What You Don't Learn in Film School: A Complete Guide to (Independent) Filmmaking

I'm always looking to read and learn more about the craft. This book is a must-read for people starting out and wanting to learn more about how the industry really works. This isn't a book meant for casual filmmakers looking to upload a 3 minute slo-mo reel on Youtube - this is meant for those looking to fund and create their own full-length movies in today's film industry.It's a smooth, quick read and offers useful information. It leans largely on the behind the scenes of financing and things to look out for. If you're looking for something more focused on directing actors or the writing aspects of filmmaking, I would recommend Mamet's "On Directing Film" or Lumet's "Making Movies." However, if you're looking for some real talk on how the industry works and how to get your pictures financed and made, this is the best I've read.

I have been working in production on films and in TV for 15 years. I've seen A LOT, I've learned A LOT, but there was more useful info in this book than I anticipated. Not just in the nuts and bolts of making a film but in the pre and post-production as well as distribution. I can't recommend this book enough to every single aspiring indie filmmaker out there. You could go and make your film without reading it, and learn all these lessons the hard way, OR you could read this book. Shane has been at this for over 30 years. Why not learn from the mistakes he made along the way and save yourself the trouble (and your investors' money) by learning from them.

Great book for filmmakers. I am venturing into screenwriting myself, but this gave me some inside intel on what goes on behind the scenes of today's filmmaking.I have been on many movie sets shooting BTS for cable TV and entertainment networks, but not on the actual movie crew so many things he mentioned I could relate to as well as my experience shooting short videos, corporate and entertainment.This is great for up-and-coming filmmakers.Shane tells it like it is and does not sugarcoat reality.Learn from his mistakes as well as his many moments of success.

Absolutely loved the read. I actually ended up listening to the audiobook while reading along. The book was written in a way that simplified some of the more complex topics which I truly appreciate. The book gave a realistic look to a lot of things that a filmmaker might not have on their radar but should, and greatly appreciate it.

4.5 stars“What You Don’t Learn in Film School” by Shane Stanley is a wonderful resource, both for those who are joining the filmmakers’ world and for anyone else who is going to be either a worker or a boss. Does that sound like most of us? Yes. The practical information and advice is beneficial not only to those who have gone through cinema school but to anyone entering the workforce. I was intrigued by the opportunity to read this book both because I grew up in LA and attended USC—so I interacted with multiple people bitten by the Hollywood bug—and a member of my extended family just graduated from Cinema School.Yes, some of the concepts are proprietary to making movies, but the overall message…be prepared, treat everyone with respect, make connections, and be prepared (yes, that’s a deliberate repetition)…is applicable to any profession.The author is generous about sharing his experiences and hard-won knowledge and isn’t afraid to relate his mistakes or his gems. The writing style is comfortable and easily absorbed, and the advice about things like getting decent insurance, writing certain details into contracts, being wary of deals that seem too good to be true, and making sure your product is properly protected are all invaluable. I think that most professional schools cram their students’ heads full of information but frequently forget to cover practical elements of life. This book does a great job of covering some of that lack.A copy of this title was provided to me for review

This book is easy to read, with stories and strategies that are explained in an entertaining manner. Read it with a highlighter, because it has information that you will want to reference at each stage of the filmmaking process.

While taking a class with Shane Stanley via Stage32.com, we learned of his book on filmmaking. So glad I got this book. It's a great help!

Each chapter has useful advice about what you need in your budget, where to spend extra on locations, how to thrift on postproduction, and the common clauses to look out for in distribution contracts. I took a lot of notes as I read.I'd say the book is geared toward producers working in micro-budget to low-budget range ($50k to $1M). Shane's perspective is grounded in experience, numbers-driven, and he isn't afraid to pour cold water on unrealistic ambitions. He isn't selling a "get rich quick" or "entry to Sundance" pipedream. He's sharing how the industry works, how it will try to take advantage of you, and how you can operate within those constraints to (hopefully) make a living, or at the very least make a movie you're proud of.