Fast, Cheap & Under Control: Lessons Learned from the Greatest Low-Budget Movies of All Time (20th Anniversary...

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John Gaspard

Fast, Cheap & Under Control

Name: Fast, Cheap & Under Control
Price: 37.94 AUD
Availability: OutOfStock
ISBN: 9798994054130

Lessons Learned from the Greatest Low-Budget Movies of All Time (20th Anniversary Special Edition)...

John Gaspard

$44.95 $37.94

Paperback

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English

John Gaspard
22 December 2025

Films, movies & cinema; Film theory & criticism; Film movie production: technical skills; Reference works

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.

By: John Gaspard
Imprint: John Gaspard
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 21mm
Weight: 526g
ISBN: 9798994054130
Pages: 394
Publication Date: 22 December 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

John is author of the award-winning Eli Marks mystery series and the Como Lake Players mystery series. He also has several other stand-alone novels, including four greyhound inspired pastiches. His magician-themed Eli Marks series also launched a companion podcast (""Behind the Page: The Eli Marks podcast"") in which listeners can hear audiobook versions of the books, as well as interviews with top magicians and entertainers (Dick Cavett, The Amazing Kreskin, Lance Burton, Teller and many more). The podcast is just starting its fifth season.John is also an award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker; he's directed six low-budget features and has written multiple books on the subject of low-budget filmmaking.His most recent fiction book is the tenth book in his Eli Marks series (""Twisting the Aces,"" with Michael Varma) as well as a non-fiction coffee table book, ""Held Over: Harold and Maude at The Westgate Theater.""John lives in Minneapolis and shares his home with his lovely wife, two greyhounds, a couple cats and a handful of pet allergies.