How Hollywood Works

by Janet Wasko

This is a book about the US motion picture industry - its structure and policies, its operations and practices. It looks at the processes that are involved in turning raw materials and labor into feature films. It describes the process of film production, distribution, exhibition and retail - a process that involves different markets where materials, labor and products are bought and sold. In other words, this is a book about how Hollywood works - as an industry.

How Hollywood Works:

- offers an up-to-date survey of the policies and structure of the US film industry

- looks at the relationship between the film industry and other media industries

- examines the role of the major studios and the other 'players' - including, law firms, talent agents, and trade unions and guilds

- provides access to hard-to-find statistical information on the industry

While many books describe the film production and marketing process, they usually do so from an industry perspective and few look at Hollywood critically from within a more general economic, political and social context. By offering just such a critique, Janet Wasko's text provides a timely and essential analysis of how Hollywood works for all students of film and media.

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Alicia Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is rather dated (it predates Netflix) and seems designed for an entry-level college course on the film industry. I have no idea why I picked it up. All the same, it was interesting to learn what a huge industry this is--a larger part of the American GDP and export market than I realized.

[Gregory Kaplan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very well researched with useful information. Two drawbacks are that facts in the business move too quickly to keep track of them (much here is outdated), and that data is poorly organized, flitting back and forth while trying to break down into "chunks." Still, helpful overview of a complicated business.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A useful (but rather poorly edited) industrial account of contemporary Hollywood. The sections on distribution/exhibition and marketing are especially interesting.