Micro-Budget Methods of Cinematic Storytelling A Practical Guide to Making Narrative Media with Minimal Means

1. Introduction

MICRO-BUDGET SECTION

2. Efficiency & Proportion

3. Micro-budget Methods & Maximization Tactics

STORY SECTION

4. Narrative & Narration

5. Story Forms & Screenwriting

6. Performance & Appearance

7. Performance Modes

TELLING SECTION

8. Creative Vision

9. Critique & the Art of Observation

10. A Director’s Function

11. Directing Cine-motion

CINEMATICS SECTION

12. Subjectivity & Mystery

13. Blocking & Visualization

14. Editing & Sequence

15. Case Study: Free in Deed

16. Conclusion & Goals

Filmography

Bibliography

Index

Biography

Jake Mahaffy’s micro-budget, self-made films have screened around the world at film festivals and independent venues such as Venice (winning the Orizzonti Best Film Prize/2012, 2015, 2016), Sundance (2004/05/06/08/09/15), SXSW (winning the Narrative Grand Jury Prize/2008, 2016), Rotterdam, Leeds, AFI, Stockholm, Edinburgh, Moscow, Ljubljana, Boston MFA, MoMA (NY), and many others. He founded, developed and led filmmaking programs at several universities as an Associate Professor and has mentored and consulted on projects around the world.

“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 you’re about to make your first short or have already directed three features. This book is written by a low-budget warrior who’s been to the front lines and returned full of battle-born insight and strategic concepts that can’t 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 didn’t know how to express and provided simple tools I can’t believe I overlooked.  I’ve not read another book on filmmaking that’s both accessible and profoundly rich.”
Gabe McCauley, Director of the Emmy-winning series Reconnecting Roots