The Reel Truth: Everything You Didn't Know You Need to Know About Making an Independent Film

by Reed Martin

Overview

Did you know that most of the biggest indie filmmakers, screenwriters, and producers working today each made the same avoidable mistakes early on in their careers?

The Reel Truth details the pitfalls, snares, and roadblocks that aspiring filmmakers encounter. Reed Martin interviewed more than one hundred luminaries from the independent film world to discuss the near misses that almost derailed their first and second films and identify the close shaves that could have cut their careers short. Other books may tell you the best way to make your independent film or online short, but no other book describes so candidly how to spot and avoid such issues and obstacles as equipment problems, shooting-day snafus, postproduction myths, theatrical distribution deal breakers, and dozens of other commonly made missteps, including the top fifty mistakes every filmmaker makes.

From personal experience and his years as a freelance reporter covering independent film for USA Today and Filmmaker magazine, Martin uncovers the truth about the risks and potential rewards that go with chasing celluloid glory. Whether you're writing a screenplay, looking for financing, about to start shooting, or thinking about investing time and money (or someone else's money) in an independent film, The Reel Truth is a must-read.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780571211036
Publisher:	Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication date:	04/28/2009
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	544
Sales rank:	671,751
Product dimensions:	8.26(w) x 5.48(h) x 1.37(d)

About the Author

Reed Martin has taught film finance and marketing at a variety of institutions, including NYU's Stern School of Business and Columbia Business School, and is the former director of marketing at Cary Woods's Independent Pictures.

Editorial Reviews

This is an amazingly well-researched and accurate chronicle of independent filmmaking. I learned so much—things I wish I'd known when I was in the middle of it all myself. It is hard sometimes to make filmmaking advice flow with dramatic interest, but Reed Martin keeps it clear, eloquent, and fresh. I would definitely suggest The Reel Truth to aspiring filmmakers—it would make a great textbook—and I am personally looking forward to the next volume, especially now.” —Tom DiCillo, director of Living in Oblivion, Johnny Suede, Delirious, and When You're Strange

“The Reel Truth is definitely a book every filmmaker should read. Reed Martin does a great job of covering everything from first-timer mistakes to new paths in distribution and gets some really great advice from leading producers, distributors, writers—pretty much everyone.” —Brian Newman, CEO, Tribeca Film Institute

“Reed Martin has written a production guide filled with indispensible information and enlightening anecdotes. The novice filmmaker can learn something by opening to any page in The Reel Truth.” —Mark Pogachefsky, President MPRM Communications

“[Martin] interviewed Danny Boyle, Christine Vachon, Doug Liman, Barbara Kopple, Alexander Payne, Darren Aronofsky, and Werner Herzog along with dozens of indie film execs. He says he asked everyone two questions: ‘What's the worst advice you ever got?' and ‘What do you wish somebody had told you that would have saved you a lot of trouble?' . . . Martin peppers The Reel Truth's tales of woe with inspirational stories about tough-minded auteurs who refuse to give up.'” —Hugh Hart, The San Francisco Chronicle

“The road to making an indie film can seem more like the stations of the cross at times. Reed Martin's The Reel Truth is the gospel telling of a journey that many martyrs have taken before. Bring it with you for inspiration, and as a reminder that any movie that gets made is a miracle.” —Matt Tyrnauer, director/producer, Valentino: The Last Emperor

“Reed Martin's The Reel Truth is not only a terrific guide for aspiring filmmakers and a modern textbook for film school students everywhere. The advice and anecdotes in the chapters covering production, marketing, distribution, and online exhibition are useful for working filmmakers as well. For anyone hoping to make a successful independent film—especially in today's hyper-competitive environment—The Reel Truth is required reading.” —Miguel Arteta, director, Youth in Revolt, and The Good Girl

“A brilliant how-to manual for tackling and mastering the industry.” —Anthony Bregman, producer of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

“This book is indispensable.” —Tom Bernard, Copresident, Sony Pictures Classics

“The path to the premiere and beyond of any feature film is a minefield. With The Reel Truth, Reed Martin has given new filmmakers the battalion of bomb detectors necessary for survival.” —Ted Hope, producer of The Ice Storm

“Reed Martin has created a smart, engaging read that is also one of the most comprehensive and cutting-edge looks at the changing face of independent-film production and distribution today. This is the one book I would call essential for anyone who really wants to make a career out of filmmaking.” —Drew McWeeny, aka Moriarty, Ain't It Cool News

“Packed with practical advice and anecdotes from successful indie icons, Reed has written a guidebook essential for any aspiring filmmaker.” —Tom Ortenberg, President of Theatrical Films, The Weinstein Company

“The most up-to-date guide readers could want…No one who embarks on a feature of his or her own after reading The Reel Truth can say he or she has not been warned—and, more important, not been prepared.” —Jim Hemphill, American Cinematographer Magazine

“A must-have manual of knowledge and entertainment for beginning and experienced filmmakers...To not have this information is like scuba diving by yourself, skydiving without packing your own parachute...why risk it?” —Chris Eyre, director of Smoke Signals

“What's great about The Reel Truth isn't simply its usefulness, but its thoroughness...Martin's invaluable book will help you navigate the treacherous terrain of the modern independent film scene.” —Chris Bolton Powells.com

“An invaluable resource for those striking out on their own…From production, post-production, marketing and distribution, the book also covers such areas as dealing with music licensing, investors, script theft and securing legal help. However, it is Martin's personal interviews with leading directors, writers, producers and studio executives that offers "The Reel Truth" an extra layer of validity and insight to make it a true "insider's guide.” —Jorge Carreon, Examiner.com (Los Angeles)

“Making a movie, be it a five-minute short or a two-hour feature, takes more than vision. In his witty and addictively readable book The Reel Truth, author Reed Martin provides 500 pages of how-to advice for would-be De Palmas—everything from financing to casting, scoring to marketing—and backs it up with cautionary anecdotes and tips from famous directors.” —Rene Rodriguez, The Miami Herald

“Reed Martin interviews some of the brightest minds in independent cinema, including Danny Boyle ("Slumdog Millionaire") and Christopher Nolan ("Memento"), for riveting first-person accounts of their own success stories as well as the moments when their careers could have ended right then and there if they opted to give up …More importantly, Martin offers practical lessons for those still dedicated enough to want to make a film” —Christian Toto, Examiner.com (Denver)

From the Publisher

Reed Martin interviews some of the brightest minds in independent cinema, including Danny Boyle ("Slumdog Millionaire") and Christopher Nolan ("Memento"), for riveting first-person accounts of their own success stories as well as the moments when their careers could have ended right then and there if they opted to give up …More importantly, Martin offers practical lessons for those still dedicated enough to want to make a film

Examiner.com (Denver) Christian Toto

Making a movie, be it a five-minute short or a two-hour feature, takes more than vision. In his witty and addictively readable book The Reel Truth, author Reed Martin provides 500 pages of how-to advice for would-be De Palmas--everything from financing to casting, scoring to marketing--and backs it up with cautionary anecdotes and tips from famous directors.

The Miami Herald Rene Rodriguez

An invaluable resource for those striking out on their own…From production, post-production, marketing and distribution, the book also covers such areas as dealing with music licensing, investors, script theft and securing legal help. However, it is Martin's personal interviews with leading directors, writers, producers and studio executives that offers "The Reel Truth" an extra layer of validity and insight to make it a true "insider's guide.

Examiner.com (Los Angeles) Jorge Carreon

What's great about The Reel Truth isn't simply its usefulness, but its thoroughness...Martin's invaluable book will help you navigate the treacherous terrain of the modern independent film scene.

Chris Bolton Powells.com

A must-have manual of knowledge and entertainment for beginning and experienced filmmakers...To not have this information is like scuba diving by yourself, skydiving without packing your own parachute...why risk it?

director of Smoke Signals Chris Eyre

The most up-to-date guide readers could want…No one who embarks on a feature of his or her own after reading The Reel Truth can say he or she has not been warned--and, more important, not been prepared.

American Cinematographer Magazine Jim Hemphill

Packed with practical advice and anecdotes from successful indie icons, Reed has written a guidebook essential for any aspiring filmmaker.

Tom Ortenberg

Reed Martin has created a smart, engaging read that is also one of the most comprehensive and cutting-edge looks at the changing face of independent-film production and distribution today. This is the one book I would call essential for anyone who really wants to make a career out of filmmaking.

Drew McWeeny

The path to the premiere and beyond of any feature film is a minefield. With The Reel Truth, Reed Martin has given new filmmakers the battalion of bomb detectors necessary for survival.

producer of The Ice Storm Ted Hope

This book is indispensable.

Tom Bernard

A brilliant how-to manual for tackling and mastering the industry.

producer of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Anthony Bregman

Reed Martin's The Reel Truth is not only a terrific guide for aspiring filmmakers and a modern textbook for film school students everywhere. The advice and anecdotes in the chapters covering production, marketing, distribution, and online exhibition are useful for working filmmakers as well. For anyone hoping to make a successful independent film--especially in today's hyper-competitive environment--The Reel Truth is required reading.

Miguel Arteta

The road to making an indie film can seem more like the stations of the cross at times. Reed Martin's The Reel Truth is the gospel telling of a journey that many martyrs have taken before. Bring it with you for inspiration, and as a reminder that any movie that gets made is a miracle.

Matt Tyrnauer

[Martin] interviewed Danny Boyle, Christine Vachon, Doug Liman, Barbara Kopple, Alexander Payne, Darren Aronofsky, and Werner Herzog along with dozens of indie film execs. He says he asked everyone two questions: 'What's the worst advice you ever got?' and 'What do you wish somebody had told you that would have saved you a lot of trouble?' . . . Martin peppers The Reel Truth's tales of woe with inspirational stories about tough-minded auteurs who refuse to give up.'

The San Francisco Chronicle Hugh Hart

Reed Martin has written a production guide filled with indispensible information and enlightening anecdotes. The novice filmmaker can learn something by opening to any page in The Reel Truth.

President MPRM Communications Mark Pogachefsky

The Reel Truth is definitely a book every filmmaker should read. Reed Martin does a great job of covering everything from first-timer mistakes to new paths in distribution and gets some really great advice from leading producers, distributors, writers--pretty much everyone.

Brian Newman

This is an amazingly well-researched and accurate chronicle of independent filmmaking. I learned so much--things I wish I'd known when I was in the middle of it all myself. It is hard sometimes to make filmmaking advice flow with dramatic interest, but Reed Martin keeps it clear, eloquent, and fresh. I would definitely suggest The Reel Truth to aspiring filmmakers--it would make a great textbook--and I am personally looking forward to the next volume, especially now.

Tom DiCillo

Film marketer and business professor Martin has created a step-by-step guide on how to make an indie film and includes stories from and about such industry insiders as producer Christine Vachon and directors Doug Liman and Kimberly Peirce. Martin covers everything from raising money to distribution, while including invaluable details such as the average cost of a soundtrack song (about $15,000, but $500,000 if it's the Rolling Stones) or the price of renting a New York City theater for a one-week run ($10,000-$50,000). Using current examples like the trial and tribulations of Sideways director Alexander Payne or the financing behind Swingers, Martin dispenses practical advice culled from real-life indie hits and misses that is both inspiring and cautionary. For certain technical information (sample budget breakdowns and representation contracts), Martin includes a solid appendix in what is ultimately an informative and very entertaining account of the indie film for would-be independent filmmakers and producers. (Jan.)

Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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