Focusing on the practical tools required to making your first student film, this book is a concise and accessible guide to film production. Kelly covers all the key bases including: organizing your script, when and how to shoot, production budgeting, finding actors and locations, and roadmapping postproduction.

Rory Kelly is a Professor in UCLA's Department of Film, Television and Digital Media. His first feature, Sleep with Me, premiered as an Official Selection at Cannes, had a Gala Screening at Toronto and was distributed by MGM/UA. His second feature, Some Girl, garnered him the Best Director Award at the Los Angeles Film Festival. His most recent short, "Down to Nothing," premiered at the Maryland International Film Festival and his first feature documentary, To Someday Understand, premiered this year at the Oakland International Film Festival. He has worked as a camera assistant, camera operator, sound designer and was co-executive producer on mtvU's "Sucks Less with Kevin Smith." He is the recipient of a Distinguished Teaching Award and a published scholar.

1. Keep It Simple, 2. Organize Your Script, 3 Decide When to Shoot What, 4. Decide How to Shoot What, 5. Settle on a Look, 6. Don't Break the Bank, 7. Find Crew, 8. Find Places to Shoot, 9. Find Actors, 10. Collaborate and Communicate, 11. Rehearse It Before You Shoot It, 12. Obey the Rules of Engagement, Afterword: Postproduction and Beyond, Appendices, Sample Script (Orbiting by Karen Glienke), Sample Breakdown, Sample Budget