Reel Power: The Struggle for Influence and Success in the New Hollywood - Softcover

Litwak, Mark

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1879505193 ISBN 13: 9781879505193

Publisher: Silman-James Press, 1994

Synopsis

A comprehensive look at how today's Hollywood works -- who has the power and how deals are made. Drawing on interviews with more than 200 Hollywood insiders -- writers, directors, performers, agents, producers and journalists -- Litwak leads us through the maze of Hollywood politics. Well written and filled with case histories of specific films, Reel Power ears down myths and reveals the inner workings of the Hollywood film business.

About this title

From Publishers Weekly:

As a lawyer and former associate of Ralph Nader, Litwak developed his investigative skills, and he makes exemplary use of them in this report on modern movie-making. The author talked to people in all branches of the business, and the result is an objective, clear-sighted account of an industry that stresses making deals over making films. In Hollywood, Litwak learned, agents virtually dictate pictures to be made and who will be in them. A box-office draw (e.g., Sylvester Stallone) can "rewrite" a good script and create a flop ( Rhinestone, even with a co-star as popular as Dolly Parton. Actors, producers, directors are harassed by money people who insist on commercial properties. There are numerous situations cited in the text that strike one as crosses between satire and tragedy. Readers may wonder how a good movie ever gets on the screen. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal:

Lawyer and ex-Nader Raider Litwak, now heading an independent production company in Los Angeles, has written an interesting and reasonably thorough dissection of life and work in the "new" Hollywood. The book is based on interviews with "more than 200" film and TV industry people, and Litwak, without attempting a real historical overview, has largely collated their views to reach his conclusions. This is not a scandal-revealing gossipy work; rather it serves as a useful primer in how and why and by whom today's films get made (or don't get made.) It is a rational discussion of a seemingly irrational, make-believe world. David Barthomew, NYPL
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Silman-James Press
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 1879505193
• ISBN 13: 9781879505193
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 336