More Than A Movie: Ethics In Entertainment [Hardcover]

Miguel Valenti (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 31, 2000

In More Than a Movie, producer and entertainment attorney F. Miguel Valenti presents a compelling argument for the creative community to consider the consequences of its products, from movies to TV to the Internet. Valenti refrains from attacking the industries in which he himself works, but argues for reflection on the part of those who create media. More Than a Movie takes a pioneering first step toward outlining the issues in an insider fashion, and provides the tools to make ethical decisions about creating for the big and small screens. Edited by veteran media writer Les Brown and media consultant Laurie Trotta, More Than a Movie is written to stimulate debate in professional and academic arenas, and for the enjoyment of everyone who loves entertainment. The book contains a foreword by noted author and director Peter Bogdanovich, and commentary from producers Christine Vachon and David Brown. Mediascope, a Studio City, California-based media policy organization, commissioned the book upon discovering that ethical discussions seldom occur in film and television schools, although they are staples for studying law, medicine, business and journalism. Issues range from ethnic and gender stereotyping to excessive and gratuitous violence."It’s not about censorship -- it’s about having a responsibility for what we do," says author Valenti (no relation to MPAA’s Jack Valenti). "The book outlines how we are helping to shape societal values and individual behavior with the artistic choices we make." A team of writers from across the nation offer essays: Neil Hickey, editor, Columbia Journalism Review ; Annette Insdorf, Columbia University; Ted Pease, professor and columnist; Jack Pitman, Variety; Martin Koughan, Emmy Award-winning documentarian. The essays in More Than a Movie are interspersed with stories of actual ethical dilemmas told by noted screenwriters, directors and other practitioners in interviews by Manhattan writer Laura Blum.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is an important book about burning issues! I can foresee a sizeable college audience that ought to read More Than A Movie." -- Karl Bardosh, New York University professor of film production

"This is an important book about burning issues! I can forsee a sizeable college audience that ought to read More Than A Movie." -- _Karl Bardosh, New York University Film School

About the Author

F. Miguel Valenti is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker, talent manager, and entertainment attorney. He created and taught two film courses at Yale College, and has lectured and written on the entertainment industry. His most recent credits include Vig (aka The Money Kings) with Peter Falk, Lauren Holly, Timothy Hutton and Freddie Prinze, Jr., and the award-winning Master of the Manor.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Westview Press (October 31, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813390753
• ISBN-13: 978-0813390758
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #548,218 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource for filmmakers, students and academics, December 30, 2010

By 

Filmgal - See all my reviews

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This review is from: More Than A Movie: Ethics In Entertainment (Hardcover)

This is a great book -- it tackles extremely tough and controversial issues with finesse and nuance -- although designed for students, this would be a good read for filmmakers as well as academics.Good job Valenti!

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant study!, February 19, 2001

By 

M. R. BONNER (New York, New York USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: More Than A Movie: Ethics In Entertainment (Hardcover)

Anyone in the media and entertainment industry should study this book. Should be required reading for students of these fields as well. I also think it took some guts to write it!

1 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Lack of research, anybody?, May 23, 2007

By 

Joseph P. Pyne "shadowfest13" (HAGERSTOWN, MARYLAND United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: More Than A Movie: Ethics In Entertainment (Hardcover)

This book states that the Blair Witch was an actual legend here in Maryland.....when it most certainly was not, and is pure fiction. Do your research before you actually write a book and spread false information. There are many ghosts and legends in this region of the state, but there are no 'witch' legends of any sort in Burkittsville.