1st Edition
Producing for Profit A Practical Guide to Making Independent and Studio Films
In Producing for Profit: A Practical Guide to Making Independent and Studio Films, Andrew Stevens provides real-world examples and his own proven techniques for success that can turn passion into profit. Far more than just theory, the book outlines practical applications that filmmakers of all levels can use to succeed in today’s ever-changing marketplace. Readers will learn how to develop screenplays that are commercial, and how to negotiate, finance, cast, produce, sell, distribute, and market a film that will make a profit. The book contains numerous examples from the author’s own films, including sample budgets, schedules, and a variety of industry-standard contracts. This is the definitive book that every producer must have!
Foreward by Roger Corman
Prologue
Chapter 1: What Is a Producer?
Chapter 2: Changes to the Independent Marketplace
Chapter 3: The Global Marketplace
Chapter 4: How to TAP into the Marketplace
Chapter 5: The Domestic Market, Festivals, and Market Value
Chapter 6: Identifying and Developing a Film Based on Trend and Analysis
Chapter 7: Now That I Have My Script, What Do I Do?
Chapter 8: Investors, Actors, Attorneys, Agents, Mangers, Business Managers
Chapter 9: Film Production Basics
Chapter 10: How to Manage Production Costs
Chapter 11: Mounting a Production
Chapter 12: Navigating the Actors Union
Chapter 13: Respect for the Dollar
Chapter 14: The Internet and New Media
Chapter 15: Marketing and Publicity
Chapter 16: Recap
Appendices
Biography
Andrew Stevens has mastered almost every aspect of the entertainment business, from creative filmmaker, writer, director, and producer, to corporate executive, leader in trade and union negotiations and collective bargaining, the creative development and physical production of motion pictures, as well as film sales, distribution, finance, publicity, and marketing. He has produced and financed over 175 motion pictures, including the hit comedy The Whole Nine Yards and the cult classic Boondock Saints. His films have generated over $1 billion in worldwide revenues. He is a former award-winning and Golden Globe-nominated actor and continues to be active in the motion picture business in addition to being an author, educator, motivational speaker, and industry consultant. He served for a decade on the board of directors of the International Film and Television Alliance, (formally the American Film Marketing Association) and also served as chairman of the Independent Producers Association (IPA).
"Andrew Stevens has mastered every facet of filmmaking and there isn’t a better teacher out there. This isn’t film school theory, it’s how to make a film in the real world and make a profit."
—Roger Corman, Oscar winner and legendary independent filmmaker
"A must-read for every independent filmmaker and film student who wants to understand the dynamics of the film industry and how to maneuver it while producing a film outside the studios. The insider experience of the author gives this guide extraordinary value."
—Adele Schmidt, Professorial Lecturer, Film and Media Arts Division, SOC, American University, Washington DC, and Director and Producer of the series on progressive rock, Romantic Warriors: A Progressive Music Saga
"In Hollywood Shuffle, learned the hard way how to make a movie and make a profit. Andrew Stevens not only streamlines the process but gives you a foolproof formula on how to get it done. This is the best money a filmmaker can spend and will pay for itself many times over."
—Robert Townsend, Award-winning Director
