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

* “Jason proves that top-notch production values are within the reach of anyone who has ever dreamt of making his own movie. Jason knows what he’s talking about because he’s actually done it!”
- Steve Skrovan, Executive Producer, “Everybody Loves Raymond”
* “Absolutely the most in-depth, informative and entertaining filmmaking book out there. It takes you through everything you need to know, demystifies the process, and shows you exactly how to make a movie, even if you don’t have a huge budget.”
- Kevin Cooper, Executive Producer, “Secondhand Lions”
* “The forms are what will probably get the most use from anyone who buys the Power Filmmaking Kit….the example letters are the treasure trove of the whole kit. Reading through these letters, you can see how Jason Tomaric was able to secure locations and equipment for free.” – Making the Movie blog
* “Mr. Tomaric has managed to write an exceptionally lucid and informative filmmaking volume in The Power Filmmaking Kit. As such, I highly recommend this to any microfilmmakers who are just starting out and want a good foundation. For filmmakers with more experience, this is still a very detailed book on the art of filmmaking that would prove helpful on your production bookshelf.”
-Jeremy Hanke, MicroFilmaker Magazine
“Few beginners’ guides are as thorough as Jason J. Tomaric’s The Power Filmmaking Kit, a book-and-DVD combo that benefits from the author’s experience as an award-winning independent filmmaker. There are no wasted words in Tomaric’s 400-page tome, which concisely summarizes each facet of the director’s craft while keeping the limitations of a first-time project in mind.” -Jim Hemphill, American Cinematographer Magazine
5 Stars Another Shot in the DV Revolution
I was so frustrated with the lack of practical filmmaking instruction that I took two years out of my life to write and illustrate “The Shut Up and Shoot Documentary Guide”, so I speak from the heart when I say that Jason Tomaric’s “Power Filmmaking Kit” is a rare wonder of practicality, conciseness, and valuable filmmaking wisdom.
There are two ways you learn the things in a solid practical film book like this:
1) the hard way- by doing it and learning from your mistakes (fine if you’ve got the time and the money) or
2) by being smart enough to study and learn from a book like this how to stretch your time and money and get better results.
After fifteen years in this business, I still found plenty of valuable tidbits, forms, and practical wisdom in Jason’s book and the jam-packed DVD lessons to make it more than worth the cover price. I only wish I had access to a book like this back in my film school days.
Yet another big shot in the DV Revolution. Well done, Jason.
5 Stars A terrific primer
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.
3 Stars Lots of information, not much to say
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.
5 Stars Very good step by step information on filmmaking
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.
5 Stars FANTASTIC BOOK! A Great Resource guide.
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!