Mahaffy has staked out a quiet reputation as one of our most accomplished and necessary independent auteurs. Filmmaker Magazine
A must-read for all writer-directors, whether youre about to make your first short or have already directed three features. This book is written by a low-budget warrior whos been to the front lines and returned full of battle-born insight and strategic concepts that cant be found in any other book. Mike Ryan, Producer (Junebug, The Turin Horse, Fay Grim, The Comedy, Old Joy, Choke, Palindromes)
"Jake Mahaffy is one of very, very few people I'd trust to write this book. Unlike most writers who hawk their filmmaking philosophies, he's actually put extraordinary work up on the screen. And unlike most legit filmmakers (who tend to be a little insane), he's got the patience and trust to communicate clearly what he's learned over his decades in the microbudget trenches. I envy the next generation of artists having this book as a resource and inspiration..." Andrew Bujalski, Director (Funny Ha Ha, Mutual Appreciation, Computer Chess, Results, There There)
For years Jake Mahaffy has forged very unique paths to making modest in scale but high form works of World Cinema Lucky for those eager to make films, Jake has thoughtfully detailed his approach in a way that is both very structured and open to filmmaker's for their own use. Mahaffy gets into the core principles of his approach, backed up with a broad set of references that illustrate how others have used similar tactics to make great films with limited means. Michael Bowes, Executive Producer of the Oscar-winning film American Fiction, John and the Hole, Rubberneck, Far From Afghanistan
Mahaffy has created multiple shorts and features that are distinctive, with powerful stories told in a way that is truly independent. He has turned limited resources into his unique style and poetry, you don't forget his imagery. Plus he has taught filmmaking for decades, so why not learn low budget filmmaking straight from the source?Mike Plante, Senior Programmer, Sundance Film Festival
Mahaffy has put into words things that I didnt know how to express and provided simple tools I cant believe I overlooked. Ive not read another book on filmmaking thats both accessible and profoundly rich. Gabe McCauley, Director of the Emmy-winning series Reconnecting Roots
