fuel filter change

OK, I've never changed the fuel filter on my 89 Formula, and was wondering how hard a task this is. I've installed an electric fuel pump on a 78 TA years ago, but the 89's manual has me thinking that fuel is going to shoot out all over the place when I take the old filter off.
I don't remember venting the fuel pressure on the 78 when I made that change. Can I just take off the 89 filter with no worries or is there something I have to do first?