Art knows no budget, and independent filmmakers know this like no other when lawyers aren't on the payroll. "The Independent Film Producer's Survival Guide: A Business and Legal Sourcebook" is a guide for those independent filmmakers who want to navigate the rough legal mine field of filmmaking so that they may focus on what's truly important - making their film the best it can be. With countless bits of advice from entertainment lawyers, it serves as a complete and comprehensive resource, and a top pick that makes "The Independent Film Producer's Survival Guide" something to be at the hands of any filmmaker who has to watch their money.

This book was required reading for FSU's Film Producing class. Usually the film books we are recommended to read are redundant and old news. This book is far from that. It's educational to the point of strategy and for sure a morality boost. This is a Yes You Can book. It gives you a plan A and then the Z for when all the other letters won't work.

This is an excellent book for someone who is just starting in the business to someone who has actively been working as a Producer.
I learned so much from this book. I recommend this book 100%.
Leza

I purchased this expecting some advice on legal issues, but this book is so much more. It talks you through the whole process of producing a film from start to finish, including valuable information on finding investors, attaching stars, behind the scene terminology, production advice, sample legal forms and what do with your film once you've made a cut. All of the advice is indispensable. This is a must have for any independent film producer, especially those new to the industry. It should be taught as a textbook in film schools. The most helpful book on producing I've stumbled upon yet.

I purchased this expecting some advice on legal issues, but this book is so much more. It talks you through the whole process of producing a film from start to finish, including valuable information on finding investors, attaching stars, behind the scene terminology, production advice, sample legal forms and what do with your film once you've made a cut. All of the advice is indispensable. This is a must have for any independent film producer, especially those new to the industry. It should be taught as a textbook in film schools. The most helpful book on producing I've stumbled upon yet.

I highly recommend this book. As a first time amateur independent film producer, with about 30 film books resting on my shelf, I believe I was constantly thumbing through this one the most during preproduction. This book contains so much useful information and helpful insights, it's almost like having an industry consultant right there with you. Unlike other books, there weren't a lot of sections where they seemed to rush on to the next chapter without exploring the present topic in some depth.

If it's not already, this book will soon become the industry standard for substantive knowledge of the film business for independent filmmakers. Deal points, standard contract provisions, the often technical and confusing jargon, and the historical context for many industry practices are all covered here in comprehensive yet concise fashion. Topics of interest that are covered in depth include standard talent and producer agreements, developing a screen play, financing, and digital distribution. The book was a tremendous asset to me when I had to help an independent filmmaker comply with complicated federal securities laws in order to raise $200,000. Highly recommended.

jeffbrownlegal@gmail.com

It was a book with that gave you a good background on how film production works from a legal perspective. So you should read it if that is your concern. The authors are lawyers, not producers.

This book is a serious but very readable approach to educating filmmakers on the maze of legal hoops that must be jumped through in order to create a film. Indispensable resource to have.

The book gave me moe information than needed. It talks about the complications in distrubution deals, the unions, music, digaital cameras, and a few other things upcoming producers need to know about the industry before signing into or onto something. I highly recommend it to producers, writers, and directiors. It remind us that the film world is like a whole other business on another planet.

If you wanna get into any sort of video field, or wanna know how the industry functions, and what are the legal and business issues you have to deal with...

...this book is a MUST Have.

not only did I get this for myself but I got two other friends their own personal copies (got tired of them borrowing mine). It will keep you out of legal trouble in the film industry and give you insight as to how things are structured.

not only did I get this for myself but I got two other friends their own personal copies (got tired of them borrowing mine). It will keep you out of legal trouble in the film industry and give you insight as to how things are structured.

This is more than a great book--it's a public service. The
authors share insights from their decades of legal and
entertainment production experience, in essence offering
thousands of dollars of free legal advice to aspiring
independent producers. Beyond offering a roadmap of business-
planning steps, the book includes templates of numerous legal
forms that an independent producer might need. Meanwhile, in
clear and artful prose, they alternate between You're-Not-God
straight talk and You-Can-Do-It encouragement. Between the
lines, there seems to be a genuine interest in helping
important stories and quality independent work to see the
light of day. I've read other books on the business side of
entertainment that were helpful, but this stands out as the
best of the lot.

This is more than a great book--it's a public service. The
authors share insights from their decades of legal and
entertainment production experience, in essence offering
thousands of dollars of free legal advice to aspiring
independent producers. Beyond offering a roadmap of business-
planning steps, the book includes templates of numerous legal
forms that an independent producer might need. Meanwhile, in
clear and artful prose, they alternate between You're-Not-God
straight talk and You-Can-Do-It encouragement. Between the
lines, there seems to be a genuine interest in helping
important stories and quality independent work to see the
light of day. I've read other books on the business side of
entertainment that were helpful, but this stands out as the
best of the lot.

If you are or want to become an independent film producer, this book will give you all of the business/legal knowledge of filmmaking you need. Even though I have not finished the book yet, I've already found this book to be extremely valuable. Because I am planning to produce a new film next year, I even called up Mr. Tulchin directly for legal advice. He was very friendly and took the time to give me great advices and was very knowledgeable in not just U.S. based entertainment law but also international entertainment law as well. Read this book and you will find it worth more than what you paid for!!!

One thing that isn't taught that much at film schools is how many contracts are generated and how much time you spend negotiating deals. Our first film is still in post-production (April 2003) and we already have a filing cabinet filled with contracts and paperwork. I wish this book had been available when we started production. The chapter on delivery requirements alone is worth every penny. In it you'll find out what a distributor will want along with your film. Don't forget the still photographer on the set and behind the scenes! Great and easy read, too.

The Independent Film Producer's Survival Guide is the most practical and concrete text on the Hollywood deal-making process that I have read to date. Its succinct presentation of the independent film business-legal process is welcome. Many of the real-world examples of independent producers struggling to secure the deal are thought provoking and encouraging. I believe that any independent film producer who reads and applies the information contained in the Survival Guide can only win. Film schools should seriously consider adding this publication to their list of reference texts.

This book not only lays down everything you need to make and sell an independent film but even provides you with the forms and contracts to do it with! It is a very easy read and the experience these authors have in unsurpassed in the film industry so listen to what they have to say!

Im am a independent movie producer and this is probaly the best book I have ever read. It explains the bare nuts and bolts of independent producing of movies. It has all of the forms and stuff you need to produce. This is defiantly the best book of it's class

My wife and her friend just finished a screenplay. We're all amateurs especially on the business side. This book is chock full of information and is like a roadmap. What a a godsend! Thanks.

Having already produced one feature film -- raising [money]via private investors and a pre-sale to a studio -- I had traveled the thorny path of indepedent production and wanted to see how my experiences compared with this "how-to" guide and what, if anything, I could learn. I ended up very impressed. The writers obviously have worked in many financing worlds and give you quick lessons -- and warnings -- on how to keep mounting. The read is quick-witted, savvy, encouraging. A rare example of a genuine resource book. For first time producers or battle-tested veterans.

This is an excellent resource for anyone in the film business. It provides comprehensive information about every aspect of the film business. Invaluable guidance for film professionals.