Shooting to Kill

Labeled the ""godmother to the politically committed film"" by the New York Times, producer Vachon, head of NYC's Killer Films, emerged as one of the key players in the current independent film movement with such movies as Kids, Safe, Go Fish, I Shot Andy Warhol and Velvet Goldmine, scheduled by Miramax for November. For this guided tour through the world of low-budget independent filmmaking, Vachon teamed with Slate film critic Edelstein to ""tell you what producers do and how you can do it too."" With 15 years of experience, she's writing about what she knows--the full filmmaking process from the pitch and story rights to script development and financing through casting, costs, crews, computer schedules and storyboards, scouting locations and constructing sets, editing and postproduction, deals and distribution, film fests and marketing. Covering all aspects, she outlines factors that make ""the difference between a dream shoot and a campfire-ready tale of terror."" This is no dry textbook, since even chapters crammed with facts and information communicate a kinetic enthusiasm. Diary excerpts and 50 b&w photos punctuate the blitz on budgets and breakdowns, and other industry pros toss in short sidebar observations. Entertaining, emotional anecdotes abound, contrasting negotiation nightmares with Vachon's desire to protect her directors, actors and associates. Although the prose style's jump-cut jumble might leave some yearning for a more conventional chronological structure, Vachon reaches readers on such a level of intimate intensity it's evident that her future books will be green-lighted. (Sept.)