Motion Picture Mega-Industry, The: (Part of the Allyn & Bacon Series in Mass Communication)

Book Description

What are the driving forces behind the film industry? How does the creative side gel with the business side? This book explores this fascinating industry in detail and answers the questions never-before answered. The Motion Picture Mega Industry is an in-depth exploration of the movie industry from the early developments to its current multi-billion dollar influence on today's society. Barry Litman has produced a truly unique text drawing on contributions from some of the top scholars in the field. The book examines the business of motion pictures; how the industry is structured; what ethics and morals are commonplace; the current issues that are affecting the motion picture industry today. It includes explicit chapters on conglomerates, mergers, copyright, censorship, and more. Movie industry buffs. Part of The Allyn & Bacon Series in Mass Communication

The Entertainment Economy: How Mega-Media Forces Are Transforming Our Lives

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Coming for your Young
Unique and Compelling Perspectives
Highly Recommended!
I'll have to read it again, and again, and again
Skip it

The Entertainment Economy: How Mega-Media Forces Are Transforming Our Lives
Michael Wolf
Manufacturer: Crown Business
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0812930428
Release Date: 1999-03-09

Amazon.com

Michael J. Wolf says that all businesses--even banks and supermarkets--will increasingly need to be entertaining to thrive. In The Entertainment Economy, Wolf, one of the media industry's top strategists, demonstrates how business is becoming synonymous with entertainment--a trend that is exploding because of the Internet. Although no substitute for quality, a company's "E-Factor" is critical in establishing brand and attracting fickle consumers, he writes. "We have come to expect that we will be entertained all the time," Wolf says. "Products and brands that deliver on this expectation are succeeding. Products that do not will disappear." Entertainment is becoming a big part of some industries you might not think of in this regard. For example, CNBC, a business-news cable station, is a hit because it treats the stock market like entertainment, Wolf writes. Tommy Hilfiger, a clothing retailer, became a "cool brand" by promoting rock stars and other celebrities. No merchant can escape the impact of entertainment--especially on the Internet. An online business must grab people or it will perish. When businesses stake out a position on the Web, they can't just provide online ordering. They must also feature compelling "entertainment content" to win customers. The author, a consultant for Viacom, Newscorp, and other media giants, sprinkles his book with inside stories about Ted Turner, Barry Diller, and Steven Spielberg. This book is for business owners, advertising pros, and people interested in a different take on what's driving the economy. --Dan Ring

Book Description

Every so often an author explains our culture in such a new and original way that from that day on we see the world around us in a new light. From Understanding Media by Marshall McLuhan through Nicholas Negroponte's Being Digital. the books that have shown us the clearest vision of the future have been those that recognize the central role of mass media.

In The Entertainment Economy, Michael J. Wolf, the industry's most in-demand strategist, demonstrates that media and entertainment have moved beyond culture to become the driving wheel of the global economy.  From New York to New Delhi, from London to Lagos, from Singapore to Seattle, every business is locked in the same battle for consumer attention that movie producers and television programmers deal with on a daily basis.  Consumer businesses just like entertainment businesses have to turn to content for the competitive edge.  As adviser to companies like MTV, Paramount, Hearst, NBC, Universal, News Corporation, Bertelsmann and the NBA, Wolf is known by industry insiders as the moguls' secret weapon.  In clear, brash prose, full of real-life examples, Wolf shows how tomorrow's successful business person will have to act like a mogul in a global economy defined by hits and blockbusters.

From MTV to Ford Motor Company, from Tommy Hilfiger to Martha Stewart, from Citibank to Amazon.com, from Stephen Spielberg to Richard Branson, Wolf shares the insights gained through his unique perspective as the founder of the world's largest media consulting practice, leaving no doubt that the watchwords for all consumer businesses in the 21st century are truly, "There's no business without show business."  Written with equal degrees of business and pop culture savvy, The Entertainment Economy is a book for everyone.

Customer Reviews:

Coming for your Young.......2002-10-06

This book is curious. The author has some true insight into the media industry, showing how pervasive and invasive it has become, yet unaware of anything disturbing in these trends. If you're an executive looking to stay a drone and turn your own children into entertainment slaves, dive right in. Your Nike commercials can only get better. ... look at this book and wonder why these things are happening, and what you can do to make it better. But don't forget it is happening, and these things can't be magically whisked away by living in the forest. For it will come for you eventually. Use this book to steer it in a kinder direction.

...

Unique and Compelling Perspectives.......2001-05-13

According to Michael J. Wolf, "Locally, globally, internationally, we are living in an entertainment economy." In fact, that is the title of his new book which consists of ten chapters which proceed from an introduction to the "entertainment zone" to a "view from tomorrow." In between, Wolf carefully examines a full-range of business situations in which entertainment plays an increasingly more important role. For example, he focuses on the fun-focused customer, the e-factor ("there's no business without show business"), the battle for attention, the struggle for world domination, the genesis of a phenomenon (ie whatever redefines "success"), what he calls "enteractivity", brand empires, and the role of sponsors.

Wolf observes that "Within its home turf....entertainment is in many parts of the world the fastest-growing sector of the economy. This is as true of developing countries as it is of mature ones. But of even wider impact is the way entertainment content has become a key differentiator in virtually every aspect of the broader consumer economy." Moreover, "...where America's entertainment economy goes, the rest of the world is not far behind." Although he does not state it explicitly, Wolf views "entertainment" from two quite separate perspectives: entertainment as a commodity (films, videos, radio and television, concerts, athletic events, etc.) and entertainment as a strategy (eg to create a sense of being "entertained"). As Wolf explains, not all commodities are inherently entertaining but it is possible to nourish the appeal of virtually all commodities by use of appropriate entertainment principles.

In this respect, Wolf seems to agree with Schmitt & Simonson, co-authors of Marketing Aesthetics. Consider Williams-Sonoma which attracts customers to its upscale stores with the aromas of fresh-baked bread and fresh-brewed coffee, produced on-site by appliances it sells. Schmitt & Simonson assert that marketing is most effective when it appeals to most (if not all) of the five senses. Wolf would no doubt confirm that the nature and extent of that appeal will usually determine the nature and extent of a consumer's sense of being "entertained."

Every retail merchandiser should ask, "Who buys what we sell? Which images will be most appealing? Window displays, posters, counter-top promotions? Which aromas will be most appealing? Gourmet coffee, popcorn, chestnuts roasting on an open fire? Which sounds will be most appealing? Bach, Hole, Dwight Yoakam, Celine Dion?"

Wolf characterizes Ted Turner, Michael Eisner, Sumner Redstone, and Rupert Murdoch as "the conquistadors of modern business." Why? Because they and their associates understand so well that entertainment (both as a commodity and as an influence) has an almost unlimited global audience. To Wolf's credit, everything he says is directly relevant to almost any organization, regardless of size of nature. If an organization does not understand The Entertainment Economy, it probably doesn't have much of a chance of survival. Those interested in this book are urged to consider, also, The Experience Economy and Experiential Marketing.

Highly Recommended!.......2001-03-22

Media and entertainment consultant Michael J. Wolf presents a pop-sociology look at how the entertainment industry is becoming a driving force in everyday life, from the news to consumer products and financial industries. He describes mega-deals that have created integrated entertainment giants spread through multiple media platforms. His book illustrates the newly competitive nature of entertainment as consumers find more choices than ever. He combines a summary of trends with many examples illustrating his major points. We at getAbstract recommend this thoughtful analysis, which is written in a lively style to have broad appeal not only to executives and managers, but also to the general public and to academics studying popular culture. And if you want to know why there are klieg lights at the supermarket and clowns in the department store, here's your answer.

I'll have to read it again, and again, and again.......2001-02-17

No wonder the author adores Orson Wells' Master CK. That is a movie that every time I see it, something new comes out of it. You will have the same impression with this book. Ease to read. Great companion. It explains how corporations have to get a E-strategy in order to win and at the end it gives a lecture that should be read by all Moguls in the industry (including Jack, Murdoch, Gates, etc) and MBA students. Long life for the entertainment consultants! They are not in business to innovate and create. They are here to tell the Top Decision Makers what other Top Decision Makers have done to survive and succeed.

Skip it.......2001-01-12

This book is not worth your time or money. "The Entertainment Economy" is a Fast Company article expanded to 300 pages. If you've been awake and breathing recently, you know that the entertainment component of almost anything is becoming increasingly important. Providing an experience, as opposed to simply a product is becoming more important. A hit movie can open the doors to sell complimentary merchandise, which may end up being more lucrative than the movie itself. OK, so why does it take 300 pages to explain this? It doesn't, just read the reviews people have written, and keep you eyes open when you go out in the world.

So much sizzle surrounding this book, from the glittery cover to Judy McGrath at MTV.."I laughed, I cried, I took notes" Come on, get real, a box of Kleenex would be a better investment! I've never given a book one star in the past, but trust me, this is all it deserves.

Book Description

Every day a dog named Jack sends his family on a treasure hunt-for their own stuff! What missing thing will help Mommy hang up the picture? What will help keep Jenny's feet dry when she wants to play in the rain? Where is the baby's diaper? And why is Jack always standing outside closets waiting for someone to look inside? Hmm-maybe he wants you to open the doors and find out!

An endearing family and their quirky pet provide a lively guessing-game turn-the-flap story for children who like silliness, surprises, and fun.

Customer Reviews:

No, no Jack!.......2003-12-31

My 2 year old daughter loves this book. She loves predicting what Jack has hidden in the closet and then lifting the flap to see. The illustrations are charming and she continually discovers more in each picture.

No, No, Jack Is Yes, Yes, for Kids!.......2002-09-02

No,No,Jack is definitely a 5 star hit with our five year old grandaughter, Shannon. We have lots of children's books that she likes but she always goes first to No, No, Jack and it's a must for bedtime reading. When she brings her little friends, it's the first thing she shows them at Grandma's house. I suspect the appeal lies in the fact that little kids like the idea of hiding things, including themselves. Also, after a couple of readings, they feel as though they can read it themselves. I hope we will see many more books from Mr. Hirsch.

Concerns and Joys of Owning Jack.......2002-08-03

Jack, a playful black and white dog that looks like a cross between a Jack Russell terrier and an anteater loves to hide his family's stuff in the closet, much to their dismay. Daily, Jack waits by the closet door to help them retrieve what might be misplaced. The family tries to correct Jack's errant ways by saying, "No, no, Jack!" But he continues hiding things until one day he hides a treasure that pleases all the family, especially Jack. This colorful book with bright acrylic artwork that moves the eye from left to right to the door will peak the curiosity of young readers from three to five years old as they try to guess what Jack might have placed in the closet. This chance to predict before lifting the flap to see will help the young reader pay attention to the text as well as the illustrations.

Concerns and Joys of Owning Jack.......2002-08-03

no,no, jack.......2002-05-10

My Three year old loves this book. She enjoys guessing and remembering what Jack has left in the closet. The illustrations and the story are light-hearted, but not sappy. The lift-the-flap feature drew us to it at the library; now we are going to buy it.

Concise Manual of Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgery

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Concise Manual of Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgery
Neil Sadick , Ron Moy , Naomi Lawrence , and Ranella Hirsch
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill Professional
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Book Description

All the cosmetic dermatologic surgery techniques you need!

Successfully performing cosmetic dermatologic surgery starts with mastering techniques… and that's the focus-the only focus- of this learn-as-you-go guide. Concise Manual of Cosmetic Dermatologic Surgery is written by four of the field's preeminent experts who deliver clear, authoritative guidance on the most essential cosmetic dermatology surgical techniques.

Logically organized by techniques instead of problems, the book first reviews the general approach to the dermasurgery patient, providing useful background information before systematically addressing specific surgical procedures. Each templated chapter begins with key points and includes a range of clinically relevant considerations-from set up to common pitfalls-that represent a practitioner's ideal checklist.

Features

Systematic approach to coverage of all surgical techniques: flaps and grafts, chemical peels, fat transfer, liposuction, hair transplantation, treatment of varicose and telangiectatic leg veins, blepharoplasty, forehead and face lift, and more
Streamlined, focused content
Consistent chapter format that includes key points, indications and contraindications, set up, choice of agents/techniques, a step-by-step description of the technique, and how to avoid potential pitfalls
Excellent full-color illustrations, including diagrams and clinical photographs
Chapter on the use of lasers in cosmetic dermatologic surgery

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The Author

Ron Hirsch
Ron Hirsch
Manufacturer: AuthorHouse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1420850512

Book Description

Ron Hirsch has been writing song lyrics since he was thirteen years old. This book is full of over one hundred and twenty songs. The songs are divided up in chapters such as recorded songs, rock songs, country songs and more. Over forty of Hirsch's songs have been recorded either by him, his band Strych-9, or Paramount Group in Nashville, Tennessee. Hirsch's songwriting can be compared to some of the greatest songwriters of our time.

Customer Reviews:

The Author.......2005-08-02

Hi I'm Ron Hirsch the Author of this book. Thank you for checking out this webpage. My book is full of over 120 song lyrics that I think you will enjoy. I am a singer songwriter and I have recorded many of the songs that are in this book. So please buy my book and enjoy it.

A Beautiful Mind. (Film Reviews). (movie review) : An article from: Cineaste

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A Beautiful Mind. (Film Reviews). (movie review) : An article from: Cineaste
Cynthia Rockwell
Manufacturer: Cineaste Publishers, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0009FPY2K
Release Date: 2005-07-30

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Cineaste, published by Cineaste Publishers, Inc. on June 22, 2002. The length of the article is 1582 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: A Beautiful Mind. (Film Reviews). (movie review)
Author: Cynthia Rockwell
Publication: Cineaste (Magazine/Journal)
Date: June 22, 2002
Publisher: Cineaste Publishers, Inc.
Volume: 27 Issue: 3 Page: 36(2)

Article Type: Movie Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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Rolemaster Companion IV

Manufacturer: Iron Crown Enterprises (ICE)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 1558061274

Amazon.com

Several business bestsellers in recent years have been books about warfare strategy and tactics. Sun Tsu's Art of War and Miyamoto Musashi's Book of Five Rings are titles widely recommended for insight and inspiration preparatory to corporate battle. In Corps Business, author David Freedman examines the organization and culture of the United States Marine Corps and sees "the best management training program in America."

For this book Freedman, a senior editor at Forbes ASAP and author of Brainmakers, trained with the Corps and interviewed scores of marines of every rank to discover 31 management principles "built around simple truths about human nature and the uncertainties of dynamic environments.... The Marines are used to facing entrenched enemies, short time-frames, chaotic conflicts, and unfavorable terrain --all of which have come to be hallmarks of the New Economy." Some of the ideas that Freedman encountered include Principle No. 1: "Aim for the 70-percent solution. It's better to decide quickly on an imperfect plan than to roll out a perfect plan when it's too late"; Principle No. 13: "Manage by end state and intent. Tell people what needs to be accomplished and why, and leave the details to them"; and Principle No. 21: "Establish a core identity. Everyone in the organization should feel they're performing an aspect of the same job." It's hard to argue with two centuries of battlefield success, and the wisdom and time-tested management philosophy dissected here should be a valuable prescriptive for any organization hell-bent on winning. --Scott Harrison

Book Description

That's what every business wants to be.And that's why the U.S. Marines excel in every mission American throws at them, no matter how tough the odds. In Corps Business, journalist David H. Freeman identifies the Marine's simple but devastatingly effective principles for managing people and resources -- and ultimately winning. Freedman discusses such techniques as "the rule of three," "managing by end state," and the "70% solution," to show how they can be applied to business solutions.

Customer Reviews:

Value failure, earn respect, focus down, flexible and fast.......2007-03-03

"It takes a moment for it to sink in that this young man just said he admires his boss enough to die for him." - _Corps Business_.

There seems to be a dirth of real leadership in the business world today. We talk a lot about management but not much about leading and motivating people. The result seems to be a style of management that sees the bottom line as more important than the people who do the work. Our benchmarks for management are other companies like our own measuring "better than" rather than "best" in order to feed our self-deception. But consider the kind of loyalty and passion for work inspired by Marine Corps management as a benchmark. How is it that young men and women with low pay, horrendous hours, and some of the worst working environments imaginable, continue to demonstrate the dedication they do? This concise and clear guide uses examples from the Marine Corps and from recent business history to illustrate 30 principles the author gleaned while attempting to find the secret to the Marine Corps success.

It may be shocking to many to hear some of the principles espoused. The Corps has undergone extensive change as an orgnization over recent decades. The stereotyped brain-numbed drone is a thing of the past. Educational requires for entry and continuing education for even the lowest ranks chanllenges the old stereotype. And blind obedience and inflexible autocratic leadership structures are a thing of the past. Modern marines are expected to voice dissent in planning scenarios without being intimidated by higher ranks. The organization as a whole flexes to meet the each situation making a finely-tuned organization suited for the particular challenge.

Education is a key factor in creating the level of flexible and rapid response that has become part of the Corps as an organization. Further, the education makes the distinction of giving tools and principles rather than mandates or canned responses. Marines are taught to recognize patterns through continuous and extreme training scenarios so that they learn to improvise and adapt to quickly changing environments.

Some principles might be surprising, such as the principle of rewarding failure. Others are common sense but taken to extreme levels, such as obsessive experimentation. But there is method to the apparent madness and reasons why each are sound principles that are interrelated to well-thought and tried methods of leadership and leadership development. Every marine is treated as a potential and probable leader. The principle to focus on the lower ranks enhances the all marines as leaders approach.

This book is organized into 10 chapters on principles in planning, principles related to the view of the mission, principles related to education and development, principles related to directing and motivating people, and so on. The 30 principles are summarized in a final few pages for ready reference. Be aware, _Corps Business_ may even work to motivate you to be a part of that incredibly efficient and demanding organization.

All business leaders could learn a great deal from the Corps business principles. To implement these principles will require a change in culture for most but the rewards are certain to follow and make your business a true benchmark for excellence. Imagine the principles that could lead to people respecting their bosses the way marines respect theirs.

Journalists should report, not analyse.......2007-01-22

That's not cause there's something wrong with analysis, but rather because journalists aren't trained for it. Who's Mr Freedman? A successful businessman? No. A Navy man? No. He's a journalist. Why should I care for his ideas on the Marine Corps/Business tactics? This overwordy book reads like a Time article, gibber-jabber; who's got time for that.

Anyway, if curious, go to a store and thumb through, don't go by positive reviews here (I doubt they're real; looks more like they're by friends/publisher's flunkeys). See for yourself. I practically read it right there -- and put it back on the shelf. Nothing evil about this book, but nothing worthy of your attention either; overall it is just another formulaic and gratuitous "business-advice" book, i.e., a waste of time, pollution of the brain.

An Interesting Yarn........2006-01-16

I was born in the Corps. My old man was a jarhead. If what Freedman reports is true I dont believe my dad would recognize today's Corps from what it was during Korea. From what I know of the other services, Freedman may be telling the truth. But what he writes reminds me of the blarney bloviated by companies like...say...WAL-MART. I worked for WAL-MART, and what they practice aint what they preach. Theyre not evil but much of their PR is hype. And this book comes across as PR hype. The idea of the Corps being "Care Bears" blows my mind away. I mean, if theyre doing everything Freedman claims, can Hospice-work and wedding catering be far off? Freedman writes well. I love the Corps, so the topic is interesting, and the book is engrossing. But I dont believe a word of it.

Sound Techniques, but not the Essence of the Marines.......2005-11-11

This book will help you improve your results. It's filled with sound advice. But you can read the whole book and not understand the essence of what makes the Marine Corps great and if that's what you're looking for, this isn't the book for you.

What makes the Marines a great organization isn't 30 management techniques. It's a culture of excellence, inculcated first during initial training and then reinforced every day.

So you can use any or all of these techniques and not get the results that Marines get. Marines apply them with the leverage of tradition and culture which gives them a big advantage.

Let's consider principle 13: "Manage by end-state and intent. Tell people what needs to be accomplished and why and leave the details to them." Marines will respond to this because of their training, their experience and 230 years of tradition and war stories.

But, start applying this principle in an organization where employees have never been allowed to make their own decisions and the results are more likely to be confusion and fear than improved performance.

This book has good techniques but misses the Marine culture. That may be OK for you if you're looking for a list of good management techniques with examples of how they're applied in the US Marines.

But if you really want to know about how Marines get great results and how you can apply those principles to a business, I suggest Semper Fi: Business Leadership the Marine Corps Way by Dan Carrison and Rod Walsh.

Some very excellent ideas to help your business skills..........2005-10-16

For the record, I am a veterinarian looking to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of my hospital. It is a very small business with only 5 employees. There are many very excellent ideas presented here, such as the rule of three, pushing the information down to the lowest level possible, finding a core value that all employees from top to bottom have in common and are capable of perfoming, allowing and ecouraging subordinates to question the higher ups when they are not in agreement with the plan. Some of the principles do not translate to my business as well as other ones, such as the ideas dealing with how to combat and take advantage of competitors.

I also read Semper Fi, and that had good ideas as well, but I prefer this book over Semper Fi. Read both if you can. I have ordered but not yet read the book called "The Marine Corps Way: Leading a winning organization.

Overall, anyone in any business can benefit from the ideas presented here

Corps Business: The 30 Management Principles of the U.S. Marines

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Corps Business: The 30 Management Principles of the U.S. Marines
David H. Freedman
Manufacturer: Collins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OFDOYA

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