Alt.culture.guide™, Keith Gordon, 2004
One of the most important tools available to an a artist.


Book Description
We?re entering a new era. Mini-DV filmmaking is the new folk, the new punk rock, the new medium where anyone can tell his story. "$30 Film School" is an alternative to spending four years and a hundred thousand dollars to learn the trade. It is influenced by punk rock?s Do-It-Yourself spirit of just learning the basics and then jumping up on a stage and making a point, and by the American work ethic back when it was pure, before it became all about corporations crushing the little guy. Throw in the hacker idea that information wants to be free (or at least very cheap) and you?ve got our deal. Inside you?ll find many interviews from insightful independent filmmakers and artists, as well as a host of practical advice, knowledge, and resources.


From the Publisher
Make your film a reality with a DV camera and a computer. With this book, you will learn how to not only make a film, but also how to distribute, tour with, promote, and sell your film. CD-ROM is full of movies, lessons, interviews, trailers, and other tools.


About the Author
Michael W. Dean is the author of "Starving in the Company of Beautiful Women" (Kittyfeet Press, 2000, ISBN: 0-9705392-0-7) and the writer/director/producer of the documentary "D.I.Y or DIE: How to Survive as an Independent Artist," which was favorably reviewed in Film Threat, and appeared on the front page of the San Francisco Examiner. It was a feature in the 2002 Silver Lake Film Festival, 2002 Lost Film at Sundance and the 2002 BareBones Festival. Michael is a self-taught filmmaker with a background in photography, music, and writing. He was the lead singer for BOMB, a seminal grunge band on the Warner Bros. label, and has written atricles for many commercial internet sites.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

  Key Features Make your film a reality with a DV camera and a computer With little money and resources, learn how to shoot, edit, and make copies of your movie Find out how to raise money, promote your art everywhere and get distribution About the Author: Michael W. Dean is the author of "Starving in the Company of Beautiful Women" (Kittyfeet Press, 2000, ISBN: 0-9705392-0-7) and the writer/director/producer of the documentary "D.I.Y or DIE: How to Survive as an Independent Artist," which was favorably reviewed in Film Threat, and appeared on the front page of the San Francisco Examiner. It was a feature in the 2002 Silver Lake Film Festival, 2002 Lost Film at Sundance and the 2002 BareBones Festival. Michael is a self-taught filmmaker with a background in photography, music, and writing.  He was the lead singer for BOMB, a seminal grunge band on the Warner Bros. label, and has written articles for many commercial internet sites.

SYNOPSIS

We￯﾿ﾽre entering a new era. Mini-DV filmmaking is the new folk music, the new punk rock, the new medium where anyone can tell their story. $30 Film School is an alternative to spending four years and a hundred-thousand dollars to learn the trade. It is influenced by punk rock's Do-it-Yourself spirit of just learning the basics and then jumping up on a stage and making a point; and by the American work ethic back when it was pure, before it became all about corporations crushing the little guy. Throw in the hacker idea that information wants to be free (or at least very cheap) and you have this essence of this book. Also included are many interviews from insightful independent filmmakers and artists, as well as a host of practical advice, knowledge and resources.

FROM THE CRITICS

Michael Pastore - ePublishers Weekly

Now the filmmaker, Michael Dean, has written a visionary guide to the art and tech of making movies, and the book is as unique and memorable as (his) film. The entire book - from page one through the last chapter of interviews with filmmakers - is imbued with Dean's Do-It-Yourself philosophy. He's funny, he's sincere, he's committed to promoting the radical notion of people making art, and not merely consuming it. For everyone who dares to create works with passion and originality, the integrity of Dean's vision - perfectly captured in this book - will light the way

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Michael Dean is a Hollywood-hating, just-let-me-make-my-damn-movie kind of guy. For the nine-zillion hungry souls who fall into the same category, 30-Dollar Film School is the perfect book. The ultimate guide for the ambitious, artistic, alterna and penniless. — Jerry Stahl

Lloyd Kaufman

Read this excellent book and learn how to produce profitable independent films whilst sticking your finger in the eyes of the devil-worshiping media conglomerates who are sucking us dry of our spiritual and economic capital. — President of Troma Entertainment, and creator of the Toxic Avenger

Joshua Leonard