The Reel Truth: Everything You Didn't Know You Need to Know About Making an Independent Film Paperback – April 28, 2009

Seriously...Reed Martin has created such a detailed road map to this industry that doing anything without the knowledge in this book is nothing more than a fool's errand. Many careers have been destroyed for lack of the knowledge presented here. The chapters on Actors, Financing, Business Plans, Post and Distribution were absolutely caustic against the flimsy skin of my dreams of independent film stardom; however, it was a wise lesson that I and others need to learn.And that is the whole point.The wisdom in this book is laid out in plain English. There are no short, muscular sentences denoting a Blah for Dummies approach. The style is fluid and varied which keeps both the novice and adept engaged.The wisdom in this book is also supported by the myriad of industry professionals offering their stories. Name-droppers should be green with envy reading the quotes and anecdotes compiled here.The pacing and organization is intelligent and the tone is conversational, yet the work retains a searchable quality which makes it play like a reference book. I feel like, at any stage of the journey, I can pull it out and find information pertinent to a particular situation and that's what I want for a book that professes to tell me everything I didn't know I needed to know.There were some flaws in the book. Some chapters felt too bleak; after reading, I felt that the finish line of "the film" was a million miles away. It's not a problem because I am totally sold out about this business, but others will get discouraged and berate the book for being honest. However, I commend Mr. Martin for this approach as it is difficult to temper honesty with concern for peoples feelings. If one thing has to suffer, let it be ego. Also, some of the technological assertions are dated in the book. A new edition should take care of that since technology has progressed to the point that some of the assertions about camera and workflow are now moot.Sandra Carey said, "Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living; the other helps you make a life," and never was this more evident than in this book. The Reel Truth is just that... the truth. I'll put it like this, you're going to pay for this wisdom one way or another... might as well get it here which is infinitely easier than the other way. Period. Get it now.

THE REEL TRUTH by Reed Martin is the best book about the reality of Independent Movie Production available today. Reading this book is a "cold-shower reality check" for wannabe filmmakers who have fantasies of getting discovered by Hollywood and getting offers to make their next movie by a major studio. It just doesn't happen that way!Reed presents case studies of now-famous directors such as Chris Nolan (FOLLOWING, MEMENTO, BATMAN BEGINS and THE DARK KNIGHT), Jim Sheridan (MY LEFT FOOT, ATONEMENT OF THE FATHER, IN AMERICA) and Darren Aronofsky (PI, REQUIEM FOR A DREAM, THE FOUNTAIN, THE WRESTLER) to reveal what the real path to Hollywood success is like. The lesson being, don't drop friends and family on the belief that Hollywood Fame is just one phone call away. It just doesn't happen that way!The value of this book is that Reed is grounded in the day-to-day business of independent filmmaking, especially the experiences of first time director-producers. He has chapters on the nuts-and-bolts of developing a business plan, plus ways of getting money and seeking good legal advice. He discusses production problems to avoid, the importance of casting name actors for foreign market sales, the pitfalls of using music on your soundtrack and how to avoid clearance rights problems that will kill any possible distribution deal.New filmmakers have to realize that marketing and distribution is just as important (if not more so) than the production of the movie. Independent producers who try to pitch their projects to major Hollywood Studios quickly learn that they can no longer bring an unproduced package to the executives that include a great script, director, A-list actors, complete production financing, plus print and advertising cost (P&A), but now also a guaranteed audience before the studio will give them a distribution slot and access to the theater screens.The competition for theatrical distribution slots is so intense that only projects with a pre-established market that guarantees a solid first weekend opening will be considered for multiple screen theatrical release. The chapters on the role of a producers' rep for getting an indie movie into film festivals, smart marketing and what theatrical marketing costs in real dollars, should be required reading for any first-or-second time director.But there is light at the end of the tunnel with the arrival of the new digital age for movie making. The cost of production has collapsed with the arrival of low cost high quality digital production and editing system by Sony, Apple, Avid and Adobe. An equipment cost of less than $2,500 would allow many directors to produce their first feature length HD movie.One consequence of this is that there is now a glut on indie HD movies on the market, which has caused the acquisition price to drop and the number of acquisitions at festivals to collapse to 1-to-3 indie films out of 3,500 getting deals at Sundance or other festivals in 2009.The collapse of the DVD sales market has also destroyed studio interest in picking up indie product. Blockbusters reported to be closing about 950 stores in 2010 because the stores cannot compete with REDBOX $1 film rentals in supermarkets. The studios can no longer count on their profits coming from DVD sales.But there is another brighter light at the end of the tunnel for indie producers, and that is digital distribution. The Holy Grail is the projected 50 million HDTV 50+" LED/LCD screens in the homes throughout the USA within the next few years, connected to the internet. Today you can go to a Best Buy store and see these new HDTVs and Blu-Ray HD Players which allow video streaming from the internet digital distribution networks of videos from NetFlix, YouTube, and other Indie Distribution Networks.A better indie producer's marketing/distribution business plan for the future would focus on spending advertising dollars to get the people in their homes to watch the movies on the HDTV than getting them into the theaters to see the movies. Some indie distributors are already talking about the 50 million HDTV opening night release at $40 per family bringing in a revenue of $2 billion in one night. The Holy Grail? I think so. Believe it. It will happen in our lifetime!So if you want a good read about "everything you didn't know you need to know about making an independent film", get THE REEL TRUTH by Reed Martin!K.C. CraigRichard Michaels StefanikKCRS Productions Company

I am currently at the end of post-production on an indie feature and I can say emphatically this is the best book out there for anyone thinking of making an independent film. What Reed Martin has done goes far beyond any of the other books out there... and believe me, I read them all before I went into production. He covers everything, and I mean everything: any challenge a production can encounter, save perhaps issues specific to a particular production, are succinctly, intelligently and honestly laid out in the book... honestly perhaps being the key, as the book is very upfront about the difficulties that are in store. If you are considering making a movie, read this book: while no film is trouble free, there are definitely issues we would have avoided had I read this first. And, if nothing else, it would have helped me mentally prepare even better.While this is a terrific book for people thinking of or about to make an independent film, I also recommend the book for people who have been through the process. It has been edifying to read that heroes of mine experienced the same things we went through on our movie. And so much information is contained in the book that even people well versed in the business will learn some things. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and can't imagine anyone in the film business not benefiting from it and enjoying it.

The book will regularly warn you that you'll fail at becoming a film making genius a la Spielberg or Nolan, and that it's not worth losing friends, spouses, and all of your money over. That's a crucial lesson to learn and perhaps what the book does best. Unfortunately, it interweaves that message through the entire tome, leaving you wondering if the author might just be a bit bitter that his own film career didn't soar.This makes it hard to appreciate the chapter-by-chapter breakdown of the film making process and if you're looking for something similar that won't talk down to you as if you're entering the worst mistake of your life, try Sidney Lumet's brilliant book instead. That one might feel a bit more dated, but let's face it - Reel Truth isn't exactly 2020 either.

What a w wonderful read! This book is the BIBLE for independent film makers. Would surely recommend this book to anyone aspiring to get into the world of film. Reed Martin's writing is great and the content is peppered with numerous examples to illustrate his thoughts. Surely a must buy!

This book is essential for anyone working on a screenplay - not just for those who want to make an independent film. Stories and screenplays get stolen all the time and chapter 6 provides invaluable advice on how to prevent this from happening. Reed Martin solicited the advice of copyright and intellectual property lawyers on what steps are essential to protect one's creative work. Because the law is stacked against the independent screenwriter and IP lawsuits rarely brought or won against the studios, it's best to read this book and follow the steps that Reed outlines. It will prevent a huge amount of heartache, not to mention lost time, effort and earnings.

Fantastic read, very insightful.