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Rating: 
Summary: This Book Is Outdated
Review: ...There are plenty of other books on Amazon that are muchmore useful than this one (and they're written by someone who has actually sold a screenplay). Pass on this paper weight book.
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Summary: A beacon of hope for a Canadian writer.
Review: I live in Ottawa, Canada and started writing sceenplays over ten years ago, took courses, wrote some scripts but had no real pragmatic advice as to how to market them. The most common advice was 'move to LA'. After reading Skip Press's book I am convinced at least now I'll get them read - that's all I can ever ask. To the book: Writers Guide is a very complete work. In its over 400 pages it includes every thing from the expected lists of agents, producers, director's etc, to the unexpected - but very useful - sections on using the Web to further your career. There are sections on software tools, computers as well as some insightful sections on the movie business and the writer's life. I know something about E-space and computers and Skip is on the mark in both these areas I always suspected there were ways to break through the invisible force field that separate the hopeful writer from those who might be interested in his or her work. Skip's book gives you not only hope that this can happen but pragmatic advice as to how this might be achieved. As to the writing style, its a very easy read, despite its length. The author uses humor, but doesn't try to be a comedian, relying instead on anecodotes, both personal and retold to entertain. The author comes across as a real human being who is willing to share tips and techniques with us writers, not some arrogant 'Art of the Deal' fame hound out to self-promote or crow about some financial success. Most sections of the book are standalone so it's easy to cherry-pick your way through, reading just those sections that interest you at the time. After all the discouraging words it's great to finally hear a different, more hopeful voice. I anxiously await the next edition.
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Summary: This Book Is Outdated
Review: I queried several of the agencies and companies listed in this book, and guess what? The post office returned many of the letters because the addresses were either wrong, outdated, or the recipient was no longer there. AMAZON SHOULD TAKE THIS BOOK OFF THE SITE; IT IS A RIP-OFF!
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Summary: Incompetent author
Review: It is my habit to keep silent when I read a very bad book--- I prefer letting the book speak for itself. As a writer myself, I dislike "lay" readers' criticism (though I seek and accept informed, knowledgable criticism). I was asked to read this book and give my opinion, based upon my dozen years writing and selling manuscripts.
Here is my opinion: IGNORE THIS BOOK. It was obsolete when it was published, and the "advice" within it is very poor. A writer who follows the advice is not, in my opinion, likely to sell much, if anything.
For example, publishers *LOATHE* writers who send them manuscripts unsolicited; they *DETEST* writers who telephone them without given leave to do so. When I was co-editor of a popular nature recreation magazine for nine months, it was common practice to put the senders of unsolicited material on the "ignore this person" list--- we do not have time, nor the inclination, to read every manuscript sent. As a writer, I learned a decade ago that sending unsolicited material will put the writer in the trash can, unread.
Publishers expect, and most demand, query letters these days.
My advice, as a successful and well-published author: reject this book, and run and and purchase a copy of "Writer's Market." Read the first five chapters--- it will tell you exactly what you need to know about breaking into the fields. "Writer's Market" costs $30 and is updated every year: it will give you an excellent idea on who is buying, what is selling, and how to join that market successfully. "Skip Press'" book does not.
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Summary: Writers Guide to Hollywood.
Review: Skip Press's book offers a valuable guide to the Hollywood maze. By offering information about the kind of projects agents, producers and directors have done in the past, along with their comments about what they're interested in, this book takes away some of the guess work out of who to submit a project to.
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Summary: Invaluable tool for anyone wanting to break into Hollywood!
Review: Skip's book, The Writer's Guide, has become the book that I carry around with me! I refer to it for everything, including lessons on etiquette when contacting agents or production companies. The response I have received for all of my scripts after heeding his advice in this book is overwhelming. Eight out of ten production companies have requested my screenplays, and I am certain this would have never happened without his book! He tailors each agent or producers needs specifically, so a writer can pin-point exactly who is right for a particular project. Anyone who wants to make contacts in this industry should not only read this book, but keep it with them throughout their career!
Rating:
Summary: Invaluable tool for anyone wanting to break into Hollywood!
Review: Skip's book, The Writer's Guide, has become the book that I carry around with me! I refer to it for everything, including lessons on etiquette when contacting agents or production companies. The response I have received for all of my scripts after heeding his advice in this book is overwhelming. Eight out of ten production companies have requested my screenplays, and I am certain this would have never happened without his book! He tailors each agent or producers needs specifically, so a writer can pin-point exactly who is right for a particular project. Anyone who wants to make contacts in this industry should not only read this book, but keep it with them throughout their career!
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Summary: The Story Goes Like This:
Review: The story goes like this: This book is informative, educational, and entertaining. Skip Press explains who's WHO amongst the Hollywood Game and what they want and don't want. There are lists of Agents, Producers, Writers, Directors, and so on... There are sections in the book that talk about writing for the electronic age such as the internet and writing software. A must read for all writers! I enjoyed reading this book and I think you will too. SCOTT O.
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Summary: This book Really HELPED me 100%
Review: The subtitle of this book is 'Now you have a friend in the industry', and it's true. This book is jammed with useful information, all written in a very conversational, entertaining and down-to-earth style. The book has everything from what producer's are looking for to surfing the net tips (Hollywood is very net savvy) to interviews with top players in the industry on their advice. The producer's and agent's listings all come with info on how and who to contact, as well as any inside bits of information the author is privvy to -which helps you zero in on who to contact as well as write intelligent queries. I learned a lot. And my screenplay is being looked at by several production companies in large part due to info I got from the book. Highly, highly recommended.
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