Secrets of Breaking into the Film and TV Business: Tools and Tricks for Today's Directors, Writers, and Actors Paperback – March 4, 2014

I have read over 150 books on film making and the best one on writing a screen play, in my humble opinion, is "Story" by Robert McKee and the best book on directing is "Directing Actors" by Judith Weston. The best book on giving you the up to date story on making your film from the trenches is "Secrets of Breaking into the Film & TV Business" by Dean Silvers. Dean doesn't hit you over the head with information. He gives you advice in a nonchalant way, like a longtime friend, but you better take it like a smack to the head because if you don't and you are in the trenches yourself, you will have those big bad regrets. I have been in the trenches with one full length feature and a few shorts. Last year one of our short films was accepted at the Cannes Film Festival, so I have seen the trenches enough to know a little bit about what to expect. Everything that I have gone through, was spot on in his book, but the most important thing for me was what I learned that I didn't know before I read the book, so even though I knew something, Dean gave me much more needed ammunition to conquer all the mountains between being one of the thousands of filmmakers who are not making it to being one of the few at the top. We have a finished script for what we hope to be our breakthrough full length feature film, as we make it, Dean's book will be referred to many times.

Of course, you can't really tell if a "how to" book is great until you see if the advice works for you. But Mr. Silvers lays out an approach that matches with modern film methods and marketing techniques. It made a great deal of sense to our screenwriting team. We are basing our plans going forward on the content of Secrets of Breaking into the Film & TV Business. The book is allowing us to lay out strategies and guiding us in developing our narrative. The book was a "page turner" too. The anecdotes made it an entertaining read that the reader can move through quickly. I really liked having it on my mobile Kindle reader so I could highlight the points to go back to for planning purposes and find them easily. Thanks, Dean.

Dean shares his experiences to guide the reader through the process of creating a film. In an industry with so many electric gates guarding the way, Dean advises his reader to make it happen and after reading I certainly believe this is possible. His upbeat and encouraging voice will empower any creative regardless of medium. While providing the nuts and bolts, the book entertains as well with quips and anecdotes. I plan to keep this book nearby as I set out on creating my first short and embarking on my film career.

Still reading this book but it's hard to put down. Dean inserts his humor which makes it an easy read. Everything in this book feels current and not outdated, so it doesn't feel like the info you're given is something that would work years ago.Some of the techniques he mentions, such as raising money for an independent film are things I have already done. But I guess there's only so much you can do when it comes to raising money.Great book and wonderful info to get started.

Dean Silvers provides great advice that can be used by any aspiring film maker. While he "name drops" real celebrities, the people he names were NOT celebrities at the times that his examples take place. I have read no more valuable book for achieving success in the film industry; and my own career began to take off immediately after following some of Dean's methods.

It's a great insight on how to become a filmmaker but I'm not sure of the credibility since I don't know who the writer is

Dean Silvers shows by example how many times one needs to fall before standing in the film and TV business, with lots of personal anecdotes that relate directly to the advice that he shares. Up to date assessment of how to navigate a challenging but utterly fascinating business.

No-Nonsense insider's guide through the process of creating and selling your script. Very helpful.

Simple, intuitive and for the modern filmmaker. If you are from the UK it will help but do not expect there to be tips specifically for the UK. Overall Dean is a great writer and industry mentor and this book has been very inspirational. Thank you

This was great. Showing that there are many ways to break in but there are some choices that will reap better returns for the efforts you put into making and packaging your project as a writer-director and actor. Great read.

Me a ayudado a comprender muchas cosas antes de tomar una mala decisión. Y la forma de expresarse es sencilla de comprender.

The book seems fine but the bottom is scored through meaning that it is returned stock - the price did not reflect this!