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About the Book
Film is dead -- well, film stock and processing at least are now defunct technologies. But we still make "films". The impact of digital technology on production processes is clear, but every aspect of filmmaking is undergoing change: from development and financing through to sales and distribution. This book examines some of the drivers of change, going beyond technology to economic and socio-cultural factors while focussing on the impacts on independent production. Most importantly, it offers a guide to new methods of filmmaking based on modern business processes. It will be an essential handbook for any independent filmmaker hoping to build a sustainable career.
About the Author
At age eight Stephen Murphy won a reel-to-reel tape recorder in a cereal box competition. Within hours of receiving the prize he used it to make his first recording: the theme to Green Acres, live from the family TV. His life in screen production was just beginning.
Eventually he made filmmaking his career. After graduating from film school, he worked on commercials, corporates, and short films, then moved on to the big time of telemovies, mini-series and feature films. He has worked on location and in post-production, enjoying the catering in the case of the former and the air-conditioning in the case of the latter. He has learned that films and celebrities come and go while bacon and egg rolls stay pretty much the same, and that one black hole of a studio is just like any other, no matter where it is in the world.
Thinking that others should learn the real truths behind film production, he began teaching people how to keep their creative dreams alive while standing around on set waiting for something, anything, to happen. He has been Head of Sound at AFTRS, taught at TAFE NSW, and was Head of Teaching at International Film School Sydney. He is proud to say his students have gone on to be quite successful.
After working in film for over a quarter of a century, Stephen remains as passionate and excited about the industry as the day he started. He has seen a lot of change over those years, and now is committed to helping others build sustainable careers as filmmakers.