Customer Rating: Summary: Complete, informative, funny-- what more can you ask for? Comment: I was afraid when I picked up _The Biz_ that it was going to be a dry read-- legal aspects of any business are not known for being a scintillating read. However, I am happy to report that it was not only a quick and interesting read, it was a genuinely funny one. Moore had me laughing out loud on several occasions.
Even granted that this is not a book you read for the humor, it is refreshing to see a reference book so well written. My only quarrel was that I would have liked to see a bibliography included with the book in case I wanted to go in depth into any of the areas covered. Customer Rating: Summary: How hot is "the Biz?" Comment: One thing about Professor Moore: the man rides motorcycles and has more energy than a 6-year old. He's not the average UCLA professor.
Thus, you should be aware that the book reflects it's writer's personality. The book is not only informative, but a pretty fun read as well. Friends from other law schools tell me how dry and dull their entertainment law texts are - a fact which absolutely boggles my mind. The Biz is concisely written, and filled with lively examples
Customer Rating: Summary: Handbook for Entertainment Lawyers Comment: Mr. Moore teaches at UCLA, and his course is extraordinarily well attended. His book is considered a must-have for lawyers working in Entertainment, and although the focus is law, I think it would be a handy reference for anyone new to the creative side of Entertainment, especially those seeking to protect themselves and their interests when making deals and such.
Today's film industry is a legal and financial obstacle course that independent filmmakers must learn to master. The most comprehensive guide to negotiating that obstacle course is this book, a high accessible overview of the industry's important business, legal and financial interests. Filled with industry-savvy advice, it clearly explains: raising financing; business structuring; securities laws; budgeting essentials; dealing with the guilds; loans; completion guarantees; distribution deals; calculating net profits; film-industry accounting practices and contingent payments; copyright, publicity and trademark laws; screen credits and talent demands; litigation problems; bankruptcy; taxation of film companies; Internet distribution of films; film-industry business jargon. New to this edition is an extensive and comprehensive updating of all chapters and the addition of a section about video on demand.