Village Books in Historic Fairhaven

Description

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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.

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.

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 an essential guide.

“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’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, Co-President, 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

"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

"Martin, an entertainment reporter and former marketing executive, is well aware of the complexities and contradictions inherent in the minefield of independent filmmaking, and his book provides the most-up-to-date guide readers could want. With its combination of detailed legal, aesthetic and technical advice, supplemented by quotes from indie film luminaries (including Alexander Payne, Danny Boyle and many others), The Reel Truth is similar in both scope and quality to Gregory Goodell's excellent Independent Feature Film Production. Yet even readers who already own Goodell's book will find plenty of new material in Martin's tome, which addresses financing and production in a world of distribution options both shrinking (the theatrical market) and expanding (the Internet and various sell-through services on Amazon, Movielink, etc.). They will also find perhaps the most brutally realistic of the many independent filmmaking manuals on the market—using dozens of examples of actual films and their abilities (or lack thereof) to recoup their investment, Martin provides sound, pragmatic advice for the many thousands of low-budget filmmakers who debut film will most likely not be the next Open Water or Blair Witch Project . . . He provides an abundance of useful tips for independent filmmakers, particularly when it comes to deciding where to be cheap and where to spend money. As Martin and his interviewees point out, there are a lot of areas where pinching pennies just does not make sense, and those areas are not always the things beginning filmmakers consider. The Reel Truth's greatest value lies in its attention to the less sexy aspects of movie production, things like security, parking, gas and insurance. Yet Martin also offers many nifty aesthetic tricks one can use to improve a film without spending extra cash, and his technical tips are remarkably specific; he addresses many issues most independent filmmakers learn about the hard way (like how to avoid time-code breaks when shooting on DV or hi-def), and he helpfully navigates the differences between various DV, HDV and hi-def cameras and formats. This specificity is the book's greatest strength, and the thing that distinguishes it from many others like it; Martin never speaks in generalities; instead, he offers precise monetary figure

About the Author

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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.

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

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“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

 

“[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)