Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide
by Chris Gore
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Book Summary Information
Author: Chris GoreEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2004-09
ISBN: 1580650570
Number of pages: 480
Publisher: Lone Eagle
Book Reviews of Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide
Book Review: Gore's Ultimate Guide
Summary: 5 Stars
Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide
By Chris Gore
Review by Pi Ware
There are few books that truly deserve the term "Ultimate" in their title. The 3rd edition of Chris Gore's book, Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide, is one of those rare books. This is a must-read for every filmmaker. And it is a must-read not only before you apply to film festivals, but ideally, it's a must-read when you're conceiving the script. Because Gore's guide is not simply an extensive listing of festivals or a compilation of checklists of what to bring, but-first and foremost-Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide is an attempt to understand the entire marketplace of independent film. And it's an attempt to arm the filmmaker with all the knowledge, materials, courage and charm to succeed in that marketplace.
Gore packs this essential guide with interviews from successful filmmakers like Morgan Spurlock and Jared Hess, with Sundance director Geoff Gilmore, and with notorious film rep Jeff Dowd. But Gore also includes interviews from filmmakers whose films have not sold at Sundance, filmmakers who have self-distributed, and filmmakers whose films have out-and-out bombed. All of which serves to give you a very well-rounded and realistic perspective of the indie film world-a goal that few people in the media have ever attempted. In fact, most of what you read about indie filmmaking concentrates on the 1 in a 1000 success story and then distorts it into some kind of low-effort "overnight" success. Gore bursts that bubble. And tells you the truth.
Here's the basics of what Gore's book arms you with:
- in-depth analysis of the Top 10 film festivals, and why you should apply to these first
- tips from true experts on how to make a splash to maximize potential distribution offers
- how to create the all-important marketing materials such as a web site, poster, postcard, press kit, and trailer
- lists of mistakes filmmakers commit that screw up their films
- comprehensive listings of over 1,000 film festivals, including travel tips and contact information
Perhaps what I like the most about the book is that Gore reiterates the secret festival strategy that select filmmakers have devised after attending festivals around the world: be nice. This underestimated strategy is part of the long-term thinking that characterizes Gore's guide. He advocates other virtues that you'll find equally as important during your daunting struggle through the film world: patience and humility. "When you pick up the trades and read that this film or that film sold for a million bucks," he writes, "don't let it get you down when yours does not sell. The cold truth is that the entertainment business moves at a glacial pace. Things happen very, very slowly, so you must have patience. You may not close a distribution deal for you film, but you'll have made many new friends and useful contacts that will help you along on your eighteen month (or more!) journey in getting your work seen in front of appreciative festival audiences."
The book suffers in minor ways due to Gore's overly informal writing style and the advertisements peppered throughout as if it were a magazine (and yet the cover price is $21.95). It's funny to note, too, that the most detailed of the checklists is about successfully crashing a party. But these criticisms are petty. Gore's twenty year real-world experience shines through and empowers you to take advantage of the ultimate launching pad for nearly every indie film in the world: the film festival.
Summary of Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide
Chris Gore reveals how to get a film accepted and what to do after acceptance, from putting together a press kit to putting on a great party.The recent boom in independent filmmaking has been both a boon and an added challenge for aspiring directors. While the chic status of festivals like Sundance makes it easier for a few hot new directors to find major distributors, other worthy films risk being lost amid a sudden flood of contenders. Chris Gore, editor of Film Threat magazine, has written the Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide to help the aspiring auteur rise above the tide. The book is chock-full of practical down-and-dirty advice. Every aspect of submitting to and attending film festivals is covered, from an exhaustive listing of festivals and their entry deadlines (the Turku, Finland, Lesbian and Gay Film Festival deadline is in July, so get cracking) to what to wear to the industry party you'll be crashing (big pants with big pockets, the better to stash giveaways and whip out business cards). You can even find a listing for the best bar in the Ukraine (Eric's in Kyiv) and a sidebar of handy tips that will keep you on your projectionist's good side.
Perhaps most helpful is Gore's inclusion of interviews with actual filmmakers who have experienced wildly varying degrees of success; the directors are remarkably candid and very generously try to help others avoid their own mistakes. Those who are still struggling not only illustrate the ongoing process of learning to play industry games, they show an artist's remarkable ability to keep the spirit alive. Filmmaker Joal Ryan memorably describes taking inspiration from the career of Pauly Shore: "The world tells him he's not funny; he says he is--and keeps working." Whether you want to be a filmmaker or just party like one, The Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide will help you operate like a true industry player. --Ali Davis
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