Producing for Hollywood: A Guide for Independent Producers [Paperback]

Don Gold (Author), Paul Mason (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2004

From first pitch to final cut, this unique overview chronicles the producer's journey through developing a winning prospectus, drafting a realistic time line and budget, raising money, the three phases of production, and distribution and marketing.

Budding filmmakers, television producers, directors, writers, and students get a crash course on the independent production scene in this riveting account of the business and its key players. Now revised to reflect the latest production trends in the entertainment industry, this book is packed with never-before-revealed secrets about the challenging and exciting role producers play in bringing a film or television pilot to the screen, told by two veteran, award-winning producers. Readers will learn what skills and traits they need to succeed as the mastermind behind an independent production, including insider tips on how to assemble and manage a talented ensemble of writers, directors, actors, and crew-members. The book also includes up-to-date contact information for film festivals and foreign distributors, as well as sample budgets, film partnership proposals, and other forms. Aspiring film and television artists will find the practical understanding and insight vital to success.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“...clear, insightful, and an invaluable roadmap for anyone who wants to take the leap into independent production...” -- Dean Hargrove, creator/producer/writer, Jake and the Fatman, Diagnosis Murder, Perry Mason films

“A Hollywood professional gives it to you straight-follow it and you’ll be on your way.” -- David L. Wolper, executive producer, Roots

“Messrs. Mason and Gold have fashioned a very readable and helpful introduction to producing for Hollywood...” -- Sid Sheinberg, former president, MCA; president, The Bubble Factory

“There’s no set corporate ladder in the world of Hollywood producing...these guys show you how to take the elevator...” -- Dick Donner, producer/director, Lethal Weapon, Superman, Maverick, Conspiracy Theory --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Inside Flap

Producing for Hollywood teaches readers the skills and traits they need to succeed as the mastermind behind an independent production, including insider tips on how to assemble and manage a talented ensemble of writers, directors, actors, and crew-members. From first pitch to final cut, this unique overview chronicles:
• Finding a script
• Developing the package and raising money
• The three phases of production
• How to work with writers, directors, actors, and crew
• Distribution and marketing

• Filming outside the U.S.
• The world of television Complete with an extensive appendix containing a sample film partnership proposal, a sample budget and cash flow, miscellaneous forms and information, and listings of film festivals and foreign distributors, this is an indispensable handbook for any seriously interested in producing independent film. "We have given you the tools you will need to become the independent producer you want to be," say Mason and Gold. "It is up to you how those tools are used. The motion picture business, like most art forms, is not stationary. It is ever-changing, always evolving. We know the road is difficult, because we have been there. We also know that dreams can come true, because we've been there, too." --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Allworth Press; 1 edition (June 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581153554
• ISBN-13: 978-1581153552
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,381,276 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very useful . . . but a bit dry, July 10, 2001

By 

"greg_bash" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Producing for Hollywood: A Guide for the Independent Producer (Paperback)

Detailed, methodical book about movie production. Great for a handbook/manual which I can refer to again and again. Quite useful and I highly recommend it. The appendices are simply brilliant (detailed pro forma financial statements, sample contracts and other essential docs).

The authors TRIED to spice up the text with an anecdote here and there, but it still reads somewhat like a textbook. Thus, buy the book if you're looking for real content, not juice.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Producing for hollywood, February 3, 2001

By 

"pamelabg" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Producing for Hollywood: A Guide for the Independent Producer (Paperback)

This is one of the best books I have read in the industry and I own MANY . It is direct straight to the point and informative . I highly recommend

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to understand!, February 10, 2011

By 

Gina Guia (N. Hollywood, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Producing for Hollywood: A Guide for Independent Producers (Paperback)

I am an aspiring indie producer and this is the first book I've read. I first rented it at the library and enjoyed reading it so much that I had to buy it, plus I didn't want to have to return it to the library without finishing it! The book is an easy read and has conversational tone. I highly recomment it!