Customer Reviews

Friend In The Business

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I collect books about TV writing, from way back in the '50s (Paddy Chayefsky, et al.) through today, and Masello's is the funniest, most informative, most well-written, most encouraging and most useful of them all. I hope he continues to revise and update A FRIEND IN THE BUSINESS as the years pass, in order to keep it current, because it really is an invaluable reference.

I enjoyed reading this book, and found it interesting to hear the trench stories of one man's journey into Hollywood. However, there is something about the book that I didn't like, and I can't quite pinpoint it....there is a feel that the author was not as successful in Hollywood as he wanted to be, and decided to at least leverage his limited experiences by writing a book about them (versus some books out there that seem to be driven by a true desire to impart hard-earned wisdom), while settling some scores in the process. Kind of like, "I'll show them...." (more subtle, but still there).

I'll give one example, and perhaps it's not the best one. He mentions that he was always hip-pocketed by the agencies, not signed, and tells us that info as if that is a good thing, like phew, he beat the system. OK, yes, being hip-pocketed is better than nothing at all, especially at the beginning, but let's face it, if an agent never wants to sign you, you did not pull one over on them. It just felt like he was trying to justify a lot of this kind of stuff. There are so many books out there that after reading, I am dying to have lunch with the author to meet him in person....whereas here, I found myself not having that experience at all.

But, the book was funny and had some good intro-to-the-business info.

This is both a fun book, and also a very infomative book, about the screenwriting business. It is full of academic truths about screenwriting, and it also contains alot of street smart realities that the writer (and author) learned over time. It has alot of good stories about the authors trials and tribulations, and shows how he approached the business, and then made alot of necessary corrections. I would give it a 4.5 without any hesitation. Very fun and informative.

..and this book creates a brilliant, candid portrait of this madness. "Friend in the Business" was recommended to me by someone when I told them I was thinking about breaking into TV, and this book has told me everything I need to know to hold onto both my sanity and my soul while doing so.

I work in a college career services office & bought this book for our resource center. It arrived last week and has not yet made it onto the shelf--because I can't put it down! Many career books are dry "how to" manuals which may have valuable information, but lose the readers' interest before it can be imparted. Not this book. Mr. Masello's engaging, witty writing keeps the reader riveted. And while being entertained, you also learn a good deal about succeeding in TV writing. (Which, granted, appears to be much like its cousins in radio/movies etc...somewhat dependent upon luck, timing and perseverence).

At any rate, if you are contemplating a career in TV writing or looking for a good book to add to your career library, this is a must have. Note: I see he has another coming out in April on getting books published...I plan to order it as well!

A no-nonsense book on how to make it as a writer for television written by someone who works in the industry.

Masello's book is probably the best book of advice explaining the all-so mysterical inner workings of the entertainment industry that I've ever come across. After reading this from cover to cover in about a day, I now feel better prepared to begin a career as a television writer. I wouldn't limit this book as a "how to" book. It reads like a novel. It's hysterical in parts. Masello is an excellent writer - a source to trust when taking advice.

Even if you're not a writer but have the slightest curiousity of having a career in the film or tv industry, this book is for you. As a former actor, I found it interesting to see things from the other side. Masello discusses what producers do and how the actors effect the script-making process. He explains how all the pieces come together, and some times fall apart.

I teach television writing and screenwriting classes at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts in the Film & Television Department and Department of Dramatic Writing. I have never in 12 years made a book on TV writing required reading for my students because there was nothing good enough out there. That has all changed with A Friend In The Business. Masello chronicles his upstream journey in the strange, funny and sometimes dangerous waters of network television in a style that is both hilarious and sobering. He talks the talk and walks the walk. Any writer who has worked in TV will nod his or her head in painful and comical recognition. I have written for television, worked as a staff writer on two shows and had 3 pilot deals. This is important to know because besides teaching this stuff I've lived it. There is no book about breaking into television writing out there that even comes close to A Friend In The Business. It's truthful, entertaining and will make anyone who wants to know what it's like to break in--and more important--stay in the business. I loved it.

Even if you're one of the five people who have no desire to write for TV, or movies, you will love Robert Masello's hilarious tales of "the business." If you're one of the millions of aspiring writers than you absolutely have to pick up this book. Unlike the usual how-to tome, with its silly rules (only people who indent 1.5 inches on a page are permitted to write for TV) Masello takes us on a journey through the real world, and unreal characters, of writing for television. If you can stop laughing, you'll find some very practical advice on how to avoid the land mines of script writing that await writers daring to cross the California border. This is one non-fiction book that reads like a novel.

Boy, am I learning a lot from this book! Everything from the nitty gritty about preparing and pitching a script to the politics and personalities that open (or shut) the doors to a television career. I'd call it "must reading" for anyone who wants to be a television writer--or for anyone who wonders why contemporary television is the way it is.