The Devil's Guide to Hollywood: The Screenwriter as God

The Devil's Guide to Hollywood offers screenwriting advice and industry insights from veteran writer Joe Eszterhas, known for Basic Instinct and Showgirls. The book presents instruction in short, direct statements that cover the craft of screenwriting and the realities of working in Hollywood. Eszterhas draws from his decades of experience to share perspectives on dealing with studios, agents, directors, and producers. The format alternates between practical writing techniques and behind-the-scenes stories from major film productions. The book addresses both the creative and business aspects of screenwriting, from developing characters to negotiating contracts. Eszterhas includes examples from his own scripts and career experiences to illustrate key points. This guide stands apart from standard screenwriting manuals through its unvarnished look at the film industry and emphasis on survival skills for writers. The work suggests that success in Hollywood requires equal parts writing talent and strategic thinking.

Readers view this as a blunt, no-nonsense take on Hollywood screenwriting from someone who has succeeded in the industry. The raw, confrontational tone matches Eszterhas's reputation and writing style. Liked: - Practical advice about navigating Hollywood politics and deal-making - Entertaining behind-the-scenes stories and industry gossip - Straightforward discussion of money and contracts - Brief, easy-to-digest chapters Disliked: - Self-aggrandizing tone and constant name-dropping - Outdated references and advice from pre-streaming era - Excessive focus on Eszterhas's personal grudges - Lack of concrete screenwriting technique instruction "More of an ego trip than a writing guide" notes one Amazon reviewer. Several readers mention the book works better as Hollywood memoir than screenwriting manual. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: 4/5 (100+ reviews) LibraryThing: 3.5/5 (50+ ratings)

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🎬 Joe Eszterhas sold his screenplay for "Basic Instinct" for a record-breaking $3 million in 1992, making him one of Hollywood's highest-paid screenwriters at the time. 📝 The book contains over 600 rules and observations about screenwriting, drawn from Eszterhas's experiences writing 14 films that have grossed more than $1 billion worldwide. 🎥 While writing the book, Eszterhas was recovering from throat cancer, which he attributes to his former heavy smoking habits—a lifestyle he often depicted in his screenplays. 💫 The title reflects Eszterhas's notorious reputation in Hollywood as a "bad boy" writer who frequently clashed with studio executives and directors, including a famous public feud with former CAA agent Michael Ovitz. 📚 Many of the book's insights come from Eszterhas's experiences writing controversial films like "Showgirls" and "Jade," which, despite being commercial failures, contributed to his understanding of both success and failure in Hollywood.