“The Basics of Filmmaking” focuses the cameras on working professionals who cover every step of the filmmaking process, each addressing his or her particular area of expertise. Subjects include accounting, acquisitions, actors, directing, composing and original music, editing, distribution and producer’s representatives, festivals and screenings, financing, insurance and completion bonds, legal aspects and copyrights, locations, marketing, music editing and music licensing. Also discussed are negative cutting, post sound, producing, production design and art departments, pre-production and production guidelines, publicity and press packages, schools, titles and digital design, writing and scripts, and more.

In addition to writer/director Kines, participants featured in the 2-1/2 hours that were edited from more than 48 hours of roundtable dialogue and subsequent interviews include: Mark Allan, Vice President, Title House Digital; music editor Dick Bernstein; James Christopher, Post Sound; Christopher Farrell, composer/music supervisor; Terrence Foster, production designer; Irv Goodnoff, director of photography; Julie Haffner, Attorney at Law; Jeff Hardwick, The Jeff Hardwick Casting; screenwriter William Hasley; Julie Janata, film editor; Ernest J. Koeppen, marketing specialist, Paramount Pictures DigiSync Media; and, Amy Lyndon, filmmaker, Big DREAM Productions.

Also featured are Theresa Repola Mohammad, negative cutter, The Reel Master; Seth Nagel, former Manager of Acquisitions, Columbia Tristar Motion Picture Group; Mark Northam, music licensing specialist and founder, Film Music Network; Bob Primes, A.S.C., cinematographer; Benjamin F. Sacks, line producer / UPM; Carol Savoie, CPA, Deloitte & Touche LLP; and, Marc Spivey, Speare & Company (insurance).

The CD ROM included in the package contains a wealth of valuable resources, forms and checklists. Included are lists and website locations for guilds, festivals, trade shows, and industry publications; distributor’s delivery requirements; a production chart; feature film and video production budget examples; and, a glossary of terms. Checklists are included for distribution, editorial and sound, finance, insurance, legal, literary acquisition, location, producer, publicity and talent. Agreement forms include co-production, joint venture, location, non-disclosure and writer collaboration examples.