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Acclaimed independent filmmaker Ed Burns shares the story of his remarkable career and offers a candid, instructive account of the ins-and-outs of making great movies without the backing of Hollywood.

As the second of three children from a working-class Long Island family, Ed Burns thought a career in filmmaking was a pipe dream. When his first film, The Brothers McMullen, won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, he proved himself to be one of the most distinctive and tenacious filmmakers of our time. Since then he has gone on to star in major Hollywood films while remaining dedicated to his true passion: making small films that he believes in.

Sharing the lengths he's gone to in order to write, direct, cast, produce, shoot, and edit films on a shoestring budget, Burns uses stories from his life and career to illustrate what it takes to make it as an indie filmmaker. His extreme focus and drive prove that passion and hard work can pay off, and he urges students and aspiring filmmakers to embrace and learn from their failures—and continue to pursue their goals. A gripping, inspirational story about forging your own path, Independent Ed is a must-read for casual movie fans, serious film students, and any creative person searching for a bit of inspiration.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Publishing Group; Reprint edition (November 10, 2015)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1592409334
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1592409334
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.6 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.4 x 0.77 x 8.16 inches
Reviewer: khristin w
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: So informative and inspiring
Review: What a great, unfiltered look at Indie Film making. A thoroughly engaging and entertaining read. Highly recommend to any aspiring filmmaker or film buff.

Reviewer: SanNic44
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Honest, Sincere, Excellent
Review: In this conversational memoir/how-to, Ed Burns reveals the hows and whys that enabled him to launch and maintain his own career in the movie business. This is no Cindarella story, but rather an honest account, a frank telling of his strengths and weaknesses in the kind of tone that regular guys use when discussing regular matters. There is a gravitas to Burns' bluntness in that he doesn't sugar coat his failings or glorify his successes. It is a very workmanlike account of his career, befitting a guy who hasn't lost track of his roots despite some home runs in Hollywood. And there's more. He opens up about how he makes his movies for micro-budgets. He focuses on what's most important: The Story, the characters, the message. While others dream of the 100 million dollar budget, Burns is thrilled to just be behind (or in front) of the camera making a movie. It is a passion for him, a theme that he never surrenders. And a good thing to because so much of the movie business is glitz and glamour, so little about making a quality film. Even if not every one of Burns' movies is a smash hit, he is a sincere storyteller. Reading this book is like listening to him tell it to you. It is a great story about a guy who knows what he wants, doesn't always get it, but enjoys the journey.I would also highly recommend this book to any film students or anyone aspiring to become a filmmaker. I was there at NYU film school many years ago. I genuinely wish there was a book this honest and blunt to read because it's more than just a "tell it like it is" thing. This book is about a philosophy, about doing what you love and loving what you do, regardless of the paycheck. You either are or you are not. Ed Burns is what he wants to be, a filmmaker. This book takes you into his world. Enjoy it, especially if you want to make films or understand the process. If ever there was a filmmaker whose work I've seen and read that I wanted to work with, it is Ed Burns.

Reviewer: Pablo
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great Indie Filmmaking Book!
Review: This is a really good book. Ed Burns keeps is simple and honest. He has a lot of great tips for economical filmmaking that are useful to any low budget filmmaker. Even if you don't like his films you'll like him and his stories after you read the book.

Reviewer: Barry Sparks
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Multi-talented Burns offers education and inspiration
Review: Ed Burns is a multi-talented guy--he's a writer, producer, director, filmmaker and actor.Burns worked at a production assistant for Entertainment Tonight for four years before making his first film, The Brothers McMullen. He made the film for $25,000 in 12 days, and it changed his life.The film won the top award at the Sundance Film Festival, even though it was rejected by hundreds of other film festivals, including the Long Island Film Festival (Burns is from Long Island and the film was shot in Long Island).Despite the success, Burns went for eight years without equaling the success of his first movie. He became adept at making small films, with many of his friends serving as actors, on small budgets.Burns said, "You can always make a movie, but the real problem is how do you get people to see it once it's made."Much of the book details how Burns fought to get his films seen. Burns has been an innovator in using different technologies to release a film. He has become a master at making "microbudget" movies.He said, "For the first time in the history of the cinema, filmmaking does not need to be a capitalist enterprise."Burns, who almost gave up his filmmaking career several times, has sound advice for others:"There are no bad movies. Making movies is a gift, a joy.""We do this because we have no choice; it is who we are.""You must love what you do and do it with everything you have.""Independent Ed" is educational and inspirational, regardless of your aspirations. You do not have to be a budding filmmaker to enjoy this book.

Reviewer: J. Szpila
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: An Enjoyable Read for Ed Burns Fans
Review: An enjoyable read for those familiar with Edward Burns' career in independent film production as writer, director, and actor. The book relates Burns' efforts in not only creating his screenplays but also in the grinding nuts and bolts efforts of getting those screenplays financed and produced. The word that comes most to mind is "perseverance": Burns' chronicles the tenacity required by young, modestly financed filmmakers in getting their visions realized against oftentimes heavy odds. It's admirable that he fully acknowledges the support of those along the way who have helped him bring his aspirations to life.The informal style Burns adapts in telling his story suggests a likeable young man who deeply cares about his movies and respects those he has worked with over the course of more than twenty years' experience in writing, directing, and starring in independent films.One curious moment in "Independent Ed": as we approach the end of the book, Mr. Burns mentions beginning consideration of a "prequel" to his first hit film, "The Brothers McMullen"--but the project is interrupted by his relating all the complex ins-and-outs of his experiences in bringing the TNT TV series "Public Morals" to life. The "McMullen prequel" is never mentioned again. A shame, because "The Brothers M" is such a good film, and I'm sure any Ed Burns fan reading this book would have loved to have heard more about Burns' revisiting that material. Hopefully, that "dream" (as Burns likes to call his film-making vision) is still alive.Of course, craftsman that this book shows he is, Burns would undoubtedly sanction a second McMullen project only if its storytelling could stand up to the quality level of that endearingly original film, which transcends its famously small budget and grainy student film stock with sharply delineated characters, a tightly-plotted script, and nuanced performances from every actor.

Reviewer: EMF
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Solo voy por la mitad pero ya lo recomiendo, porque me parece un libro absolutamente inspirador para guionistas y directores.

Reviewer: debee_bambino
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I absolutely loved this book. I have read so many books by Independent film makers and this is easily the most informative, inspirational and truthful. Usually the books on this subject are all about how if you follow this advice and these step by step guidelines it is really easy and you can be successful just like me, here let me just wave my magic wand and make all your dreams come true forever, those books are not brutally honest about the process of film making at all, it is more about stroking their own egos. Ed Burns basically says.. "hey it is great that you want to be an independent film maker, it can be really good fun and rewarding and feel amazing when you have success, and I really hope you get to achieve what it is you really want to… oh but just so you know, this is seriously difficult, sometimes it is going to make you feel like a total failure, there will be days when you feel absolutely lousy, you may be on top of the world on Tuesday morning and at your lowest point ever Tuesday afternoon", yet it is that absolute honesty by him that gives you hope, because Ed Burns is successful, so for him to admit that there are hard times when it isn't a breeze, as a film maker at the start of your journey with all it's anxiety and fear, it helps you to realise that you still can get where you want to be with blood sweat and tears. It is encouraging, gives you self belief. I took away from it that with passion make sure you keep the dedication and commitment going, and be prepared for the fact you have to fight for it all. You are supplied with actual useful and practical advice on micro budget film making, informed about the tricks of the trade to make your life easier, let in on the pitfalls so you can avoid the same mistakes, advised how to make the best use of what you've got, and I liked the fact that rather than it being dictation on what to do and what not to do he gives you ideas and suggestions that may work for you. I have a film degree, it took me 3 years, I learn't more from reading this book, enough said! 🙂

Reviewer: 7777
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: It was a fantastic and easy written book.This Book is a must read for every Young/old filmmaker, who wants to make his own Movies.Here are some precious advice from Mr. Burns.I likes this Book a lot!!!

Reviewer: Michael
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Edward Burns shows just how much time, gumption, and there really is a special need for stories that are not huge blockbusters. He shows that writing worlds you can relate to have a magic to them and making sure that when Hollywood heavy-weights and those in your inner-circle come together it never feels like a JOB.

Reviewer: Brendan Nicholls
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: the story of the films of Ed Burns, I'm a great fan of his work and to see the brilliance that has gone into the newer films is amazing. As new filmmakers we have the opportunity to not fall into the pitfalls that so many filmmakers like Burns have. We have the opportunity to stay straight and not lose or integrity, small films with final cut are the future of film. I've been saying it for ten years now, the birth of the indie movement has only touched the sidewalk, it's taken a break but remember authors aren't always big when they start, musicians aren't always one hit wonders, the growth of the indie market will be full of crappy wannabe filmmakers but that's the nature of transitioning to new and exciting technology.leave film to the hollywood glamours and allow us grassroots filmmakers the affordable tools to tell our stories. Ed Burns tried to grow within the hollywood world but essentially discovered the grassroots filmmaking style he abandoned was always the calling card. You control the story, the actors and everybody walks away with the same percentage of the film, you all own the film. I absolutely love this style of filmmaking and while it's not yet there, this is the right style for growing the independent scene.the back stories are fun and interesting but they are mistakes made by Ed, all filmmakers must have their own seperate journey, some of the stories may assist but I'm sure you will fall into similiar situations and have your own stories to tell. The struggles of filmmaking will forever be your issue, we all won't have the star status that Ed has, but learning from others is okay, I found this to be a fun and interesting book. Like I have said, I plan to adopt the grassroots style for my upcoming projects and allow everyone to have a slice of the project.