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STOP!...and Read this Before Making Your First Film: A real world guide to making and selling your first feature film.
Paperback
Business GeneralFilmmakingScreenwriting
Publisher Price: $24.95
ISBN13: 9781764583305
Publisher: Pillango Publishing
Published: May 4 2026
Pages: 132
Weight: 0.35
Height: 0.28 Width: 5.50 Depth: 8.50
Language: English
First-Time Movie Producers, Take Note!
Whether you're a first-time filmmaker or a passionate storyteller finally ready to take the leap, STOP!...and Read this Before Making Your First Film is your no-nonsense, behind-the-scenes guide to navigating the wild world of indie filmmaking.
Written in a friendly, conversational tone, this book doesn't sugar-coat the process. Instead, it shares real, practical advice drawn from firsthand experience-mistakes made, lessons learned, and insights gained from wearing many hats in the industry, from producer to sales agent to marketer.
In this expanded second edition, the journey continues beyond simply making the film. The book now explores what happens after production-when the film enters the marketplace and the real business side begins.
In this expanded second edition, the journey continues beyond simply making the film. The book now explores what happens after production-when the film enters the marketplace and the real business side begins.
Drawing on further real-world experience after the film was sold, it dives into the realities of the sales process, contracts, deliverables, and the many unexpected details that appear once a distributor becomes involved.
Inside, you'll discover:
- What it really takes to produce a feature film on a tight budget
- How to work with (and avoid being taken advantage of by) sales agents and distributors
- What to expect from the film market, revenue models, and those elusive Minimum Guarantees
- Why planning your sales and distribution strategy before you shoot can make or break your film
- What happens after your film sells - including contracts, deliverables, and the practical realities of closing the deal
This isn't a dry textbook or a glossy how-to from someone who hasn't been in the trenches. It's a candid, encouraging resource packed with practical tips, honest warnings, and real-world lessons to help you avoid the most common pitfalls of first-time filmmaking.
If you're serious about taking your film from script to screen - and actually giving it a chance to sell - this book will show you what to expect.
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