Opening the Doors to Hollywood: How to Sell Your Idea, Story, Screenplay, Manuscript [Paperback]

Carlos De Abreu (Author), Howard J. Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 1997

Finally! A step-by-step guide to the keys that unlock the doors to Hollywood.

Opening the Doors to Hollywood has all the information you'll ever need in order to tap into the $500 million spent yearly in Hollywood on acquiring and developing projects.

Discover how to:
Find a story
Rewrite it
Option it
Package it
Pitch it
Write it
Sell it
to film and television companies

Complete with a reference section that includes guilds/unions, libraries, sample contracts, seminars and workshops, trade publications, and writers' organizations, Opening the Doors to Hollywood is invaluable to any writer.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Finally! A step-by-step guide to the keys that unlock the doors to Hollywood.

Opening the Doors to Hollywood has all the information you'll ever need in order to tap into the $500 million spent yearly in Hollywood on acquiring and developing projects.

Discover how to:
Find a story
Rewrite it
Option it
Package it
Pitch it
Write it
Sell it
to film and television companies

Complete with a reference section that includes guilds/unions, libraries, sample contracts, seminars and workshops, trade publications, and writers' organizations, Opening the Doors to Hollywood is invaluable to any writer.

From the Back Cover

"Opening the Doors to Hollywood is a must-read for anyone seriously interested in breaking into the motion picture business."
--Richard D. Zanuck, producer, Jaws, The Sting, The Verdict, Cocoon, and Driving Miss Daisy

"It's the best compendium of hard, factual information I've seen in any single book on film . . . and I've seen a lot of them."
--Paul N. Lazurus, former VP of Columbia Pictures and lecturer of film at U.C. Santa Barbara

"Opening the Doors to Hollywood can make your dreams come true. . . . What a great asset!"
--Professor Val E. Limburg, Edward R. Murrow School of Communication, Washington State University

"An excellent resource for anyone who desires to succeed in Hollywood. An invaluable tool."
--Dov S-S Simens, owner, Hollywood Film Institute

"A feast! A banquet of useful information."
--Professor Richard Walter, UCLA Screenwriting Chairman

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press; 1 edition (October 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0609801104
• ISBN-13: 978-0609801109
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,547,347 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like Having a Friend in the Business., May 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Opening the Doors to Hollywood: How to Sell Your Idea, Story, Screenplay, Manuscript (Paperback)

The authors give a 'nuts and bolts' overview of the entertainment business, and generally what a novice can expect once they have taken that first step into the glittering city called Hollywood. The sage advice given is ample to give a newcomer enough information to lead to the proper Hollywood doors, rather than down blind alleys. The authors give great advice, the dreamer has to do the work. I would highly recommend.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A practical guide to the Hollywood system, July 19, 2005

By 

Emma Cordero "Bread Crumbs" (Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Opening the Doors to Hollywood: How to Sell Your Idea, Story, Screenplay, Manuscript (Paperback)

"Opening the doors to Hollywood" gives a great overview of the Hollywood system for any writer wanting to break in to the business.
It has a great "key" system which highlights useful websites and essential advice. It gives a good insight into the functioning of the major studios, independent production companies and television networks.
Overall, it's a very practical text which demystifies the Hollywood system and provides paths for new writers wanting to break in. "Opening the doors to Hollywood" is a useful and inspiring text.