Shooting to Kill

Christine Vachon has written an extremely accessible, entertaining book about what it means to be an independent film producer. She covers every step of the movie-making process, from finding a script to casting to hiring a crew, editing, etc. She covers the material with an engaging style and a sense of humor, and the facts are punctuated with examples and anecdotes from the movies she's produced. She's candid and unapologetic, and apparently some reviewers here have a problem with that. News flash - if you intend to make a career in the film industry, you better get used to people who yell, tight schedules, high expectations, plus low budgets if indies are your thing. If you spent any time on a film set, you would know that it is the producer's JOB to be tough, to get things in on time, and to run a tight ship. At the end of the day, it's the producer's butt that is on the line. It's just plain silly to give the book a low rating because Christine had the guts to be honest about the way things work on a film set and you wouldn't want to work with her. It's clear that some reviewers here need to get a thicker skin or find a different calling. Christine's films have been critical success stories despite their low budgets and tight time frames - she knows what she is doing and has taken the time to write a wonderful introduction to the world of filmmaking for beginners and those of us with some experience. I highly recommend this book.

Not only is this a thorough and informative piece of work, which would make it worth twice the price all by itself, it's also an inspiration and should be read by anyone, writer, actor, producer, director, anyone.... who's ever been told you have to compromise your vision in this business to get your movie made. There are several great stories in this book but the image that keeps resonating in my head is Christine Vachon, the High Priestess of Indie Film and Soverign Protector of Infant Directors, saying to the producer's rep: "We'll talk about it" and saying to everyone else after hanging up the phone, "We're not cutting anything, we're not cutting anything." Not only did I not know there were people out there doing such things, I had begun to wonder if it was even possible. This book can make you believe again. I didn't read it. I devoured it.

A great book for wannabe filmmakers, and established indies who need a blast of inspiration with more than a few words of warning. As an indie producer with seven features to my credit, Vachon's book will become well-thumbed and marked-up as I struggle through the wonderful hell of trying to get U.S. financing for one of my new films. The only down note for me was the fact that it is very, very close to a book that I'm writing about making low-budget films. (Called GUERILLA FILMMAKING: 101) Thanks Christine, for being so generous with your wisdom and so entertaining with your writing.

Definitely the most readable book on the subject of Independent Producing that I've ever read. Writing from her own experience makes this anecdotal book on producing much less dry than any other I've read. Not for those looking for a handbook, this offering gives you a real feel of what it's like to be an independent producer and insight on how she's made it happen. I love that her tone throughout is "this is how I did this" and not "this is how it must be done." Excellent starting point for anyone interested in independent film production.

This is easily the best book of its kind I have ever read. Ms. Vachon is astoundingly generous with her experiences. Some of it is laugh-out-loud hysterical and it is always highly readable. It should be required reading for anyone who has even ever thought of making a film.