Book Description
Tim Adler's revealing book looks at the skill, showmanship, and money needed to flourish in the world's toughest business through candid interviews with producers Michael Douglas, Dino De Laurentiis, Duncan Kenworthy, Andrew McDonald, Jeremy Thomas, Marin Karmitz, and Christine Vachon.
Customer Reviews:
Fills a gap in cinema technique books.......2006-04-08
The book fills a gap in cinema technique literature by knowledgeably detailing that producers impact creative as well as business aspects of films. The director worship/auteur theory crowd may disagree, but as "The Producers" points out films require many creative people to make (actors, writers, directors, producers, costume designers, etc), unlike a painting that is produced by one artist.
There are lots of interesting anecdotes. In a chapter about British producers Duncan Kenworthy and Andrew Macdonald, the book reveals that hit film "Notting Hill" went through seven pre-release research screenings in the U.S. where the producers observed that audiences laughed so long at some junctures that they missed the next funny line. So they had the film re-edited to fix this problem and improve the creative result. One of many fascinating tidbits is that 112 titles were considered for "Four Weddings and a Funeral" including: "The Pleasures of Merely Circulating" and "Lots of Weddings, Some Sex and a Cup of Tea."
The book goes deeper than mere production. For example, Michael Douglas ("One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest") spends on average 5 years developing properties before they actually are filmed.
Producers present many depreciating descriptions of their jobs such as being similar to hotel management dealing with a revolving bunch of oddballs, always dealing with unexpected negatives during production, production is just the visible tip of a big iceberg that is a film and producing is akin to standing around in mud all day. The author injects humor nicely musing, for example, drought stricken regions should hire a film production to shoot outdoors because whenever a film crew arrives it seems to start raining.
The text has an obvious British in texture (petrol stations, lorries referring to trucks, etc.) and the sensibility seems British-European in my view (I'm an American who has covered movies globally as a business journalist/analyst for 25 years). END
Customer Reviews:
Outstanding research.......1999-03-06
This is an extremely well researched book regarding the African-American film industry, which is a very neglected area of the business. I highly recommend it.
informative and smart.......1998-06-14
This book chronicles the evolution of Black Film and Black people in films from the racist depiction of Blacks in Griffith's Birth of a Nation through the Black Diaspora to Spike Lee.
A great read
Amazon.com
Ex-Columbia Pictures chief David Puttnam was knighted for making the world safe for British film with hits like Chariots of Fire and The Killing Fields. If any other ex-studio chief wrote a book called Movies and Money, it would be essentially similar to Roger Corman's How I Made a Hundred Movies in Hollywood and Never Lost a Dime.
But Puttnam's book grew from his Oxford lectures--it's a scholarly history of the struggle for cultural supremacy between the film establishments of Hollywood and Europe. L.A. won the battle from the first shot. Despite massive totalitarian-government support, Russians shunned the masterpiece The Battleship Potemkin in favor of Douglas Fairbanks's Robin Hood. Today, 80 to 90 percent of Europe's filmgoers go to U.S. films, and Hollywood's influence is everywhere. Warner Bros. offered Puttnam extra money to reshoot Local Hero with a happy ending that would have destroyed its pro-pastoral, anticommercial message. He refused--but he admits it would've earned $20 million more with the Hollywood ending. The Crying Game was a flop in England, then a U.S. smash, thanks to superior Yank marketing. Four Weddings and a Funeral was made in England, cannily released Stateside, then repatriated as "America's No. 1 Smash Hit!"
Puttnam yearns to see European film get on its feet and fight back with hits of its own, supported with more savvy marketing. He's not just a film professional and historian. He's a local hero. --Tim Appelo
Book Description
"A fascinating history."--Time Out New York
The acclaimed producer of such classic films as
Chariots of Fire and
The Killing Fields, and the only European ever to head a major Hollywood studio, former Columbia Pictures chief David Puttnam has written a fascinating behind-the-scenes history of the movie business and of the unique and frequently unholy alliance between commerce and art that underpins it.
Puttnam's story moves from the early days of cinema and the rivalry between Edison and the Lumiere brothers, through the rise of the studio system, and up to the present day, with European filmmakers and politicians struggling to protect their industry and even their cultural identity from a triumphant and all-devouring Hollywood. In the process he introduces a host of colorful characters: from Goldwyn and Zanuck to Eisner and Ovitz.
Movies and Money is a groundbreaking book that will change our understanding of the movie business.
"Excellent.... A book so well written that it can easily be read at a single sitting."--San Francisco Chronicle and Examiner
"Puttnam has a dry sense of humor, and most of his book is jammed with astonishing anecdotes and seething portraits of the personalities of film history."-- Newsday
Customer Reviews:
Excellent History.......2006-02-21
Excellent book, with a fantastic, well-told industry history section. Some of the tone is a bit interesting - David Puttnam was head of Columbia Pictures, which is interesting to take into account when absorbing his views.
Some of the details of the late history are off, particularly those surrounding the GATT talks which led to such a violent French-US disagreement, but overall the book should be required reading for anyone trying to understand the industry, film policy, and what makes Hollywood tick at a high level.
Excellent look at film...but not for the casual filmgoer.......2005-11-09
This book does not have scandalous stories about stars and troubled film productions...if you're looking for those types of stories William Goldman and Peters Bart & Gruber have excellent titles that will give you insite into film and satisfy your pop culture curiosities.
What Puttnam achieves is a detailed history of film that shows the struggle that filmmakers on both sides of the Atlantic attaining a balance between art and commodity. Puttnam offers great insights and introduction to film's early years. Coming from the unique view of a European who became a Hollywood insider, he's able to interpret history in a way that few others saw.
Casual readers should look elsewhere, but people interested in the business of film and it's history on both sides of the Atlantic will find this book interesting and accessible.
Acidic analysis of the European movie industry........2002-10-03
For insider David Puttnam, Europe who invented the movie, lost the movie industry battle due to external (two World Wars), but mostly internal causes:
1. Europe, unlike the US, didn't see the movie industry as a totality (control of production + distribution + theatres)
2. Europe didn't want to understand the market (the consumer demand) and the power of marketing.
3. the suicidal movie theorization by the left. As an example, J.L. Godard claimed that his struggle against the commercial imperialism of Hollywood was analogous to the eternal struggle of the working class against monopoly capitalism. Yet he was forced to acknowledge that 'workers don't come to see my films'.
4. the vanity of the European film critics, who supported selfregarding movies, while the public went out to see US films.
5. social causes: Hollywood defied the wishes of the US cultural elite and made 'popular' movies.
The movie industry in Europe has still not fundamentally changed since the publication of the book, but all inter- and subventions of the EEC commission will be wasted money, unless there is a big change of mind.
The author gives implicitly some obvious measures for a revival:
- take into account the consumer market.
- a big part of the movie budget should be spent on marketing and promotion.
More, there should be coproductions with TV channels and movie theatre companies on a European, or better, world scale. The market of each European country is not big enough to create a profitable movie industry.
European big budget movies should be shot in English.
It is easier said than done, but CANAL+ for instance has understood the challenge.
Puttnam's book is absolutely not boring, but a must read for every European film maker.
Movies from an International and Financial Vantage Point.......2001-02-23
David Puttnam (with Neil Watson) has written a book that has a different, and often very personal, perspective from the usual film histories. It is a broader, more international examination into the reasons for Hollywood gaining world wide dominance of the film industry. This is not about movies per se but is, instead, about the business and politics of making movies. It includes many anecdotes, told in a basically chronological format, from the beginning of the industry to the recent times. Much of this information was new to me as most film histories concentrate on the movies and the men and women who create these works. This one concentrates on the men who finance these works. An interesting book for those interested in the deals behind the deals that make the movies we love.
Boring film history.......1998-08-15
David Puttnam has written a sometimes very boring book about the so called war between Europe and US. He tells the story by going through the history of film cronologically, and leave much to be desired for.
Average customer rating:
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American Film Now the People, the Power, the Money, the Movies
James Monaco
Manufacturer: New York Zoetrope
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 General
| Movies
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Performing Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
| Dance
| General
| Reference
| Theater
General
| Foreign Languages
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0918432642 |
Average customer rating:
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How to make money writing for the movies,
Robert Kanigher
Manufacturer: Cambridge House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
General
| Theater
| Performing Arts
| Arts & Photography
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| Books
Screenplays
| Movies
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General
| Foreign Languages
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ASIN: B0007EAP3Q |
Book Description
As Tiro informs students about the music, musicians, history, and social forces that have shaped jazz, he teaches students the aural skills that lead to a true understanding of jazz. This text includes 50 musical examples that are detailed in the text and included on the accompanying 3-CD set.
Customer Reviews:
unhappy a CD that is supposed to come with this book didn't.......2007-03-19
The text of this book is keyed to a CD that did not accompany this book, which was bought as "new"!! Please ship this CD to my address, as it was included in the price I paid.
Book Description
Here is another collection drawn from Martin Gardner’s ‘Mathematical Games’ column in Scientific American. Each chapter explores a different theme, for example fractals, surreal numbers, the sculptures of Berrocal, tiling the plane, Ramsey theory and code breaking, all combining to create a rich diet of recreational mathematics. Most chapters can be readily understood by the uninitiated: at each turn there are challenges for the reader and a wealth of references for further reading. Gardner’s clarity of style and ability systematically to simplify the complex make this an excellent vehicle in which to start or continue an interest in recreational mathematics.
Book Description
Be a pro in no time …
Ideal for bookkeepers, accounting clerks, and small business owners, this practical guide goes beyond general accounting principles to teach readers how to prepare and manage their companies' books. In this new edition, readers will find completely revised and updated information on handling sales and services, and updated tax information reflecting changes in the tax code.
• Perfect for the many practicing accountants who are unlicensed bookkeepers, accounting clerks, and small business owners
• There are 3.1 million accountants, bookkeepers, and accounting clerks in the U.S.
• There are an estimated 23 million small business owners in the U.S., many of whom manage their own books
Customer Reviews:
Very good guide to accounting.......2006-02-10
I read it after I read the Complete Idiot's Guide, so I might be overrating it slightly, but it answered almost all of my questions. I would recommend getting both books.
They're ideal for a small business owner who wants to save a little money--it's a lot cheaper to do the books yourself and have a professional accountant review your work than it is to hire one full time.
Excellent Learning Tool.......2005-04-06
The best thing about this book is that the lessons are written clearly making it easy to absorb the information and learn. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand the basics of accounting. It is a must-read for those setting up a computerized accounting system.
Too Much Gimmick, Not Much Substance.......2005-03-30
The theory of this book is that you can get through 1 chapter (concept) in one hour, then you take a quiz when your hour's up to make sure you got the concepts.
The quizes are poorly worded. Any question that an "all-of-the-above" option, was ALWAYS "all-of-the-above". Worse than that is that the answers were in the back of the book with NO EXPLAINATION. Please at least tell me why "b" was the correct answer.
I think the book brushed over some of the essential accounting concepts, while focusing on less important topics.
I wish I would have never written in this book, but I guess I'm stuck with it now...
Great concept. Confusing execution........2004-12-02
This book has a great idea, and it's exactly what I needed, a crash course on accounting. It's nicely broken up into brief lessons, so you can digest small portions.
Unfortunately, while the examples are generally clear and easy to understand, this text too often showed without telling. You need to follow the authors' logical leaps and work backwards to guess some of these accounting concepts.
Worse, in several examples, the ledgers have typos, with numbers in the wrong columns, along with incorrect arithmetic. I hope the next edition will be better proofread. Aside from losing credibility for the book, these errors made it even harder to follow.
With so many accounting crash course books on the market, next time, I would investigate other titles.
Great Book!.......2004-01-26
I have been looking for a book like this for years. It explains the basic concepts of accounting in plain english. The page layout makes it very easy to read, so you won't fall as sleep. This book is a keeper!
Average customer rating:
- Wish I had read this book sooner!
- Wish I had read this book sooner
- Sales pitch more than advices good for consumers
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Alpha Teach Yourself Personal Finance in 24 Hours
Janet Bigham Bernstel , and
Lea Saslav
Manufacturer: Alpha
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Public Finance
| Economics
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Accounting
| Industries & Professions
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Personal Finance
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Accounting
| Accounting & Finance
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Finance
| Accounting & Finance
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0028636198 |
Book Description
You realize you have to manage your money. But often you don't decide to do something about it until you want to buy a house or new car. Sams Teach Yourself Personal Finance in 24 Hours provides a comfortable, straightforward approach for yor to find the best ways to manage your finances. From budgeting for a purchase to avoiding major problems, this book covers today's popular personal finance solutions--and tells why some are not always such a good idea. The authors give you the inside information on bankruptcy, home equity loans, and credit card debt. Content also includes:
Customer Reviews:
Wish I had read this book sooner!.......2002-09-30
Teach Yourself Personal Finance in 24 Hours contains everything you need to know about getting yourself financially fit. It's interesting, well-written and easy to read, and gives you the tools to start taking control and managing your money right now, no matter what kind of financial shape you're in. Best of all, it gives a hopeful outlook for a brighter future, even to those who feel they're way behind, like me. This book makes a great gift for yourself or just about anyone on your gift list--I want to give a copy to all my friends and relatives!
Wish I had read this book sooner.......2002-09-30
Teach Yourself Personal Finance in 24 Hours contains everything you need to know about getting yourself financially fit. It's interesting, well-written and easy to read, and gives you the tools to start taking control and managing your money right now, no matter what kind of financial shape you're in. Best of all, it gives a hopeful outlook for a brighter future, even to those who feel they're way behind, like me! This book makes a great gift for yourself or just about anyone you care about--I want to give a copy to all my friends and relatives.
Sales pitch more than advices good for consumers.......2001-03-10
I bought the book to start learning about Personal Finance. I found the book not very satisfactory because it only reiterates information that you can get from any financial product marketing material which contains more sales pitch then facts important for consumers.
Customer Reviews:
Great stuff to learn in here!.......2001-10-20
This book is so helpful and wonderful. I bought two and gave one to my daughter who has just gotten married and she loved it too. A must-read for people to need to get straight with their financial planning!
24 hours to learn financil planning!.......2001-10-14
This book completely lives up to it's 24 hours expectation. After reading it, I feel as though I know exactly what to do with my financial plans. This book has intelligent information with quite a touch of humor to go along with it. I think everyone planning for their future whether they are old or young should definitely read this book. Take it from me, it is incredibly helpful!
Average customer rating:
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Alpha Teach Yourself Bookkeeping in 24 Hours
Carol Costa
Manufacturer: Alpha
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
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General
| Accounting
| Industries & Professions
| Business & Investing
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Management
| Management & Leadership
| Business & Investing
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General
| Accounting
| Accounting & Finance
| Professional & Technical
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ASIN: 1592576958
Release Date: 2008-01-02 |
Average customer rating:
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Teach Yourself Personal Finance in 24 Hours
Alpha Books
Manufacturer: Wiley Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Business & Investing
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General
| Accounting
| Industries & Professions
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General
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General
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ASIN: 0028629728 |
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- The Ultimate Marilyn: All the Facts, Fantasies, and Scandals about the World's Best-Known Sex Symbol
- The Wages of Sin: Censorship and the Fallen Woman Film, 1928-1942
- Three Philosophical Filmmakers: Hitchcock, Welles, Renoir
- Tiki Art Now!: A Volcanic Eruption of Art
- TV-a-Go-Go: Rock on TV from American Bandstand to American Idol
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Produced By . . .: Balancing Art And Business In The Movie Industry
Film & Video Budgets, Revised and Updated Edition
Tell Me How You Love the Picture: A Hollywood Life
