The Power Filmmaking Kit: Make Your Professional Movie on a Next-to-Nothing Budget

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review




Who the heck is this book written for?, September 18, 2009
By Flick Fan
To give this less than 5 stars would be to do this very detailed book an injustice. At this point in time if you could buy just one book on filmmaking this is the one to buy. However, this is a critique rather than a review--and I do want to point out what irks me about this book. But lets start with what is really good about it.

1) The book is fascinating--and even someone who has read many other books will find it engaging and enlightening.

2) The included movie that the author made for $2,000 is superb. (This is a little depressing as it is so good why isn't it better known, and what does that imply about the films we will make.)

3) The book is superbly detailed in every area. For example I've purchased books on directing actors that were not as enlightening as the directing actors section of this book.

4) There is genius in the depth it goes to. For example a veritable checklist about parking, etc, when your actors invade the neighborhood of the shoot.

What I didn't like was the fact that although the author made his film for so little, he does not share as much detail about that accomplishment as I would have liked. It is not like How to Make a Low-Budget Digital Movie which focuses solely on a low-budget film, and although that is not entirely a negative it does get us to where my critique of the book lies. Who the heck is this book for? It is written as if the reader might be a no budge movie maker with a dream, but is slightly more likely to have a spare fortune about to finance their film? And at the same time isn't quite focused on the big budget filmmaker such as From Reel to Deal: Everything You Need to Create a Successful Independent Film. What I would say is that it is a better and more American version of The Guerilla Film Makers Movie Blueprint.

But don't get me wrong. This is still a brilliant book. The author, for example, does not fall into the trap so many others have, of recommending cameras, equipment, etc. Instead he talks about the equipment in general and so doesn't not date his material as badly as others have. Even my Canon XH A1 1.67MP 3CCD High-Definition Camcorder with 20x Optical Zoom has a new model Canon XH-A1S 3CCD HDV High Definition Professional Camcorder with 20x HD Video Zoom Lens III (and I recommend 2008 Learn the (Canon XH A1, XH-A1) XHA1 TUTORIAL TEACHING PROGRAMMED-INSTRUCTION DVD for both. Though before too long solid state cameras, i.e. no tapes needed at pure 1920 x 1080 resolution will be the only show to consider.)

In conclusion, my problem is who the author addressed as his reader. I do not as a reader have a problem with the wealth of information here. And until another book comes along this may well be the best book out there.



FANTASTIC BOOK! A Great Resource guide., August 22, 2008
By FilmFantastic2008 (Hollywood, CA)
Another fantastic book from Focal Press. This book by Jason J. Tomaric is a fantastic resource guide, covering all aspects of filmmaking from start to finish. Well written, and a DVD loaded with extras! Don't make an independent movie without it! Highly recommended!



Very good step by step information on filmmaking, June 20, 2008
By A. K. Pedersen (Doetinchem, Netherlands)
Newer thought that I would be considering working on a feature film, but reading and viewing Jason great material just gave me the feeling that I also could do it.



A terrific primer, May 12, 2008
By Mark Sawicki (Los Angeles)
Books like this promise a lot but I have to say that Jason has done an excellent job of condensing the complex task of movie making into concise and accurate descriptions of each discipline. I've experienced quite a bit in the film business over 30 years and time and again as I read this book I kept saying "Oh yes, that's true." It is also a great reference for those noodly details one needs from time to time like proper script format. There is no need to hunt through your library for the answer, script format is right here on page 27. The other good thing about Jason's breakdown is the responsibility associated with film making regarding money,permissions, safety and insurance. I cringe when I think back on how we made 16mm indie films back in the 70s. In some cases we were lucky to be alive afterward much less sued! The Power Filmmaking Kit is terrific primer for those who wish to make a movie in the classic tradition for very little money.

Mark Sawicki
Motion Picture Effects Cameraman/Actor and Author.



Lots of information, not much to say, April 20, 2008
By bp (USA)
Author Jason Tomaric has written, directed and distributed several minor independent features which is a laudable feat. Yet, Tomaric has surprisingly little to say about the filmmaking process. Sure, there's a lot of information here, but nothing you couldn't get anywhere else. Even the skimpy material on his own productions generally amounts to one thought--"Need something for free? Just ask!" What makes similar books like the Complete Guide to Low-Budget filmmaking (Josh Becker) or Make Your Own Damn Movie! (Lloyd Kaufman) interesting is the authors' willingness to share their personal views and stories of their triumphs and failures. Other books like The DV Rebel's Guide (Stu Maschwitz) and Digital Filmmaking (Mike Figgis) are authored by highly-regarded professionals who describe how low-budget technology potentially transforms mainstream filmmaking processes. Tomaric, on the other hand, opts for an encyclopedic "wide as an ocean but shallow as a water basin" approach. The result is a paint-by-numbers text that reads less like a book and more like a reasonably executed career move.