The independent filmmaker's law and business guide financing, shooting, and distributing independent and digital films - Garon, Jon M. (Chicago Review Press, 2009)
Includes bibliographical references
Making a film company to make a movie. Preparing to make a film ; The film company ; Duties of the film company ; The property of the film company : the film concept ; Contracts ; Financing the film project ; Budgeting ; The investors' package -- Filming the movie : preproduction and production. Assembling the production team ; The key members of the independent film company ; Equipment and locations ; Shooting the film ; Special considerations for documentaries and films based on true life stories ; Music ; Postproduction ; Special considerations for the no-budget production -- Selling the movie: distribution and marketing. Theatrical distribution ; Nontheatrical commercial distribution ; Self-distribution and self promotion
Preparing independent or guerrilla filmmakers for the legal, financial, and organizational questions that can doom a project if unanswered, this guide demystifies issues such as developing a concept, founding a film company, obtaining financing, securing locations, casting, shooting, granting screen credits, distributing, exhibiting, and marketing a film. Updated to include digital marketing and distribution strategies through YouTube or webisodes, it also anticipates the problems generated by a blockbuster hit: sound tracks, merchandizing, and licensing. Six appendices provide sample contracts, copyright forms and circulars, Writer's Guild of America definitions for writing credits, and studio contact information