All You Need to Know About the Movie and TV Business: Fifth Edition (Paperback)

by Scott Trost (Author), Gail Resnik (Author) "You might be tempted to skip over this chapter..." (more)
Key Phrases: Los Angeles, Got the Power, Breakdown Services (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
"Lights, cameras..." and if you get this book, very likely "Action!" This is a great resource book for anyone who wants to get into any aspect of the movie and TV business--especially in Los Angeles. Written by two prominent entertainment attorneys, it spells out the nature of jobs in the business, legal matters (such as protecting your creative work), and the Byzantine machinations behind movie and TV deals.

Review
A . . . breezy and intelligent guide to the ins and outs of the dealmaking process. I wish I had had this book when I started my career. -- Dirk W. van de Bunt, Senior Vice President, The Carsey-Werner Company

Shelley, Levinson Academy Award-winning Writer-Director When two prominent entertainment attorneys spell out clearly much of the "business" of show business, "Who could ask for anything more?" -- Review

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Fireside (February 6, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684800640
• ISBN-13: 978-0684800646
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #454,012 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly Everything You Need To Know, November 4, 1999

By A Customer

This is a phenomenal guide to the different positions in the film industry. From the small to the big screen, to the credits that roll by unnoticed and unregarded, this book covers every position with a description of each. There is a chapter on contracts. Another on directing. Another on acting. Another on producing. Virtually a plethora of information, and a must-must-read for anyone going into, or interested in television or movies.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Informative...sheds some light on how the system works, December 26, 2005

By	C. Hunt-Walker (Queens, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I would say that overall this book is an excellent reference for anyone thinking of getting into the Film and TV business. This book breaks down and provides samples of contracts, terms, negotiating points, how to break into the industry, and plenty of other information in regards to Hollywood. I'd say the "meat and potatoes" of the book lie in the last few chapters about negotiating and where the money goes, but it's great.

The only issues I have with this book is that 1) It's mostly directed towards actors. I am an up and coming producer/director, and even though much of the content was still relevant to my interests, the authors are primarily writing to inform actors. 2) The book is for the most part LA-centric. The authors make sure you know this from the book's foreward. I am a New Yorker!

I would definitely recommend this for anyone interested in an above the line position on a movie production.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An Actor's Guide to surviving Los Angeles, November 28, 2000

By A Customer

This book is definetly a beginning actor's guide. It focused primarily on the acting business for someone who is new to Hollywood. It was helpful in understanding some other roles in the movie business which are not as pretty,but overall I found it informative but lacking what it really takes to land a first job in TV or film. If you know nothing about the business...this book is for you.