How Not to Make a Short Film

Secrets from a Sundance Programmer

By: Roberta Marie Munroe

Narrated by: Roberta Marie Munroe

Anyone can make a short film, right? Just grab some friends and your handheld and you can do it in a weekend or two before being accepted to a slew of film festivals, right?

Wrong.

Roberta Munroe screened short film submissions at Sundance for five years, and is an award-winning short filmmaker in her own right. So she knows a thing or two about how not to make a short film. From the first draft of your script to casting, production, editing, and distribution, this is your one-stop primer for breaking into the business. Featuring interviews with many of today's most talented writers, producers, and directors, as well as revealing stories (e.g., what to do when the skinhead crack addict next door begins screaming obscenities as soon as you call "action") from the sets of her own short films, Roberta walks you through the minefield of mistakes that an aspiring filmmaker can make--so that you don't have to make them yourself.

Critic reviews

"Roberta Munroe is that rare person in the film world who can not only recognize an inspired, great film, but she can actually help you make one."—Mark Duplass, Sundance and SXSW award-winning filmmaker

"Roberta Munroe is brilliant. Her advice and insights on our project, The Tribe, from rough cut to completed film were instrumental and invaluable to its success. It is exciting to think that all filmmakers will have access to her incredible mind and experience through this book."—Tiffany Shlain, award-winning filmmaker

Crucial for any filmmaker

There's just too much info for someone to remember. Get your producer room team together, give them this incredible resource and make your film amazing!!

Review

Great book! Now I’m off to get the hard copy of it, so many gems

Interesting book, but has aged a little now.

Enjoyed the book overall, but read was a bit slow and the information has aged a little.

Just What I Was Looking For

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. There is a lot of excellent information in here for the beginning short film producer or producer/dir. As with other books related to the movie business, I think it will be helpful to also purchase the hard copy. But I like having this to listen to while in the car. Well done for my purposes.

Any additional comments?

I'll get the hard copy as well.

Honest

Putting humility first, allow yourself to take in first hand advice from people actually involved

Awesome!

I read the book when it was first printed, but it was great to actually hear Ms. Munroe read the audio book herself. Nice voice over!

Excellent!

Extremely informative book on how not to make a short film. The author provides great insight into the process of making a short film and some of the challenges filmmakers face throughout the process. She also provides pointers and guides the listener in the direction of what to do for best possible outcome. Excellent book, Roberta.

Totally Useful

As a new Filmmaker, Roberta lights the way. She speaks quietly to my dismay. Overall, it's insightful and will definitely help me in my journey.

VS Angry Filmmaker Guide
Same with Kelly's book, I think they're both valuable and it helps to hear another's perspective especially when you don't have the experience yet.

I love this book and hate this book

It's absolutely 5 stars. The information is great and the anecdotes interesting, but wow from thinking I was close to ready.... It really made me stop and realise I had a lot more to do. She's balances ideals with realism... With a touch of skepticism and a heap of encouragement.

All the moves

Is this book dated? A little.
Does it matter? No.
If you ever wanted to make a film but lost your way or keep making films without a sensible understanding of how the industry works, this book offers you so much tough love and solid course correction.