Preparing For Takeoff: Preproduction for the Independent Filmmaker

by Arthur Vincie

Overview

You have the camera, time, money (or credit card), so why don't you just start shooting? Preparing for Takeoff will give you the tools you need to fully prepare for your independent film.

This book features:

• Vital preproduction tips on scheduling, previsualization, script analysis, location scouting, budgeting, hiring vendors, and clearing permits
• A detailed analysis of the role both producers and directors play in the preproduction process
• Crucial advice on how to prepare for postproduction and distribution while still in the early stages of making a film
• Lessons from the field in how to avoid mid-shoot changes, unhappy actors, fostering a resentful crew, wasted days and dwindling finances
• An accompanying website that includes sample script analyses, storyboards, beat sheets, editable budget forms, and more

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415661683
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	02/11/2013
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	7.20(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Arthur Vincie has over fifteen years of film and television production experience as a line producer, producer, and director. Vincie has line produced or production managed numerous independent films and is very active in the New York City independent filmmaking community. He has done production work for major television networks, including NBC, ABC, and BBC America. He founded and currently runs Chaotic Sequence Inc., a company that produces shorts and features. He recently wrote and directed the feature film Found in Time , which won the Best Sci-Fi Feature at the 2012 Shriekfest Sci-Fi/Horror film festival.

Table of Contents

Part I: Early Days and the Big Picture Chapter 1: The Film Life Cycle Chapter 2: Preparing Your Business Chapter 3: Fixing the Script Chapter 4: Working with Other People Chapter 5: Assembling Your Initial Team Chapter 6: Marketing Part II: The Director's Path Chapter 7: Script Analysis Chapter 8: Gathering Materials Chapter 9: Prep for Casting Part III: The Producer's Path Chapter 10: The Breakdown Chapter 11: The Budget Chapter 12: Thinking Strategically Chapter 13: Vendors, Equipment, Negotiations Chapter 14: Dealing with Guilds and Unions Part IV: Joint Preparation Chapter 15: Casting Chapter 16: Location Scouting Chapter 17: Hiring Your Crew Chapter 18: Rehearsals Chapter 19: Tech Scouting Chapter 20: Previsulization Part V: The Shoot and After Chapter 21: Routines for Success in Production Chapter 22: Preparing for Post Chapter 23: Preparing for Distribution Chapter 24: Beyond Basic Planning Appendices Appendix A: Further Reading/Tools/Resources Appendix B: Helpful Forms

Editorial Reviews

"I recommend Preparing for Takeoff to anyone making an independent film. While there are other books on the subject, what'sets this one apart is how well it explains the balance between the artistic process the writer/director goes through and the practical decisions the producer has to consider, especially when working low budget. Vincie shows how the two affect each other and offers creative solutions for dealing with limited resources without compromising the filmmaker's artistic vision."

• Dorothy Rompalske, Film Department, Brooklyn College, CUNY

"Everyone on the filmmaking team, from director to cinematographer, to location scout to casting director, can benefit from what Preparing for Takeoff covers. While allowing for lots of creativity, it brings concrete planning to everyone's position. Too many filmmaking books are simply stories, fun to read, but not all that helpful. I love Arthur Vincie's Preparing for Takeoff."

• Howard Libov, Writer/Director, Favorite Son and Midnight Edition, Professor, Film Department, Fairleigh Dickinson University

Overall I am impressed by the amount of information Arthur shares and believe the book will be a wonderful resource for many interested in the art and craft of filmmaking.

• Sal Petrosino, Director of Operations, Film, Video and Animation Department, School of Visual Arts

From the Publisher