is covers every aspect of filmmaking from conception to distribution in a writing style that that is as straight forward and plebian as it is witty and concise. Michael Dean takes an approach to instructional writing that makes it seem like you are in the same room with him having a conversation. I read it straight through the first day I bought it out of sheer enjoyment and I have been referring to it on various projects ever since. Every question I have had about filmmaking has been answered and utilized in this book. I have used Dean's sage advice to attain fiscal sponsorship, to totally master my camera, to find cheap and professional ways around lighting and sound. As I have read all of the reviews posted here, let me just state, if anyone has an issue spending 30$ on this book, they are not reading it the way it was intended. There are no quick fixes in like and you could read a whole library of books and never achieve what you want to. You have to get off your behind and do it. That is what Michael Dean is saying. If your intent is to become Michael Bey, I guess you should save your money. This is not a how to guide to becoming a Hollywood Mogul. If your intent is to figure out a feasible way to do what you love, to make art, this book will show you the way. I own at least twenty different books on the subject. THIS ONE IS THE BEST!

Not only did I find the writer entertaining, but he really did share information on how to write, direct, produce, shoot, edit, distribute, tour with, and sell your own no-budget DIGITAL movie! I am one of those film makers that fall into the the no budget catagory, but I love making movies! This book really taught me a lot about independent film business and came just crammed full of real letters, contracts, etc. that can be adapted and actually used, rather than a lame discription of such! I actually bought this book having only flipped through it for 30 seconds and was so impressed with what was in it I bought it straight away, read in in two weeks and am now putting what I learned into use! I HIGHLY recommend this book!!!

I was extremely excited when I found this book. It was fun, witty, and full of useful information for the independent film maker. I have been "dabbling" in other peoples projects, doing various kinds of work, for many years. However, I always had a few ideas, and things I wanted to do. In short, I wanted to make my art. When I found this book($30 Dollar Film School) it enabled me to take my ideas, and create the art that was inside me. I am really glad Micheal Dean has pioneered a way for everyone to tell their story. This book also goes above and beyond the call of duty, for unlike other books about film making, it doesn't just tell you how to use a camera, editing, lighting, and the technical stuff of getting "the shot." It also explains how to raise money for your art, how to do "post-post-production" by getting your art in the world. It was wonderful! Thank You Micheal Dean

The bottom line belongs at the top:If you're at all interested in making your own films, BUY THIS BOOK. Absorb its lessons. Share the lessons with your crew.Without exaggeration, this is simply one of the best-written and helpful books I have ever read, period.I first heard of $30 FILM SCHOOL when the guys on an online video-editing forum enthusiastically recommended it to a newbie looking for help. She said: "I want to make films, but I don't know where to start!" Everyone said, "Start with $30 FILM SCHOOL." Mind you, some of those guys are seasoned pros. They could recommend any book. $30 FILM SCHOOL got the nod.Though a journeyman filmmaker myself, not a beginner, I was intrigued enough to order the book. Of the many thousands of dollars I've spent on filmmaking equipment and education, $30 FILM SCHOOL has given me the best return on investment. It's worth fifty times what you pay for it. Believe me.Someone once said, "There can be no real democratization of the filmmaking process until the equipment is affordable by everyone." Well, with the digital video / computer revolution and the advent of affordable gear, the time has come. Now anyone can make a film---even you.But there's still a steep learning curve. There's a big difference between making a film, and making a GREAT film. $30 FILM SCHOOL walks you through the process of making great films. The book is an encouraging, "You-can-do-it!" celebration of the indie filmmaker lifestyle as much as it is a thorough manual of the nuts and bolts of putting a film together. Don't discount this. You need a strong spirit and a steady smile as much as you need to know which lens to use on a particular shot. More than that, you need to be as willing to help others, as to BE helped. Dean gives more than he gets, and encourages you to do the same thing. That way, everyone grows and some damned good films start getting produced.Dean leaves no stone unturned. Everything from writing the script, getting funding, producing, working with people and equipment, directing, choosing the right computer and software on which to edit sound and video, the editing process itself, and burning your film to DVD is covered.But probably the most important part, in my opinion, is the section on promoting and distributing your film. Too many artists concentrate only on the art and not on the marketing. They end up with a nice film no one has ever heard of, much less seen. Dean is a tireless marketer who knows what he's talking about from years of actually doing it the hard way---first as a musician, and now as a filmmaker / author. There's also a very helpful and complete companion CD included with the book.I bought $30 FILM SCHOOL with Dean's DVD "D.I.Y. Or Die: How To Survive As An Independent Artist." Though you don't need the DVD to benefit from the wealth of info in the book, I suggest you buy both. Each is a learning experience in its own right but together, they add up to much more than just a book and DVD. It's more

Michael Dean is a truly inspiring individual. After seeing his excellent documentary on how and why you should do art full-time (instead of having your job take over your creative life), "DIY OR DIE: BURN THIS DVD", I immediately set out to order this book. I am thoroughly pleased.Michael Dean is a 40-year old punk who has the passion of a 14-year old just discovering great music and great film. He is wise and funny and knows a great deal about his craft. $30 Film School covers every aspect of indie filmmaking on digital video: what cameras to use, why 3-chip is better than 1-chip, how to get authentic film look, why miniDV is so much more cost-effective (and better-looking) than 8mm or 16mm film, angles for shots, lighting, software editing techniques (cuts, dissolves, whips, etc), DVD authoring, guerilla marketing and promotion, how to get people to act in your movie for cheap or free, what's wrong with Hollywood today and why many "indie" films are big-budget-big-star and not truly indie, how to tour with your movie and show it everywhere, plus several interviews with indie filmmakers, including Joshua Leonard of The Blair Witch Project. The interviews alone are worth the price of the book. There is not one part of this book that bores me or makes me skim a little. It is that awesome. Michael really does cover EVERYTHING. And I do mean everything.In the last half of the book, Michael gets heavily into why art is so perfect and needed in society... art changes people. Art affects people. Music and great stories in films are what we should appreciate and worship. We should not be paying an insane amount of attention to some stupid entertainment magazine with some stuck-up celebrity interview. That is where the DIY ethic comes in... there are a great deal of indie films out there which have the power to touch your heart and make you think in the ways movies like The Fast And The Furious and Triple X never will. Michael stresses the importance of doing art for yourself, because you love it. He calls it "working for the Universe", and it makes perfect sense to anyone passionate enough about their art.Michael is all about keeping it real... keeping the art of filmmaking, storytelling, music-making.... REAL. The first reviewer of this book mentioned he writes the book like he is talking to a good friend... and that's exactly how it comes across. Michael is a very intelligent, down-to-earth and hard-working person, and it shows clearly in this book, and his documentary "DIY OR DIE".The CD-ROM that accompanies the book is great, too.. there's a funny goof-around DV movie called "I Left My Pants In San Diego" which explains a lot of techniques used in indie filmmaking and directing, and shows you examples of editing... it's really cool and funny. Michael and his crew totally come across as your good friends in this short film. The CD-ROM also has tons of extra stuff.. like sample contracts and demo software so you can get started right away, in making y