Showing titles in Business Aspects

Since 1998, Steve Balderson has made 17 feature films. Looking back on these years of productivity, Steve has crafted a volume of invaluable perspective, tips, how-tos, and general philosophy about making independent films, no matter the budget, no matter the location. Balderson worries little about who he will offend.

Broadway’s most esteemed visionaries tell all - how they got started in the business, how they chose projects, how they raise money, why some of their shows were huge hits and others flopped, and much more. From Flo Ziegfeld and David Merrick, from Joseph Papp, from Cameron Mackintosh, from today’s up-and-coming new generation of producers - here are priceless words of wisdom.

More than 85 years after his untimely death at just age 37, Irving Thalberg remains a legendary Hollywood figure. Called the “Boy Wonder of Hollywood,” Thalberg quickly climbed the ranks at MGM studios to become one of the most powerful and high-profile producers of the time, elevating filmmaking to an art form. In this definitive biography, Bob Thomas brings Thalberg's legend to life, recounting how the producer's remarkable talent for developing stars and scripts led to the creation of beloved movies such as Ben-Hur, Romeo and Juliet, and Camille.

Have you ever been stuck? Creative freedom could be simple...It really is possible to become unstoppable. You can conquer the blank page. You can let your talents shine. You can (really) make money with your gifts. Our culture paints creative people as flaky and confused. Don’t listen to their lies. You are more than a character.

Today you need to view yourself through the new rules of the music industry. Those who play by them will succeed. Gone are the old days where you would hope to get signed and then become a star (i.e., everything would be done for you). Do you wonder why other artists are getting breaks and you are not? Making it in the music industry isn't about catching that big break anymore. Getting your career off the ground can be a long and scary task. In this cutting-edge book Tommy Swindali maps out everything you need to know.

You could be the proud parent of the next big child star. Naturally, you’d want to support their dreams and help them put their acting prowess to work. But first, a reality check: Even if your kid has plenty of talent, finding success in the entertainment industry can be quite challenging.

Voice-Overs for Podcasting is exactly what podcasters of all levels need: an essential handbook to create, build, improve, and connect with audiences around the globe. Written by veteran voice-over coach and author, Elaine A. Clark, this book delivers the nuts and bolts of podcasting and elevates it to a new creative level where the voice is the star and the listener is the happy recipient.

The Directors, Take Three offers dozens of masterful insights on the craft of directing from such renowned filmmakers as Robert Altman, Wes Craven, Alan Parker, Tim Burton, Steven Spielberg, and Barry Levinson. Here are details of their experiences making a variety of classic films from Nashville to Nightmare on Elm Street, Rain Man to Raging Bull, and Pee Wee's Big Adventure to Schindler's List.

When did documentaries get glamorous? Documentary Superstars looks at the history of documentaries and traces their transition from hands-off to in your face. Exclusive interviews with Michael Moore, Morgan Spurlock, Errol Morris, George Clooney, Sacha Baron Cohen, Morgan Freeman, Al Gore, and more of the biggest names in the field show the impact of the documentary style on mainstream movies and on our society.

Peter Shapiro is perhaps the most notable independent concert promoter since Bill Graham. He owned the legendary Wetlands in Tribeca and has gone onto much bigger things, including Brooklyn Bowl (NYC, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, and Nashville), the Capitol Theatre in Portchester, producing U2 3D, and promoting the Grateful Dead's 50th anniversary tour ("Fare Thee Well") featuring the Core Four and Trey Anastasio... and so much more. In The Music Never Stops, Shapiro shares the inside story of how he became a tremendous powerhouse in the music industry

Finally, a book that tells the truth about the pitching process in Hollywood. This highly detailed guide is intended for writers, producers and directors, or anyone who wants to work in the intensely competitive, creative side of the entertainment industry. Written is simple, direct language, it is intended for beginners or established Hollywood pros.

So you want to be a rock star. Or the next pop sensation. Or a country music artist. Or perhaps you’re more intrigued by vital roles behind the scenes. The Realist’s Guide to a Successful Music Career reveals all the ins and outs of building a viable career in today’s ever-changing music business. With blunt honesty paired with expert insight and encouragement, this empathetic guide covers everything from building your brand and expanding outreach, to finding and playing gigs and smart touring, to critical marketing and developing your sound.

The Authentic Actor: the Art and Business of Being Yourself illuminates for today’s actors the skills, strategies, and mental approach to navigating the intersection of art and commerce. It’s the culmination of Michael Laskin’s over forty years in the profession, and thousands of hours of classroom work and private coaching. Today’s “Authentic Actor” is someone who has successfully merged their highly developed talent with their fully examined identity. Defining, refining, and understanding your indelibility as an actor, your “blink-of-an-eye” factor, is key.

Are you playing your first green-field music festival or outdoor show soon? Not quite sure how it all works on the other side of the 'Artists Only' sign? Don't worry; help is at hand. In this mini-guide, concert tour manager & live sound engineer Andy Reynolds gives you his tips on making the most of your first festival slot. Andy has toured with bands and singers for more than 25 years, and works on loads of open-air, green-field, type festivals, such as Glastonbury, Roskilde, Coachella, and Bonaroo each summer.

Dream Like an Artist, Think Like an Accountant is a conversational and action-oriented book that will make you better at managing your business finances so that you can free up time, energy, and headspace to achieve more creatively. In short, this book does not try to change you. Leveraging the skills you already have, this book offers a masterclass in three core business management concepts.

Do you have a talented child that everyone says is made for television but you’ve hit a brick wall in helping them break into show business? Well this audiobook will outline everything you need to know and do to successfully navigate the entertainment industry. No matter where you live, there are steps you can take to get your child’s professional acting career started today! There are many people out there who claim they can help guide you through this journey but the reality of it is that no one can understand what it means to be the SPCA (Supportive Parent of A Child Actor).

10 Legal Basics for Producing a Feature Film or Documentary describes the major legal documentaries you need to produce a feature-length film or documentary. It covers the basics of getting a fictitious name, filing for a copyright, obtaining E&O and other types of insurance, creating release forms for actors, interviewees, crew members, and other film participants, and much more.

You just became the wedding DJ ! Now what? The Wedding DJ Bible will teach you how to handle the wedding like a pro including preparation, equipment, safety, appearance, etiquette, and much more! A wedding DJ is critical to the flow, feel, and ultimately the success of one of the most special occasions that not just a bride and groom will have, but that a family will ever have!

Voice Over Domination is a quick, to-the-point listen. The beginning of the audiobook deals with my philosophy and the mind-set needed to win in the voice-over business. This is specifically for the voice-over artist who has a home studio and needs to understand how to start, build, and grow a successful voice-over business. Inside, I discuss what it takes to win, and then I go into some hard-hitting tactics and strategies to get you to where you want to be.

In Vitagraph, Andrew A. Erish provides a comprehensive examination and reassessment of the company most responsible for defining and popularizing the American movie. This history challenges long-accepted Hollywood mythology that simply isn't true: that Paramount and Fox invented the feature film, that Universal created the star system, and that these companies, along with MGM and Warner Bros., developed motion pictures into a multimillion-dollar business.