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Summary: Hollywood Producers, Directors, Screenwriter's Agents 2002-3
Review: ...Skip tells it like it is in Hollywood, with humor and honesty. I was a total idiot about the reality of how to market screenplays, and after reading both his 1999 book and the 2002 one, I have had two agents, two option offers, and over fifty requests from producers to read my work. Not only is the book worth every penny and then some, I can't imagine anyone seriously pursuing a career as a screenwriter NOT purchasing it. Skip has been unbelieveably accessable to his readers online, and really cares about "us screenwriters." After you read the book, request to get on his monthly newsletter list for additional tips and tricks.
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Summary: A Friend in the Industry
Review: As a professional writer in South Africa on an award winning sitcom, amongst others, I have endured constant battles to even have my feature scripts read in Hollywood - to a large degree because of Tinsel Town's blinkered approach to writers who are not based in LA. It really is a business where WHO you know, far outweighs WHAT, and in this respect alone, Skip's book is an invaluable resource. Not only does it provide a wealth of interesting and useful information about the movie industry, it also includes a substantial list of contacts for those who feel they have, to the best of their abilities, mastered the craft of scriptwriting and are ready to start querying producers, agents and managers. Thanks to Skip's book, and his monthly newsletters, I am now repped by a WGA signatory agent and receive regular readings of scripts that before no-one would bother with. While I still haven't sold anything in Hollywood, my confidence has risen since purchasing this book and when I do sell, it'll be to a large degree due to Skip's assistance.
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Summary: Skip the Savior
Review: As with all of Skip's books he holds nothing back, provides endless information and valuable advice. Hollywood enjoys keeping the doors closed to the outside. Thanks to Skip Press the doors have been opened and as a result many who wouldn't otherwise have a chance, now do.
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Summary: Very helpful history (of sorts)
Review: Even though I don't have an agent yet and don't plan to submit directly to producers yet, I have found this book very useful for one big reason: It gives me a better sense of what the Hollywood community is like. What do they want? How do they want it? Etc.Even if I had an agent, I'd still read this book because it is almost an oral history of who's worked with whom (it's not spelled out explicitly), and what they've done in the past. The agent would not have the kind of time to explain all of the background of these people, so if you do read this book, you're doing serious homework. You cannot expect everyone to roll out the red carpet because you've written the most brilliant screenplay. YOU have to roll out the red carpet for these people, because let's face it, trying to get a movie made is backbreaking work. I should know: I've produced a feature which I wrote and directed. Having done that, I truly appreciate what producers and agents do for a living. This book is only a TOOL, but what a tool it is to have if you know how to use it. You can say the same about the computer: It's only a tool, but much more so if you know how to use it to YOUR advantage. Mr. Press is doing a huge service for many of those who want "in." I, for one, am grateful for this kind of information.
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Summary: A terrific resource!
Review: I love this book! Mr. Press has done a terrific job. I strongly recommend this book to anyone wanting to make a career as a screenwriter!
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Summary: Screenwriter: You need this book!
Review: I wrote a screenplay and didn't know what to do next. I bought a bunch of books such as "The Writer's Market" and they gave me a lot of data and good data. But, Skip Press' book gave me a close look at who actually does what. I like that. I don't want to send my romantic comedy to a company who makes horror movies or "X" movies. And, I wanted to have the names and addresses of the people I wanted to contact. He gave me that. (Sometimes the addresses were a little old.) Although other books are very good, I like this one because it gave me the most and the deepest. In certain places this book is just fun to read because it's really funny. But, with all the data, all the people that he personally interviewed, all the stuff... I just love this book. James Ossi
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Summary: 2002-2003 Writer's Guide to Hollywood Producers, Directors
Review: If you've launched yourself on a screenwriting career, let this book be an essential part of it. As advertised, it really does offer tips and guides for a screenwriter to use to succeed in Hollywood.
The book is easy to read and, unlike many non-fiction, is fun and fascinating as well.
Skip Press shares with you, the reader, his phenomenal amount of inside information about the world we call Hollywood.
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Summary: 2002-2003 Writer's Guide to Hollywood Producers, Directors
Review: If you've launched yourself on a screenwriting career, let this book be an essential part of it. As advertised, it really does offer tips and guides for a screenwriter to use to succeed in Hollywood.
The book is easy to read and, unlike many non-fiction, is fun and fascinating as well.
Skip Press shares with you, the reader, his phenomenal amount of inside information about the world we call Hollywood.
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Summary: This is THE book to have...
Review: In my pursuit to become a better writer, I've read a lot of books that gave me pieces to the puzzle; but this book is like the blueprint (and the strategy guide) to putting it together. If you are serious in your next step to make it and want to know the people who can help, or you are just thinking about getting into the industry and want some advice, then it IS worth your while to have this book and keep it for reference. It's not a long or boring read, and it's like someone is right with you, giving some advice that takes years to learn on your own. Skip rocks!
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Summary: It's not as expensive as some others
Review: In the back of this book is a database that lists agents and producers. There are comments included with each agent/producer, which I found to be very useful. I would recommend this book for people who can't affford the Hollywood Creative directory. It's definitely a good starting point. You'll find writing advice in the front. I can't really recommend those sections. It's not that they are bad, but there are much better resources for that information. I think the book just tries to do too much. Still, it should be on any writer's bookshelf.
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