Business and Entrepreneurship for Filmmakers

This practical guide teaches readers the skills and business acumen required to build a career in the film industry from the ground up.

While countless books and classes teach newcomers the creative aspects of the film industry, many fail to properly prepare readers for the reality of how to navigate a freelance film career today. From creating a business model, dealing with taxes and funding, finding and managing clients, networking, investing, cashflow, and planning for the long-term, Business and Entrepreneurship for Filmmakers provides real-world, pragmatic advice on navigating a freelance film career, whether you’re a recent film school graduate looking to take the next step or a seasoned professional hoping to start a production company. Moreover, the skills taught here apply across the industry, from corporate media and commercials to music videos and feature films.

Interviews with filmmakers, innovators, and business experts are included throughout the book to offer further expertise and examples.

“"Charles has a wealth and variety of "boots on the ground" experience in the film world. He, more than most people I know, has the kind of knowledge you'd be foolish to pass up. He's made it easy for you by putting it all in this book." Benno Nelson,Creative Director and Owner, Yes Equals Yes "A candid portrait of the film industry. Charles uses lessons from his own life as well as personal accounts from a variety of others in the industry to breakdown the taboo of talking about money, demonstrate that art is a business, while also inspiring young filmmakers to take charge of their own careers." Jason Kliot, Oscar Nominated Producer of Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, Capernaum, Coffee and Cigarettes "Charles Haine is like the wise older brother that every up-and-coming filmmaker needs. In this book, he guides you through the realities of building a film or media career with both pragmatism and care." Liz Nord,Filmmaker and Senior Producer, Sundance Institute "Charles Haine has written an immensely readable, highly informative book that is a welcome companion for all those looking to sustain a career in the film industry. Filmmakers, actors, and artists across various disciplines will benefit from the guidance Haine offers in his well-organized chapters. It is like having a conversation with an experienced friend who does all the talking." Cedering Fox, Founder and Artistic Director of WordTheatre”

"Charles has a wealth and variety of "boots on the ground" experience in the film world. He, more than most people I know, has the kind of knowledge you'd be foolish to pass up. He's made it easy for you by putting it all in this book."

Benno Nelson, Creative Director and Owner, Yes Equals Yes


"A candid portrait of the film industry. Charles uses lessons from his own life as well as personal accounts from a variety of others in the industry to breakdown the taboo of talking about money, demonstrate that art is a business, while also inspiring young filmmakers to take charge of their own careers."

Jason Kliot, Oscar Nominated Producer of Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, Capernaum, Coffee and Cigarettes

"Charles Haine is like the wise older brother that every up-and-coming filmmaker needs. In this book, he guides you through the realities of building a film or media career with both pragmatism and care."

Liz Nord, Filmmaker and Senior Producer, Sundance Institute

"Charles Haine has written an immensely readable, highly informative book that is a welcome companion for all those looking to sustain a career in the film industry. Filmmakers, actors, and artists across various disciplines will benefit from the guidance Haine offers in his well-organized chapters. It is like having a conversation with an experienced friend who does all the talking."

Cedering Fox, Founder and Artistic Director of WordTheatre®

"Charles has a wealth and variety of "boots on the ground" experience in the film world. He, more than most people I know, has the kind of knowledge you'd be foolish to pass up. He's made it easy for you by putting it all in this book."

Benno Nelson, Creative Director and Owner, Yes Equals Yes


"A candid portrait of the film industry. Charles uses lessons from his own life as well as personal accounts from a variety of others in the industry to breakdown the taboo of talking about money, demonstrate that art is a business, while also inspiring young filmmakers to take charge of their own careers."

Jason Kliot, Oscar Nominated Producer of Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, Capernaum, Coffee and Cigarettes

"Charles Haine is like the wise older brother that every up-and-coming filmmaker needs; In this book, he guides you through the realities of building a film or media career with both pragmatism and care."

Liz Nord, Filmmaker and Senior Producer, Sundance Institute


"Charles Haine has written an immensely readable, highly informative book that is a welcome companion for all those looking to sustain a career in the film industry. Filmmakers, actors, and artists across various disciplines will benefit from the guidance Haine offers in his well-organized chapters. It is like having a conversation with an experienced friend who does all the talking."

Cedering Fox, Founder and Artistic Director of WordTheatre®

Charles Haine is a filmmaker and entrepreneur who has worked in the motion picture industry since 1999. Haine founded the production company Dirty Robber in 2008, which has gone on to success in feature films and shorts, as well as commercials and music videos. Haine is an assistant professor at the Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema at Brooklyn College, and was formerly an associate professor at Los Angeles City College. In 2011, Haine published his first book, The Urban Cyclist’s Handbook, and currently is the tech editor at NoFilmSchool.com.

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