Feature Filmmaking at Used-Car Prices: Second Revised Edition

Congratulations Rick !I commend you on all your efforts, perseverance and your success, as I recently purchased your book. I am inspired by your strong will and determination to show people that Hopes & Dreams do come true! Reading the Preface gave me a great deal of insight into pursuing my 23 year dream of producing my own feature film.I researched several books (online & at the bookstores) before purchasing yours, I am very happy with my choice.You have written this book as if you are with the person and coaching them along, a very nice personal touch, Once again Rick, Congratulations on your success!Cheers: Steve in BC.

This book answered almost all my questions about movie making even though my personal interest is digital video. It is to date the best (quality content and inspirationally good writing ) how-to book I've read on the subject of making movies. Now that I've recommended it I want to point out two short parts you should skip. #1. Buy the book but skip the foreword. (Maybe read it a bit at a time but I had that "meanfull" [stuff] in grad school.) #2 Also skip the treatments he has in there as story samples for films. The story ideas as presented are awful. It is amazing that someone who can write such a terrific non-fiction self-help book would think they were good. As for the rest of the book--if you want to make movies this is the book to read.

Rick Schmidt's book "Feature Filmmaking at Used Car Prices" is a very important book for any new filmmaker to read. He explains how to make a movie without spending a fortune.Mandy Wildman and I formed Wild Heart Films in 1998. We produced our first feature, "In the Open" for only $7,000 using Mr. Schmidt's techniques. Although it was challenging, it was not impossible! Now we are in pre-production on a film with a higher budget.If you are considering producing a movie, it would be a good idea to read this book cover to cover and apply the data!

If you're a first-time filmmaker raising money for your own independent film, then this is an excellent book to read. No where does it say "steal the Film", "Promise to pay actors (but don't)." Ignore that first review. And you shouldn't reject the content this book because of a typo (the other review says the book is dishonorable because it spells James Cagney as "Cagny." I am just a regular guy, not an expert, and this book helps normal people, not people who are Hollywood stars already. Don't hold the book at a Hollywood standard because Independent filmmakers are trying to acheive that. The book does what it says it will do and more. Not only does it teach you how to write, produce, direct, film, edit, and produce a feature film for under $10,000, but there is also detailed instructions on how to make your own editing table to save money, how to buy a camera, and everything you'll need to direct/produce/shoot/edit/promote the film right down to the most intricate details. The only part I didn't like is the interview with Ray Carney, a film critic who is "artsy" and hates the films of Speilberg, Oliver Stone, etc. Skip over the interview if you buy the book. Other than that, this book teaches you how to save money, and in this world of extreme coupon usage, no money down offers, half off sales, etc., everyone is trying to save money. This book teaches you how to save money on a independent film. Buy it.

This book is great. I've read alot of feature film financing books out there, but nothing like this. To all my filmmaker friends: "Get this book." It gave me some confidence that filmmakers should get before shooting a ultra-low budget film. It also gave me alot of ideas to save tons of money from my budget.