Customer Reviews

The Big Deal: Hollywood's Million-Dollar Spec Script Market

5 star:		(15)
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3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Big Deal helped me to become familiar with some of the big names in screenwriting marketing (i.e. Peter Scott), who can get MORE than a foot in the door in Hollywood. I learned about valuable screenwriting competitions, which allow a writer safe exposure to experienced "inside" readers. A MUST for all screenwriters!

What a jewel this book is! As screenwriter, just starting to hit my stride, I find Thom Taylor's book work's as a "how-to" as well as a "how-not-to" book. It is fascinating to read about the evolution of such films as, "While You Were Sleeping," "In the Line of Fire," "Seven," and others. The detailed stories of heartache and passion make for more then just a good-read. He makes you appreciate the process.

As a founder of a non-profit organization, I found a strong connection with first-time writers trying to get someone to recognize their exceptional work. (Jeff Maguire's 9 year struggle with "In the Line of Fire" had more ups and downs, twists and turns, than the film!)

This book makes you want to rush to your video store and rent the movies mentioned, to look at them again from a technical aspect.

With my goal of writing a winning spec, and keeping a non-profit organization going, I don't find much time for sleep. I gladly give up an hour a two a night just to read another chapter, another story of hollywood dreams.

I almost walked past this book. I'm glad I didn't.

Hundreds of aspiring writers flock to LA every month. Their goal: to make a name for themselves in an industry that is as mysterious as it is naked to the public.

Well, wonder no longer as Thom Taylor does a magnificent job of removing the shroud when he takes us on a tour of the inner workings of America's favorite industry. (Sorry dot.coms)

Mr. Taylor, an insider himself, brings his first hand experiences and personal stories to life on the page in a way that can only be described as motivational.

Aspiring artists, such as myself, should all give this book a read as it sheds some much needed light on the politics and behind-the-scene processes that make Hollywood work.

We as Americans are conditioned to place people of fame and notoriety on an invisible pedestal, yet by reading and understanding Thom's book we are able to see that these same people are no different from ourselves.

And to me, this is the greatest gift a book could ever give to an aspiring artist.

If you have ever chased a dream, thought about chasing a dream or even just had a dream, this is a book for you.

Take my word for it. It doesn't cost a lot of money and it's written so clearly that it's guaranteed not to take a lot of your time. Unless, of course, you do as I do and read it over and over and over and... You get the picture.

Now get the book.

My friend gave me this book as a gift, and I can't thank her enough. This book was like an adrenaline rush. The way Taylor weaves his behind-the-scenes tales held me for every page. Taylor inspires writers to press on with their craft, and paints an intriguing picture of the script sale world. For screenwriters looking for a great book that goes beyond the usual How To information, you have found it.

Thom has the access that only industry insiders have, and he openly shares it with the readers of his book. This access got him interviews with REAL players in the biz, who disclosed invaluable insights that outsiders would not have been privy to.

The reader is shown the odds against getting a script produced, and ALSO the potentially wonderful rewards of winning the "spec script lottery." Subjects include the role of agents, and the horrors of "development hell."

There's even a chart detailing the successful efforts of superstar and lesser-known screenwriters who prevailed with their spec scripts, and how much they were remunerated for efforts that did NOT result in produced works.

For less than what the average tank of gas costs, readers are provided a thorough and enjoyable education - WITHOUT having to move to Los Angeles!

This is an absolute must for anyone serious about writing for Hollywood, but not because it tells you how to land the million-dollar deal hinted at in the title. No, this book gives hope to those who live by the old industry adage 'good writing will be discovered.' In fact, this book warns against the pitfalls of doing this for money. Through all the amazing tales of double-dealing, poor decision making and strange coincidence that goes into these deals, this book reminds us that as a writer you must write what you love. Do that, and not only will you survive, but you will succeed. Should be required reading in film school.

As a screenwriter with four projects in development hell and still not able to quit my day job, The Big Deal reassured me that all the work and sacrifice can pay off. I've just finished my best spec script - romance. comedy. adventure - VERY castable. Reading The Big Deal I have a much better understanding of "the rules of engagement" and I'm now prepared to confidently take the offensive with my soon-to-be-hot project. Thank you for this timely book. I great read for anyone interested in knowing more about the Hollywood process and especially those trying to break down those tightly-guarded Hollywood doors.

I occasionally work with a rotating group of amateur screenwriters that are looking for inspiration, and examples of how screenplays are sold (or not sold) and examples of how screenplays are made (or not made) into movies. This is the book that I recommend for writers looking for these examples.

This book does not tell you how to write a quality screenplay, or even why a screenplay is successful or not (Thom states this is not the purpose of the book), but it does point out how random the Industry can be. Rock on, Thom!

This book isn't just fun to read. It's actually useful - a healthy, realistic slap in the face to anybody who thinks it's easy to sell a script. The stories the author tells are both frightening and hilarious. The old moguls like Mayer and Goldwyn were infamous, but today's crew make them look like Einsteins. I teach college film courses, and there's always at least one student in each class who wants to be a screenwriter in Hollywood. Now I can recommend a very readable book of real-life case histories - one that spells out to them - from lots of industry insiders' perspectives - what the (big) deal really is.

This book was recommened to me by two working pros in the industry. Taught me a lot, too, but as I've decided I want more creative control, I am moving to writing novels.

Book covers several hot scripts which later became successful movies . . . WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING, SEVEN, THE PLAYER, IN THE LINE OF FIRE, THE LAST ACTION HERO and WATERWORLD . . . each came in to the hands of powerful Hollywood people by different routes.

More importantly, readers get the opinions of inside screenwriters and producers about marketable scripts. Something you almost will never find in the basic novels on screenwriting by Syd Field or Michael Hague.

Get it, read it and, if you still want to do it, go to WORDPLAYER.COM, which is run by two working pros who graciously give out their information for free. Things you wouldn't know unless you knew writers in the industry or started working in it for several years.

Good luck!