Secrets of Breaking into the Film and TV Business: Tools and Tricks for Today's Directors, Writers, and Actors

by Dean Silvers

Overview

A highly successful, award-winning independent producer shares his funny, practical, and innovative approach to breaking into film or television, whether you want to direct, act, write, or produce

It doesn't take film school or expensive, high-tech equipment to make a brilliant—and marketable—movie today, says successful maverick producer Dean Silvers. For aspiring filmmakers, it's easier than ever to produce—and sell—their work. Secrets of Breaking into the Film and TV Business is packed with concrete, proven advice to help you follow in the footsteps of today's cinematic giants, many of whom broke out with runaway independent successes. Drawing from his own experience as a filmmaker, Silvers offers essential tips and a wealth of invaluable knowledge about every aspect of the moviemaking business, from Internet shorts to how to adapt, option, and collaborate on feature-length films (with shoestring budgets).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062280060
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	03/04/2014
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.31(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.58(d)

About the Author

Dean Silvers, JD, MS, PhD, is an award-winning director, producer, and writer of many successful feature films, television shows, short films, and commercials. He has produced numerous acclaimed films, including Flirting with Disaster and Spanking the Monkey, which have made millions of dollars worldwide and starred such actors as Ben Stiller, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Josh Brolin, and many others. He has worked with such distinguished directors as Academy Award nominees David O. Russell, Bob Balaban, and Academy Award winner Juan José Campanella. His films have played at the most prestigious festivals in the world, including Cannes and Sundance. He lives in New York City.

Table of Contents

1 Obstacles to Entering the Industry-and How to Get Around them

Everything You Thought You Knew

About the Film and Television Industry? … Fuhgeddaboudit! 1

2 Development: Finding an Idea and Bringing it to Fruition

Or, How I Gave Harvey Weinstein the Finger 17

3 The Script

Ladies and Gentlemen … Start Your Engines! 39

4 Development and Actors

This Is Your Role Too! 61

5 Fundraising

Show Me the Money! 73

6 Preproduction

The Best-Laid Plans 105

7 Production

Making Your Film 139

8 Postproduction

When Your Film Becomes Your Film 165

9 Packaging Your Film

Let the Games Begin! 189

10 Distributing and Marketing Your Film

Hey, Look at Me! 205

11 Your Next Film

The Career Maker (and How Failure Can Breed Success) 229

12 Conclusion

You Did It! 241

Acknowledgments 245

Editorial Reviews

The king of independent film.” — Casey Affleck, Academy Award® Nominated Actor (Good Will Hunting, Ocean’s Eleven)

“Dean brings all the resources needed.” — David O. Russell, Academy Award® Nominated Director (Flirting with Disaster, The Fighter, Silver Linings Playbook, Spanking the Monkey, Three Kings)

“Dean is relentless... He’s going to make your film—I can’t say that about most people.” — Michelle Satter (Sundance Institute Founding Director, Feature Film Program)

From the Publisher

Dean brings all the resources needed.

David O. Russell

The king of independent film.

Casey Affleck

Dean is relentless... He’s going to make your film—I can’t say that about most people.

Michelle Satter (Sundance Institute Founding Director

Dean is a great producer.

Harvey Weinstein