Here's some BOOKS I've written, about no-budget moviemaking, Siberian Escape, ART/artists, What-Ifs, The Making-of (Emerald Cities, Morgan's Cake, Showboat 1988, etc.

Also has links to European editions: https://www.epubli.com/autoren/rick-schmidt-21374

Jan 20, 2024

Kevin Smith (CLERKS, CLERKS II, CHASING AMY, etc.)

“Without Rick’s book, CLERKS would have been an idea that never made it past this page,” ––Writer/directorKevin Smith

“It is a period I am inclined to describe as the Rick Schmidt era of the American Independent film. For it was Schmidt’s 1989 book, How to Make a Feature Film at Used Car Prices, that defined that moment as much as the work of any one of its practitioners. Schmidt’s book offered tips on how to make a film for $10,000 or less.”
— Brian Price, FRAMEWORKS

“The book changed my life.” ––Vin Diesel

https://www.amazon.com/Feature-Filmmaking-Used-Car-Prices-Revised/product-reviews/B000H2N12K?reviewerType=all_reviews

https://www.amazon.com/MIRACLE-MORGANS-CAKE-Production-Sundance/dp/136642882X?SubscriptionId=1NNRF7QZ418V218YP1R2&tag=bookfinder-test-a-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=136642882X&tag=bookfinder-test-a-20

“Schmidt’s Morgan’s Cake is a deadpan, unpretentious delight. The title character, played by the film maker’s son, Morgan Schmidt-Feng, is no less comically out of sync with the world around him than the gorilla-suited David Warner character in the 1966 movie for which Morgan was named. Morgan’s Cake adopts his point of view and reflects his bewilderment in sly, fresh, unexpectedly comic ways. One of the most promising films of this year’s New Directors/New Films series.”
— Janet Maslin, THE NEW YORK TIMES

“Rick Schmidt’s approach to independent filmmaking doesn’t aim to beat down the doors to Hollywood. His latest “no-budget” film ([Morgan’s Cake] has a refreshingly personal point of view and captures sympathetically and with quiet humor the life of a late-’80s California teenager.”(Nominated for GRAND JURY PRIZE, DRAMATIC COMPETITION) — Lawrence Smith, SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

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BLACK PRESIDENT (1st book of Trilogy about JFK’s secret sons).

“I couldn’t put it down (“BLACK PRESIDENT” novel). Schmidt tells a fascinating story that mixes history with conspiracy theory and sheer fantasy to deliver a jaw-dropping and extremely entertaining read.”
— Judith Ehrlich, co-director, co-writer, THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN IN AMERICA, DANIEL ELLSBERG AND THE PENTAGON PAPERS (Academy Award nominee.).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NWCN6XG>, <https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PCTKMM7?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tpbk>.

Book-2 of “ “BLACK PRESIDENT/KENNEDY’S TWINS”TRILOGY.

https://www.amazon.com/KENNEDYS-TWINS-Rick-Schmidt/dp/1366192842/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1509391742&sr=8-1&keywords=kennedy%27s+twins+rick+schmidt

Book-3 of “BLACK PRESIDENT/KENNEDY’S TWINS” TRILOGY.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1366172361?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tpbk_2&storeType=ebooks

“Twelve Dead Frogs and Other Stories, a Filmmaker's Memoir by Rick Schmidt is an entertaining and insightful memoir and must read for everyone who aspires to become who they truly are, as artist and human being. I'm still thinking about Frogs two-weeks after reading it. It's powerful. I'm going to read it again before giving it to my son. Bravo to Rick for exposing his innermost feelings to his readers and for bringing the creative and emotional threads in his life and work together in this wonderful book.” – Cynthia DuVal, CEO and Artist at New Intelligentsia Atelier Art & Innovation

“These are the reminiscences of a passionate artist and independent filmmaker and the roller coaster ride of dedication to the creative life. The book is smart, genuine and open-hearted and reveals not just the author's artistic journey, but also his talent for friendship and fatherhood. There is wisdom here for the reader -- examples on the value of being present, of slowing down and taking time, of being open to life and creative possibilities, on keeping focus and sticking to it. From growing up in Chicago and car-loving Southern California to the energies of the San Francisco Bay Area in the 70's, to New York and international film festivals thereafter, it's the recounting of an adventurous creative life, well-told. ––Beverly Conner, Screenwriter

If you are an indie filmmaker, a fan of indie film history, or a fan of Rick Schmidt you will enjoy this memoir/autobiography/tales from Rick's filmmaking life. Rick sent me a review copy and I immediately read it - it is amazing how difficult indie filmmaking and distribution was back in the 1970s-80s (and really, even much, much later) - no internet, no digital video. Rick's book Feature Filmmaking At Used-Car Prices was one of the books that got me (and many others) started in filmmaking. This new memoir is a great companion book to Used Car Prices book - as this one provides more details, behind the scenes stories, about what it took to make the movies, and about dealing with the stress and joys of filmmaking. Highly recommended to indie filmmakers, fans, and anyone interested in filmmaking. ––Sujewa Ekanayake

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0777FHXX2

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https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-DV-Used-Car-Prices-LessThan/dp/0142004359

4.0 out of 5 stars Extreme DV changed my life

If it wasn't for this book, I don't think I would have ever worked up the courage to produce my first feature film. That was some years ago. Since that time, I moved to LA, produced several features and also had the opportunity to interview Rick on my filmmaking website. He is just as passionate in real life as he is in his writing. He wants filmmakers to push forward, stop asking permission, grab a camera and start making movies! And thanks to Rick, I agree! ––Jason Brubaker

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Bolt of Lightning

I read and re-read Rick Schmidt's earlier "Feature Filmmaking at Used Car Prices" book, and it always gave me a charge and inspiration when I needed it. His new book, [Extreme DV] is cut from the same cloth, with 21st-Century technologies grafted to big ideas. Great for the aspiring filmmaker who just needs to know that all things are possible.

"Emerald Cities" is one of the greatest, punk, apocalyptic, Political, Apolitical, daring, unbelievable indie films of all time (IMHO). And guess what? Auteur filmmaker Rick Schmidt captures all of the insanity we see on film in his book [NEW DARK AGES, How a Punk Movie EMERALD CITIES Got Its IMPROV]. Mr. Schmidt is a true, multi-media genius who needs to be recognized in his lifetime. Find the film - read the book - do it all. He never lets you down!! ––Barry R. Norman

What Rick Schmidt does, entertaining us with the miracles and synchronicities that always accompany bold, improvisational creativity, is a thrill. Anyone who has been part of a piece of theater, or a scene or two in a movie, or is writing or painting or dancing, just for the love of it, will soar when they read this. I think of Art as the Language of the Mystery, "the one that can never be solved," as writer Tom Robbins puts it. This book is pure Art. —Steve Gillard

<https://letterboxd.com/gdw/film/emerald-cities/>

Rick’s Substack

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