by Maureen Ryan
First published 2011
Maureen Ryan draws on twenty years of production experience to create a comprehensive manual for independent filmmakers. Ryan, who co-produced the Academy Award winning documentary Man on Wire, structures her guidance chronologically from initial development through final distribution. The book covers script breakdown, budgeting strategies, preproduction planning, on-set management, and post-production workflows. Ryan includes detailed checklists spanning twelve weeks before cameras roll through the completion of principal photography. Her approach focuses specifically on low-budget independent productions, addressing the unique challenges facing emerging and professional producers working outside the studio system. The manual serves as a practical reference designed for production meetings, offering concrete solutions rather than theoretical concepts. Ryan transforms complex filmmaking processes into manageable steps, providing readers with actionable knowledge gained from real-world experience in independent cinema.
Genres: reference, non-fiction, how-to
Vibes: comprehensive, informative, practical
Tropes: actionable-advice, real-world-experience
424 pages · ebook · Michael Wiese Productions