books about the movie business

[hashpurples]

i am wondering if anyone here can recommend a good book to help me understand better the intricate workings of Hollywood. How a movie goes from conception to paper to realization, what legal matters are involved, the dealings with managers, agents, and production companies. Percentages, contracts, etc.

what i am looking for is something in the style of donald passmans "all you need to know about the music business" but for the film industry...

can anyone gimme a hand?

[imelge]

I can't think of one book as extensive as "...Music Business," but here are three books on my shelf that you might find useful. A couple I haven't read in years, so I don't know how current the information is specifically, but they should still be able to give you some generalities that will always be in place.

How to Make It In Hollywood - Linda Buzzell
The Hollywood Job Hunter's Survival Guide - Hugh Taylor
All You Need to Know About the Movie and TV Industry - Gail Resnik and Scott Trost

[hashpurples]

thanks alot, i will give them a check on amazon...

[imelge]

I suppose I should also say that the first two suggestions, though they do seem to be more about how to get/maintain a job, they both offer broad overviews of who does what with what and whom, and how, and why. So don't disregard them because of their titles.

[britwrit]

Art Linson, a longtime Hollywood producer, has a new book out which I heard is pretty good.

"Hello, He Lied" by Linda Obst, is also useful, though she's a little gushing about all the wonderful people she's worked with as a producer.

[magglob]

I have read Producers Business Handbook by John R. Lee. It deals with markets, studios, production companies, developing companies and so forth. I like it alot. I got it off Amazon.

[educatedcg]

I can think of three books that may be of interest:
Selling a Screenplay to HollyWood- Syd Field
The Independent Film & Videomaker's Guide-Michael Wise
The Screenwriter's Bible- David Trotter
The Complete Idiots Guide to Screenwriting-Skip Press

[superzug]

Check out "The Movie Business Book" (by Jason Squire? I believe)

Good overview of how a lot of the power players work and their roles. Might not have as much detail and nuts and bolts dealmaking stuff by the sound of your question but check it out on Amazon.