Extreme DV at Used-Car Prices

Book excerpt: For years, award-winning independent filmmaker Rick Schmidt has been teaching aspiring directors how to make “no-budget” films, both in workshops and in his classic guide Feature Filmmaking at Used-Car Prices. Now Schmidt shows them how it is easier—and cheaper—than ever to make an innovative, high quality work, thanks to digital video. Filled with the latest information on equipment and software, ideas for experimenting with new moviemaking techniques, and advice based on Schmidt’s own experiences, Extreme DV at Used-Car Prices offers a step-by-step guided tour through the making of a feature-length movie using the newest and ever-changing DV technology. Schmidt shows how to: • Take a DV project from idea to script (written or improvised), contract to pre-production and into the shoot • Work with—and rally—the cast and crew • Select affordable digital equipment to make a cutting-edge DV feature • Edit a DV movie electronically with Final Cut Pro • Promote one’s work guerilla-style • Live (and budget) creatively as a moviemaker • Look ahead to what’s on the DV horizon Instructive and inspiring, this one-of-a-kind book is essential reading for filmmakers with lots of ideas but little money.