Indie Horror 101: "Making Movies by John Russo"

[maestro1d]

As everyone gears up for Horror Fest, just wanted to throw this out for discussion...

I've seen Tobe Hooper mentioned several times on the horror fest thread... Any one who has not read it, I highly recommend the book "Making Movies by John Russo".

If I remember correctly from reading it (about 20 years ago) there was a lot of discussion with Tobe Hooper about Tex Chainsaw, and Poltergeist.

This was one of the first books I found as a kid on the subject of indie film production, and it goes into great depth about film financing i.e. how to set up a limited partnership, how to approach people for money for a film, pre-production, etc.

There's a lot of 16 mm film discussion in here, but the business methods are still very applicable to today's DV world.

And speaking of horror, guess who else is interviewed for this book? That's right... Sam Raimi. Lots of discussions of Evil Dead as a film school class project (and the remake of ED II is from that- Evil Dead one was like a rough cut).

Book also has interviews with Lizzie Borden, Oliver Stone & others.

if that's not enough, let's see.. oh yeah... Also has interview with a guy named George Romero about a neat little black and white film he did called "Night of the Living Dead"... you may have heard of it.

Apparently, John Russo started out in the biz with Romero on this film.

I checked it out at amazon- looks like it's out of print but still available from some private sellers. Grab it at ebay if you have to.

PLEASE NOTE: There are a few reviews at amazon from some mean spirited simpletons slamming this book and the author personally. Ignore the idiotic rants and buy it any way.

Truly a great read- miss it at your own peril. It is INDIE FILM 101, and a great primer for horror shooters wanting to see how the 70's masters did it on a shoestring.

[Jack Daniel Stanley]

thanks for the headsup.

I'll check it out

[maestro1d]

Originally Posted by Jack Daniel Stanley

thanks for the headsup.

I'll check it out

Let me know what u think of book...

I am downloading your trailer now- your banner (sig) finally drew me in after I saw it a few times... I liked the different reds on the face in banner- most guys woulda just used one red- I like that kind of detail.

...i'll let you know what I think of clip after watching... looks cool so far

[maestro1d]

Originally Posted by maestro1d

Let me know what u think of book...

I am downloading your trailer now- your banner (sig) finally drew me in after I saw it a few times... I liked the different reds on the face in banner- most guys woulda just used one red- I like that kind of detail.

...i'll let you know what I think of clip after watching... looks cool so far

RE: Bone Hand (Short Feature)

Wow.

I mean... really. Wow.

I missed out on this short during Herofest... Why? Cause just I bought my two DVX100bs (after HEROFEST), then found the inimitably awesome DVXUSER.com after the fact.

After seeing your flick, all I can say is I am blown away.

I have seen a lot of stuff (shorts, clips, etc) over the last few weeks filmed on the DVX. Some cool, some funny, some iffy, some ground breaking, some total crap.

Your short is without a doubt- unbelievably cool.

Bestist dang stuff I have seen since the "Broken" DVD- it deserves the same follow through and hype btw- bring that @#$@ to MEGACON next year in ORLANDO and it will go OVER big time- email me before you come, I'll help with intros and props with the peeps.

You had incredible lighting (FINALLY from a DV film!) and great subtlety to sell effects and costumes- MAN- SOMEONE who finally understands not only DV filmmaking potential (and the importance of PROPER lighting and attention to contrast in camera and in post) but the horror genre as a whole. Ala hitchcock, you know what to show and what not to show for max creepy style.

And where the hellllll did u find that kid actress? She turned in one of the best child performances I have seen since Dakota Fanning in "War of the Worlds" or even Drew B in "ET" and "Firestarter"

... the bit at the end where she finally relaizes the mortality involved and gently pushes the corpse hand to the side. MAN. Awseome! ...total props on the direction of that bit. Really sells the drama of whole short.

Great start, effects, script, acting, concept, and ending.

Hell even your bit player villains were good. Good pacing, good editing, good night scene shots and lighting... sigh.

I know I'm being effusive, but I am no newbie to the ent biz... I don't dole this stuff out lightly- check my posts. This stuff rocks. I felt more entertained here in 5 mins and 20 secs than I did in two plus hours of X-Men Three a couple weeks ago (sorry- don't mean to insult u with the comparison).

I wish you the best of success... kudos on the film, and if you are ever planning to be in Orlando- let me know in advance. Maybe we can collaborate on some craziness, as we have some stuff coming up.

[Paul Reichelt]

Hey, As a result of your "raving" review for Making Movies by John Russo I decided to pick it up....at a sweet price of $4.07 Shipped Jump on Ebay guys and you can find a few used copies at about $1 and a new one at just $5.

Figure its less then my lunch today.

[maestro1d]

Originally Posted by Paul Reichelt

Hey, As a result of your "raving" review for Making Movies by John Russo I decided to pick it up....at a sweet price of $4.07 Shipped Jump on Ebay guys and you can find a few used copies at about $1 and a new one at just $5.

Figure its less then my lunch today.

Hope u enjoy the read, and find some useful info. Gotta dig my copy out of a box in the garage and dust it off...

:-)

[Paul Reichelt]

Yah, its enjoyable reading some of the success stories of past directors, and I'm really interested in Romero's take on things.

[joshtownsend]

Russo is a horrible director. He shows you how he made movies that suck. Heartstopper...sucks. So does everything he personally directed.

I bought this book ten years ago. The only good thing about it is the interviews he does at the end.

[maestro1d]

Originally Posted by joshtownsend

Russo is a horrible director. He shows you how he made movies that suck. Heartstopper...sucks. So does everything he personally directed.

I bought this book ten years ago. The only good thing about it is the interviews he does at the end.

The interviews are why I mentioned the book in the first place, and is where I got the most use from the book.