Monster: Living Off the Big Screen

Monster chronicles screenwriter John Gregory Dunne's experiences during an eight-year journey to write a screenplay for Disney. The book follows the development of a script about a news anchor accused of murder, from its inception through multiple drafts and studio demands. Through precise detail and industry insider perspective, Dunne documents the complex relationships between writers, producers, studio executives, and stars. He includes actual correspondence, script excerpts, and meeting notes to illustrate the grinding process of getting a film made in Hollywood. The narrative weaves personal elements of Dunne's life with his professional struggles, including health issues and his writing partnership with wife Joan Didion. The result illuminates both the business and creative aspects of screenwriting during the 1990s studio system. This memoir serves as both a critique of Hollywood's development process and a meditation on the costs - financial, creative, and personal - of working in the entertainment industry. The book exposes the tension between art and commerce in mainstream filmmaking.

Readers value this book as an unvarnished look at Hollywood screenwriting, with Dunne's detailed account of developing "Up Close & Personal" offering insights into studio politics and creative compromises. Many note its usefulness for aspiring screenwriters, with one reader calling it "required reading for anyone considering writing for Hollywood." Readers appreciate Dunne's frank, sometimes cynical observations and his willingness to discuss money matters openly. Multiple reviews mention the authentic portrayal of the tedious rewrite process. Common criticisms focus on the repetitive nature of the development saga and Dunne's tendency to name-drop. Some readers found the extensive details about contract negotiations tedious. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (245 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (31 ratings) "A sobering look at the sausage factory," wrote one Amazon reviewer. Another noted: "The book succeeds as both a cautionary tale and an insider's guide to surviving the development process."

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🎬 The book chronicles the 8-year journey of writing the screenplay for "Up Close & Personal" starring Robert Redford and Michelle Pfeiffer, though the final film barely resembled the original concept of telling Jessica Savitch's life story. ✍️ John Gregory Dunne wrote the screenplay with his wife Joan Didion, and their collaboration showcases the challenges faced by married writing partners in Hollywood. 💰 The authors earned approximately $1.2 million for their work on the screenplay, but had to complete 27 different drafts before the film was finally produced. 📚 Dunne kept detailed notes throughout the entire process, including copies of every draft and memo, which allowed him to provide precise documentation of Hollywood's development process in the book. 🎥 The book's title "Monster" refers to how the film industry itself is a monster that consumes ideas and transforms them into something entirely different from the original vision - in this case, turning a dark biographical story about an ambitious news anchor into a romantic drama.