Customer Reviews

Writer's Guide to Hollywood Producers, Directors, and Screenwriter's Agents, 2002-2003: Who They Are! What They Want! And How to Win Them Over!

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is mostly hype and little delivery. The "inside" information can largely be found on the net and/or in better-written books by screenwriters of prominence. The agent and producer listings are vague and of little help. The book tells you almost nothing about "what they want" and virtually nothing about "how to win them over." All in all, it's poorly written and verbose and could have been cut down to a third of its length. Some of it is shockingly inappropriate, such as recommending to African-American writers where they can get good fried chicken in LA. In sum, it's yet another add-water-and-stir screenwriting book by somebody long on self-aggrandizement and short on Hollywood experience. I also find it quite suspicious that twelve five-star reviews here on ... were posted within a three-day period. Yeah, right.

There is some decent info, but the worst part is how outdated the numbers and addresses are! You go to call a company and they're gone! Same with addresses--I had many queries returned to me because the company was no longer there. So then, what's the point of the book if you can't get ahold of the people?

The truth is that if you want to make it in Hollywood, you have to come to Hollywood. You can't phone it in, and producers don't have the time or the inclination to track down scripts... they are sent 100 a week to choose from. This book is worse advice than you would get in one night of hanging out at any bar in LA that real, credited writers go to. I mean, look at the other credits this writer has... "your modeling career"... what the heck sort of background does this give so that the writer can speak to script writing, being that he has no script sales (verified by using Studio System, the entertainment industry database) or movies to his credit? The advice in here is plain, common sense, not insightful... and what the other poster said about telling Black writers where to get the best fried chicken in LA is just the sort of stuff you get. He spends three pages detailing how many brads to bind scripts with... and if you actaully talk to any agent, the truth is they don't care. In short, this book is worthless, written by someone with no experience in the subject.

What started as a reference book quickly became a workbook. I purchased my first copy in '99 and found it to be more than a guide to the desks of production companies, agents and directors. It also served as a map of encouraging steps. Soon after, I subscribed to Skip's newsletter and found that he was diligent in keeping the information current, and that's always been greatly appreciated. At that point in time I was new to the INZIDE community --- way back when Zach Tann was a mere webmunster. After a quick email session with Skip, I recommended to Zach that he get in touch and shortly there after, Zach indicated that hits to the website had nearly doubled.

Skip Press plays an active role in bringing writers to the gates of Hollyweird. He personalizes that role with monthly emails and communications with his subscribers. Certainly the information here can be found in a variety of places. (I don't think it would be a credible source of information if it couldn't be cross referenced.) But if you're like me, a person who would rather not be attached to a laptop during lunch or in those late evening hours of pre-sleep reading, this a wonderful 'take anywhere' work book that will encourage you to take the next step as well as pointing the way.

In the back of this book is a database that lists agents and producers. There are comments included with each agent/producer, which I found to be very useful. I would recommend this book for people who can't affford the Hollywood Creative directory. It's definitely a good starting point.

You'll find writing advice in the front. I can't really recommend those sections. It's not that they are bad, but there are much better resources for that information.

I think the book just tries to do too much. Still, it should be on any writer's bookshelf.

Let's face it. There are TONS of books on screenwriting, almost all of which promise the reader fame and fortune if they follow the steps inside the covers of the book.

But most of what's inside is rehashed from Syd Field, John Truby and L. Ron Hubbard.

While most authors offer little more than a twist on the three act structure, Skip Press gives the reader some real tools to build a Hollywood career. Since the best script in the world won't sell unless the right person reads it, Skip offers concrete advice for the screenwriter on who to contact and how to contact them.

And the reader isn't limited to the information within the book. Skip appears constantly at industry events lecturing or moderating panels with other authors. He also has a newsletter which constantly updates the information in his book. It's like buying software and getting the upgrades for free. I know this is a business for Skip, but I think he cares about his readers and wants them to succeed.

I highly recommend The Writer's Guide to any writer.

UP-FRONT DISCLOSURE: Since Skip's last book was published, I was so impressed with it (The Complete Idiot's Guide to Screenwriting), I started e-mailing Skip telling him how much I loved the book (it's the ONLY screenwriting book that doesn't take itself too seriously, and has lots of cartoons -- very important to me!), and since we have exchanged e-mails hundreds of times in a very short time, and I've even taken him and his lovely wife Debbie out to dinner once, in appreciation of his book.

And truthfully, I would never have bought the "Writer's Guide" if he hadn't told me to. As a multiple-award winning screenwriter, I thought a book like that would be "beneath" me. (I had also bought the "other" book on the market that purports to me similar.)

Okay, bottom line: I like the book.

A LOT.

It may already be making me money -- maybe a LOT of money.

You'll see WHY in a moment, but first I'll tell you how this book is FREE, if you want to do the math with me: The book is 20 bucks. Inside the book are names and addresses of agents, managers, and production companies, and more importantly, their E-MAIL addresses (Skip tells you up front to e-mail people instead of writing, phoning or faxing!).

If you were to MAIL a query letter about your script to 100 people (the LEAST amount you should do), the postage alone would cost you $34.00, the letterheads and envelopes about $6.00 (if you buy in bulk at Office Depot or Staples), and the typical inkjet printer cartridge costs about $20.00, out of which you can expect 200 pages worth of ink (divide that by 100 letters, and you have used up $10 worth of inkjet cartridge). Total cost: $50.00.

As I said before the book has E-MAIL addresses, so this afternoon, I decided to give it a try to a sampling of about 20 people (Saving all that postage, stationary, inkjet cartridge, etc.).

TWELVE MINUTES LATER: I had my first response from a prodco who wants to read my script. (This particular prodco had NEVER answered my letters!)

TWO HOURS LATER: I had SIX prodcos who want to read my script. (BTW, I do write a kickass query letter, IMHO, the BEST in the business!)

And I only sent out 20 e-mails. I may send more tomorrow -- and remember: As I write this, it's the 5th of July -- a lot of people are on vacation, so that number can only go up!

If that doesn't convince you, then maybe you SHOULDN'T buy this book.

I found this older version still to have some useful information. As we all know, Hollywood is forever changing and this should be considered before purchasing.

Skip Press's Writer's guide is an absolute must have. It goes far beyond other books on the market, by combining Skip's expertise on crashing the gates of Hollywood and his commentaries on the best agents and producers working today. He tells you what they're like, what they want, and how to get read by them. Skip lives the life - that's the difference - he knows nearly everyone, and everyone knows him. He uses his experience and success as signposts to guide the rest of us on how we can do it too!

If you've launched yourself on a screenwriting career, let this book be an essential part of it. As advertised, it really does offer tips and guides for a screenwriter to use to succeed in Hollywood.
The book is easy to read and, unlike many non-fiction, is fun and fascinating as well.
Skip Press shares with you, the reader, his phenomenal amount of inside information about the world we call Hollywood.