Yes You Can

Well Intentioned, But Doesn't Quite Hit The Mark (for me). YMMV

I have been reading a chapter of YES YOU CAN every night since it arrived. The chapters are easy and filled with enthusiasm, but sadly(?) lacking in the practical nuts and bolts that I was looking for in a book on microbudget cinema. The book is designed with a clean look - almost too clean for my taste. I would have liked to have seen budgets (where to spend and why), storyboards, BTS shots of lighting setups or diagrams, etc... while I understand much of the paperwork might be intimidating to the first-timer, I think the value of seeing the relationship of budget to schedule to film would have justified the potential intimidation. That said, your sections on camera choices and other equipment are good, but again your visuals (or lack thereof) let you down. I mean, how can you discuss the merits of your Sony camera without even having a picture of it in the book? Also, no illustration of the "Rule of 3rds?" A picture is worth a thousand words. Again, the book is very enthusiastic about everything it discusses, but it lacks the 'meat and potatoes' to take it to the level of being a 'must-have' for the reader's film book resource library. I do hope you take the book back to the editing room and give it a re-cut. There are things here that every filmmaker needs to know, but you don't allow them the visual tools to absorb them. I would also recommend you sit down and write a book on the marketing and distribution of your films. That's a stand alone subject that needs more exploration for first-timers to understand what they're getting into so that the audience can find their films.

This book is freedom

I have been so inspired by Courtney Daniels and the way she took her career into her own hands. I read this in one sitting but imagine this book will slowly unfold its gifts over many years to come.

Hi, I did not get book yet. Im sure it will come soon, Thanks