Persistence of Vision: An Impractical Guide to Producing a Feature Film for Under $30,000

There's enough practical information here that you could probably go out and do it - the only meaningful test for a how-to book. But the pages are small, the type is large, the filler is plentiful, and the cover price is exorbitant. Your call.

I've read this book and have found it quite useful - I'm using it as the starting point for my own forays in this area - and the best thing I can say about it is the spirit it engenders. There are probley a million ways to make a film but you'll never make one unless you believe you can - and this book by showing you very effecive means goes along way into making you believe you can. It's quite comprehensive and goes into good detail though I wouldn't say it was the last word on film-making but then nor does it - and that's not the point because it gives you enough to not just get started with but to make an actual film with - and whatever more you want or need you're natural learning and further exploration will take you to. I reccomend it.