When I first started in Hollywood in 2003, I came out here thinking I could learn it all on the fly. I was dead fucking wrong. Aside from the pain of failure and the wisdom of experience, I could have learned a lot and saved myself a lot of trouble if I had taken the time to read some of the books I list below first. If you only want to read two, read the top two that I starred. They are well written and at least glance off all the major issues you need to understand about Hollywood.
Don't put too much stock in these books though. If you read the top list you will learn a lot, but the real gritty knowledge still comes from inside the system. Next week I will post the magazine and internet articles I read that helped me.
Required Reading (in order of importance to me):
*Billion Dollar Kiss - Gives an excellent understanding of how TV writing works and the history of FINSYN laws and the economics of TV. Also gives good insight into studio culture and how it stifles creativity.
*The Big Picture: The New Logic of Money and Power in Hollywood - The definitive guide to understanding the business behind the movies. Edward Epstein hates the Hollywood machine and really digs into the hypocrisy of the business behind it.
Hollywood Economics - Technical guide to the economics of Hollywood. Very thick, not recommended unless you either have a finance/econ background, or you really want to learn this stuff.
Entertainment Industry Economics - Same as above.
Independent Film Producer's Survival Guide - Good intro to the basics of film production. Kinda shallow, but helpful in it's breadth.
Independent Feature Film Production - Same as above. Focuses a bit more on the physical production aspects.
Which Lie Did I Tell - Good intro to the social culture of Hollywood by the guy who wrote PRINCESS BRIDE.
Bambi vs. Godzilla: On the Nature, Purpose, and Practice of the Movie Business - David Mamet's take on Hollywood. He is not as clever as he thinks he is, but still a lot of good insights and quotes.
Marketing to Moviegoers - Basic intro to movie marketing.
Stuff I read also (some good, some bad:
What Makes Sammy Run
Rebel Without A Crew
Hit and Run
My Movie Business: A Memoir
The DV Rebels Guide
Television Disrupted
The Price of Experience
The Devil's Guide to Hollywood
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