Customer Reviews

Development Girl : The Hollywood Virgin's Guide to Making It in the Movie Business

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(31)

 

 

I have a sneaking suspicion that all the "glowing" reviews posted here were planted by friends and relatives of the author. NO ONE who is even remotely familiar with the business of movie-making could read this and find it enjoyable or accurate. I am a "D-Girl" and have done fairly well in this business. I can assure you that it is not because I wear Prada and sleep with producers... it is because I have put in the 14 hour days, developed the right relationships and worked very, very hard. Sure, there are a lot of "perks" that come with working in Hollywood- but Davis fails to mention the premieres and parties are a very small part of an otherwise demanding, exhausting business. If Hadley Davis (who is no "big fish" in this town, I assure you) wants to present the Hollywood experience from the perspective of a self-absorbed trust fund baby, that's her right. I just hope that people who are looking for some real information about what it takes to survive in this business and thrive in development will look elsewhere. This book is awful!

As a "D-Girl," I can say with certainty that this book will not help anyone get into the business or handle the perils and pitfalls of working in Hollywood. An expensive wardrobe and toned body are appreciated in L.A., but they won't make or break your career. Period. No wonder Hadley Davis washed out of the business so quickly. It's clear that she has neither the smarts nor the savvy to deal with a development job over the long term. There are many other books which will give you

more insight into the business. This one is a huge waste of time, and the author has zero credibility.

The glossary in this book "defines" such arcane industry terms as: script, delivered, at the end of the day, manager, shop, hot, buzz, heat, the business, the industry, box office, schmooze, etc.

Her entire definition for "the business" is: "Is there any other?"

But "the industry" is so well covered by the media, most farmers in Iowa probably already know most of what's in this book. Nothing in this book a few episodes of ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT, or a week in front of E! won't explain.

WANNABE is a far more insightful true-life book on the life of an "industry" temp, and Rob Long's CONVERSATIONS WITH MY AGENT is a great inside look on sitcom writing.

Take away the "glossary of definitions" and Davis' book barely comes in at 150 pages. Less, since much of the book is filler and happy talk and blank pages and cutesy drawings.

If this book has rave reviews, it's because people like to see their name in print, and Davis name drops and praises no end.

Can we please all agree to a ceasefire! Yes, D-Girl is a useless book written by a pathetically unqualified woman, but this is Hollywood, folks. Since when is talent rewarded? Give her some credit for not letting an utterly unspectacular career stand in her way. Franky, I wish I had her flair for shameless exaggeration and opportunism. She parlayed a silly little assistant job into a stupid little book, then hitched her wagon to a writing partner with a fancy TV job. Such flagrant self-promotion is nothing to sneeze at.

I guess karma is a boomerang, though, since Davis got axed from the show a short time later once they realized who the real talent of the pair was. Still, I don't have a book deal, and I have a lot more to say than Ms. Davis. But I guess that's not saying much.

You won't get anything useful out of this... it's an empty, moronic book written by an apparent airhead who has nothing to offer other than glamour tips. Where's the real info? It's like reading two hundred pages of articles that weren't good enough to make COSMO. Whatever you do... STAY AWAY FROM THIS MESS!

Hey, I worked in the NY development community when the book proposal of D-Girl went out from an assistant agent at WMA. It was quickly faxed around to all the NY dvelopment and scouting office so we could all laugh at it. Shocker when Doubleday bought it, and even worse that some readers are now taking it seriously. I am 25 and female, but thank god I never got a job because of my Prada accessories or aerobicized ass. Hadley seems to forget that the average entry level salary is about $30,000, no overtime. And that the job is hard. Hadley also omits the fact that she was the assistant in a 2 person office that lost its studio deal, then went to a notoriously third rate company after months of unemployment. Development can be glamorous, but whenever I went to my studio's premieres, it was always as much work as anything else. People listen to you when you have things to say, not when you accessorize with brand names. I found that being informed, having an opinion on recent manuscripts and plays, and forming true friendships with my peers in the development community helped me more than any flirting or Rolex did. The sad fact is that the industry is shrinking, nowhere more so than in NY. If you want to have a long-term career in the industry, you have to garner respect: not for your wardrobe, but for your brain and your work ethic.

The reader in Massachusetts has a good point. What use is a how-to guide when the author is such a flagrantly dishonest individual? When I worked in "the biz" in New York, Hadley was unaffectionately known as "Hadajob" for her series of lateral, entry-level moves. Perhaps the reason the book is so empty and silly (although, I must confess, I actually couldn't get through it)is because the author never got beyond the cubicle. Instead of a chapter on something truly helpful, say advice on honing scriptnotes, we get tips on xeroxing. As they say in writing programs, write what you know.

I suggest Ms. Davis try her hand at fiction next. Not only does she clearly have an overactive imagination, but, judging from the number of positive reader reviews here, she is obviously quite prolific.

The reviewer who called this something like a peach on a hot summer day surely must be joking. I was curious what the truth of this book was about, since all the reviews here are either unbearably flattering, or all out negative. How come there was no middle ground? Since I don't know the author and therefore am neither a friend or foe, I decided to find out for myself. Sadly, I agree with the thumbs down set. I have a sneaking suspision that some of these overboard rave reviews are written by the author's friends. This a very slight book. And I regretfully agree that there is far too much in here that is vapid, shallow, and stupid.

Well, I can't say that I'm surprised that there are so many reviews... there's nothing like a trashy book on the business to get everyone hot and bothered. The book is really not worth much. Unfortunately, Hadley represents much of what's wrong with her generation. Like many of the young people who are attracted to Hollywood, she has no real talent or brains -- instead she relies on image, superficiality, and appearance. While there were some funny bits that rang true, there was no substance to the book -- it was a just series of silly remarks from the mouth of a silly girl. When I read Hadley's bio, I expected something more intelligent (I'm curious how much Mr. Davis gave to Penn to accept his daughter) but found that the book was really a waste of my time. It was also disappointing (but typical) that Hadley had friends and associates write rave reviews on the Amazon site. Hopefully, this book will disappear and Hadley will build a career based on substance instead of spin.

The title & cover photo say it all. It's almost like Ms. Davis is saying, 'Wheee! Lookit me. I'm a Hollywood Player, guys, and now you have to take back all those things you said about me being a ditz.' Holding a copy of Variety, sitting by some scripts, talking on the phone, wearing an expensive/stylish retro minimal outfit while flashing a smile that cost a lot and a hairstyle of equal value-sheesh!!!

Fashion tips replace insight and it doesn't merit being a how-to book of any kind.

Book tries to titilitate instead of teach & flops. NO tip is offered that is of value that you couldn't figure out yourself.

Oh well, she'll make someone a great trophy wife. She'd fill out a dress well & could chatter without making a meaningful point and look great...I mean she's yummy to look at, but nobody I'd take advice from.

Really though, this book insults your intelligence.