The Writer Got Screwed (but didn't have to): Guide to the Legal and Business Practices of Writing for the Entertainment Industry (Paperback)

~ Brooke A. Wharton (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

You've got to love a lawyer who advises, "Don't make your lawyers rich." Entertainment lawyer Brooke A. Wharton provides an authoritative and, yes, entertaining primer for the beginning entertainment writer not just on the legal and business issues of writing for the industry, but also on how to get a career jump-started. The first section covers copyright, libel, and contracts, so that if you can't "control the exploitation of your scripts and written work ... at least [you'll] know when you're being screwed." The following section delineates the murky differences between the roles of agent, lawyer, and manager. The gist of it is that you don't need all three, but which ones you need depends on the type of person you are and the type of agents/lawyers/managers they are (industry insiders are not prone to job-title limitations). The next section has a series of interviews with writers, agents, and a producer, all of whom help to enlighten us about the various writing jobs the industry offers, from film to television to cyberspace. (If you're surprised to learn that "most writers working in the film industry do not make their living from the sale of a spec screenplay," I've got a good deal for you on some land in Florida.) Finally, there are lists of competitions, fellowships, internships, and agencies. And what about jump-starting that glamorous career? Contacts, baby. Contacts. And wouldn't you know, if you ain't got 'em, Wharton's got great advice on how to make 'em. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

If Wharton's book were a major motion picture, it would be destined to gross $300 million. Not only does Wharton, a Hollywood entertainment and copyright lawyer, demystify the legal mumbo jumbo of the entertainment industry, but she also answers questions like, "Do I have a contract if the agreement is written on a cocktail napkin?" and "Do all contracts have to be in writing?" An outstanding section called "Agents, Lawyers, and Managers" and sample forms and agreements are included as well. Whether you are writing for film, television, feature animation, or interactive gaming, the topics that concern you are covered here. As an added bonus, the author includes interviews with professionals in the field. A brilliantly researched section called "Resources and Tools" concludes the book. Every serious collection on motion-picture screenwriting should have this one on their shelves.?Marty Dean Evensvold, Magnolia P.L., Tex
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks (March 14, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062732366
• ISBN-13: 978-0062732361
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #74,566 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A WRITER'S BUSINESS PLAN BLUEPRINT FOR SUCCESS, July 8, 1999

By A Customer

I had the pleasure of the meeting the author, entertainment attorney Brooke A. Wharton with agent Jonathan Westover of The Gage Group. As a former paralegal, I am often questioned by friends and there are few books available that tell me something I don't already know about writer's business concerns. This book is one of them. More than just a guide, this book is a valuable and essential resource tool for every writer. Though the book focuses on the film industry, universal topics such as how to protect your work, contracts, release forms, managers, agents and lawyers - to query letters and competitions are covered in plain English and the information can easily be applied to any form of writing. For example, "pitching" is an art form similar to proposals, while rights and options are a key element in all news-related and fiction writing involving real people. Also, many agents handle both book manucripts and screenplays. If you're like me, your bookshelves are cluttered with writing industry books. Trust me, this one is worth it. Having this book is like having a lawyer at your fingertips. With information on networking, competitions, legal organizations and cyberscribing, thi book can serve as a writer's business plan blueprint. It was the best investment I made in my writing career this year. I honestly don't know of any writer who could not benefit from the information in this book.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Writer Got Screwed not out of print, visit its website , August 24, 2004

By	Buzz (LA) - See all my reviews

My name is Brooke A. Wharton and I am the author of "The Writer Got Screwed." I am writing a review of my own book as the only available method to report that "The Writer Got Screwed" is neither unavailable nor out of print, despite the Amazon description under the reviews of the book since 2002. I thank all of you who have positively reviewed the book and hope that "The Writer Got Screwed" continues to illuminate the mysteries of how one my obtain a career writing for the entertainment industry, and how one may protect themselves on the journey to/of this career. To all writers--- past, current, and future-- I wish you courage, persistence, and the best of luck to find your voice in words. Whatever you do KEEP WRITING! If any of you would like to ask a question regarding writing for the entertainment industry, visit "The Writer Got Screwed's" NEW WEBSITE at WRITINGFORFILM.com. Sincerely, Brooke A. Wharton P.S.--Yes, I gave my own book 5 stars--what's an author to do?

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT Advice - More Relevant in '04 than Ever!! Excellent! , August 16, 2004

By	P. Mullen "author_goldwater" (northern California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Writer Got Screwed (But Didn't Have To): A Guide to the Legal and Business Practices of Writing for the Entertainment Industry (Hardcover)

1 year & 3 complete reads. Those are my reading stats for Brooke Wharton's fantastic primer about writing for Hollywood. I initially read the book for an industry overview, and it was fantastic. Truly, there is ample useful information here that I have not seen in any other Hollywood How-To tome (I've read +20 of them). Subsequently, a book I wrote gained modest studio interest. I immediately returned to "The Writer Got Screwed" to understand my priorities and the dealmaking nuances. Again, it was an excellent resource and enabled me to ask the "right" questions. Finally, I used the book to draft an agreement with a screenwriting partner. It nailed our priorities/intentions, and withstood legal scrutiny. Bottom line: If you are writing for Hollywood, you have a helluva of a lot to worry about. Fretting about your deal shouldn't be one of them. Read the book. Then put it within easy-grab distance, because you'll be coming back to it! -- P.H. Mullen, author "Gold in the Water"