I Killed Optimus Prime: How one man single-handedly destroyed the world’s most formidable Transformer... and lived to tell the tale.

by Ron Friedman

Only one man could write "I Killed Optimus Prime" because he did, in fact, kill off the last-born of the original Thirteen Transformers who remains the superhero leader of the Autobots, those sentient self-configuring modular extraterrestrial robotic lifeforms which have become global cultural icons.In this book, Ron Friedman--widely known as the most prolific television writer in the history of the medium--shares the intimate details of a life and career that started with him cracking jokes to avoid death-by-schoolyard-bullies on the dusty streets of Weirton, West Virginia, took him through the world of professional architecture and finally through the gilded gates of every major Hollywood studio as the creative force behind nearly every hit TV series of his generation. His scripts for shows like FANTASY ISLAND, CHICO & THE MAN, STARSKY & HUTCH, ALL IN THE FAMILY, HAPPY DAYS are among more than 700 hours of his produced credits. With more than 40 feature film screenplays to his credit, Ron is a recognized screenwriting expert who has actually "been there and done that."A frequent collaborator and close friend of the late Marvel Comics genius Stan Lee, Ron is a multiple Emmy nominee most well known for his animation work, having created the characters and developed the material for major projects like G.I. JOE, THE MARVEL ACTION HOUR, THE TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE, IRON MAN, and THE FANTASTIC FOUR. This book is far more than a mere "memoir" and is a must-read for anyone working toward a Hollywood writing career. As a veteran Professor of Screenwriting at Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts and as Senior Judge at The Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards, Friedman's insights into the craft and profession of screenwriting are pure gold. Read what he has to say here and you won't need to bother with all the self-promoting so-called "experts" (most of whom have never written or sold a single script!) have to say.Woven throughout this fast-paced tale are plenty of "inside the studio" stories and revelations about the personal lives of celebrities, all recounted with dazzling wit and the ribald candor (can you handle the truth?) that will have you either gasping in shock or on your knees with laughter."I Killed Optimus Prime" is far more than a breezy "Hollywood" read. It's the stuff of true genius from a Hollywood veteran who pulls out all the stops, lets it all hang out...and isn't worried about tucking any of it back in. WARNING: before you open this book, buckle your seatbelt. This is one very WILD RIDE!

265 pages, Paperback

Published March 6, 2019

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Reviews

[Stuart Glogoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd listened to a podcast with Ron Friedman. He was funny and told stories about his life that made me want to read his book. I've toyed with contributing a review because I'm hesitant to give a negative one, even one that's only partly negative.

I've not watched any of the Transformer movies so I had no idea about the series or comic books. If you're a fan, then I'm sure you'll enjoy the sections involving the Transformers and Optimus Prime. I found that most of the funny parts of Friedman's life and experiences were shared during the podcast. And as an indie author, I've read a lot about writing and didn't find anything new or insightful in what he shared there.

That is not to say other readers won't and I encourage you to read it if the material interests you. What I disliked most is that the paperback version was replete with typos and duplicated words and phrases. For $18.95 readers deserve better. I've "published" three books on Amazon, which is only to say I understand the process of getting your work into one of its KDP templates. I suspect someone did this for Friedman but it does not excuse how he should have reviewed a proof copy and corrected it.

FYI, I looked on Amazon today and noticed the paperback version is unavailable. Since it's print-on-demand, maybe it was pulled off for revisions. One can only hope.

[John Cassian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining, if sometimes a bit long and repetitive. Still, the inside Hollywood information is fantastic. You'll learn a thing or two about writing in general, screenwriting in particular, and life as a whole if you read this book.

[Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Adderall fueled ramblings of a lunatic. Run on sentences, self insert fan fiction with no point, and the man barely talks about the writing transformers. Brother spends 245 pages stroking his ego and name dropping every celebrity he's ever met.