9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best book ever written on breaking into TV as a writer., July 17, 2000
This review is from: A Friend in the Business: Honest Advice for Anyone Trying to Break into Television Writing (Paperback)
I teach television writing and screenwriting classes at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts in the Film & Television Department and Department of Dramatic Writing. I have never in 12 years made a book on TV writing required reading for my students because there was nothing good enough out there. That has all changed with A Friend In The Business. Masello chronicles his upstream journey in the strange, funny and sometimes dangerous waters of network television in a style that is both hilarious and sobering. He talks the talk and walks the walk. Any writer who has worked in TV will nod his or her head in painful and comical recognition. I have written for television, worked as a staff writer on two shows and had 3 pilot deals. This is important to know because besides teaching this stuff I've lived it. There is no book about breaking into television writing out there that even comes close to A Friend In The Business. It's truthful, entertaining and will make anyone who wants to know what it's like to break in--and more important--stay in the business. I loved it.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A pleasant read, but something was slightly "off", September 24, 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: A Friend in the Business: Honest Advice for Anyone Trying to Break into Television Writing (Paperback)
I enjoyed reading this book, and found it interesting to hear the trench stories of one man's journey into Hollywood. However, there is something about the book that I didn't like, and I can't quite pinpoint it....there is a feel that the author was not as successful in Hollywood as he wanted to be, and decided to at least leverage his limited experiences by writing a book about them (versus some books out there that seem to be driven by a true desire to impart hard-earned wisdom), while settling some scores in the process. Kind of like, "I'll show them...." (more subtle, but still there).
I'll give one example, and perhaps it's not the best one. He mentions that he was always hip-pocketed by the agencies, not signed, and tells us that info as if that is a good thing, like phew, he beat the system. OK, yes, being hip-pocketed is better than nothing at all, especially at the beginning, but let's face it, if an agent never wants to sign you, you did not pull one over on them. It just felt like he was trying to justify a lot of this kind of stuff. There are so many books out there that after reading, I am dying to have lunch with the author to meet him in person....whereas here, I found myself not having that experience at all.
But, the book was funny and had some good intro-to-the-business info.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Read, February 13, 2001
This review is from: A Friend in the Business: Honest Advice for Anyone Trying to Break into Television Writing (Paperback)
I work in a college career services office & bought this book for our resource center. It arrived last week and has not yet made it onto the shelf--because I can't put it down! Many career books are dry "how to" manuals which may have valuable information, but lose the readers' interest before it can be imparted. Not this book. Mr. Masello's engaging, witty writing keeps the reader riveted. And while being entertained, you also learn a good deal about succeeding in TV writing. (Which, granted, appears to be much like its cousins in radio/movies etc...somewhat dependent upon luck, timing and perseverence).
At any rate, if you are contemplating a career in TV writing or looking for a good book to add to your career library, this is a must have. Note: I see he has another coming out in April on getting books published...I plan to order it as well!
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