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Fast, Cheap & Under Control: Lessons Learned from the Greatest Low-Budget Movies of All Time (20th Anniversary Special Edition)
Paperback
Film StudiesFilmmakingFilm Guides & Reference
Publisher: John Gaspard
Published: Dec 22 2025
Pages: 394
Weight: 1.16
Height: 0.81 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
Twenty years later, the secrets are still gold.
When Fast, Cheap & Under Control first hit shelves in 2006, it became the underground handbook for a generation of indie filmmakers. Now, two decades on, this 20th Anniversary Special Edition proves the lessons inside aren't just timeless-they're more essential than ever.
What's changed? Technology. Platforms. Distribution.
What hasn't? The grit, ingenuity, and sheer determination it takes to make a great film with nothing but vision and hustle.
Inside, you'll find:
- Exclusive interviews with legends like Steven Soderbergh, Roger Corman, Jon Favreau, Henry Jaglom, Kasi Lemons, Dan O'Bannon, Bob Odenkirk and more
- Over 100 images bringing the stories to life
- 40+ links to trailers, scenes, and supplementary material-turning this book into an interactive master class
- Real-world case studies from 33 groundbreaking low-budget films-from Clerks and El Mariachi to The Blair Witch Project and sex, lies, and videotape
- Field-tested lessons from the author's own four features-proof that these principles work in the real world, on set, in the edit room, and on screen
Whether you're shooting on your phone or scraping together a micro-budget, this is your master class in turning limitations into strengths.
No film school required. Just this book.
Roger Corman called it the textbook for his legendary filmmaking school. Now it's your turn to learn from the best.
★★★★★
This terrific little book explains how to make every penny count.
-John Carpenter, Director, Halloween
As good as film school, and a lot less expensive.
-Lloyd Kaufman, President, Troma Entertainment
I wish I'd read this book before I made Re-Animator.
-Stuart Gordon, Director
Grab the 20th Anniversary Special Edition now-and start making the film you've always dreamed of.
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