For sixty years, since the birth of United Artists, the studio landscape was unchanged.Then came Hollywood
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Nov 29, 2010
Jason
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If you have any interest in Hollywood, movies, or how movies get made you're going to love this book.[return][return]The book traces the beginnings of Dreamworks from its inception to regained independence in 2009. The author does such a fantastic job of describing the players and detailing the situations and motives that you feel like you were a part of the whole thing. The chapters in which she tells about specific movies really moves the book along and keeps you wrapped up in what's happeni
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Jul 28, 2010
Saga of DreamWorks with no help from leading men
By Ethan Gilsdorf | Boston Globe, May 2, 2010
DreamWorks was monstrous, misfit, and idealistic. The upstart studio was the progeny of three industry giants: director Steven Spielberg; record company mogul and billionaire David Geffen; and Disney animation head Jeffrey Katzenberg, the driving force behind the idea to make a new studio from scratch.
DreamWorks began building on a lofty foundation. At the Oct. 12, 1994, p More...
By Ethan Gilsdorf | Boston Globe, May 2, 2010
DreamWorks was monstrous, misfit, and idealistic. The upstart studio was the progeny of three industry giants: director Steven Spielberg; record company mogul and billionaire David Geffen; and Disney animation head Jeffrey Katzenberg, the driving force behind the idea to make a new studio from scratch.
DreamWorks began building on a lofty foundation. At the Oct. 12, 1994, p More...
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Jul 07, 2010
Tim
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It was 1994 and there had not been a powerhouse new film studio created in six decades when the triumvirate of uber film producer Steven Spielberg, Disney animation domo Jeffrey Katzenberg and music mogul and billionaire David Geffen created the company everyone in Hollywood wanted to work for, Dreamworks.
Since that time, the only self-made mega-studio of the late twentieth century has been at the center of more than its share of major successes (‘Saving Private Ryan,’ ‘Gladiator,’ ‘ More...
Since that time, the only self-made mega-studio of the late twentieth century has been at the center of more than its share of major successes (‘Saving Private Ryan,’ ‘Gladiator,’ ‘ More...
Jun 22, 2010
J.
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In 1994 the first new Hollywood studio in 60 years announced its beginning with more than just the usual fanfare. Steven Spielberg, the genius director; Jeffrey Katzenberg, the man who put Disney animation back in business with movies like The Lion King; and David Geffen, the billionaire music mogul, joined forces to create Dreamworks SKG. It was the biggest conglomeration of talent and industry power since anyone could remember. But despite such huge blockbusters and award-winning films as "
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Jul 18, 2010
Lynne
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Once upon a time, three boy-men thought they were pretty good at what they did and pretty important. So did the rest of the world. Then they joined forces, formed DreamWorks SKG and it all fell apart.
Putting the story of Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen together in an easily understood format, despite a huge cast, special effects and multiple storylines, is former Variety reporter Nicole LaPorte. Her book is as detailed as the great entertainment biz reporting of More...
Putting the story of Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen together in an easily understood format, despite a huge cast, special effects and multiple storylines, is former Variety reporter Nicole LaPorte. Her book is as detailed as the great entertainment biz reporting of More...
Jul 11, 2011
Katherine
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I used to idolise Spielberg when I was about 11. He was the genius who made movies fun again.
Now that thirty years have gone by, my approach to the world of movies is far less reverent, far more cynical. I wanted to read this precisely because I wanted insider-view details on the world of moviemaking unencumbered by spin. While other reviews bemoan the lack of involvement in the book by the three principles, I was glad of it, as I didnt want a slanted tale.
Boy, were these More...
Now that thirty years have gone by, my approach to the world of movies is far less reverent, far more cynical. I wanted to read this precisely because I wanted insider-view details on the world of moviemaking unencumbered by spin. While other reviews bemoan the lack of involvement in the book by the three principles, I was glad of it, as I didnt want a slanted tale.
Boy, were these More...
May 26, 2011
Niklas
rated it:
A for effort, seeing how LaPorte has scoured Hollywood and its tombs (e.g. people and mags), but I think this book might have benefited by more bird's eye-views on the whole thing.
Through all the details in this book one is served a bunch of very close perspectives of how DreamWorks, the company brought to life by Jeffrey Katzenberg and his trustees and wealthy supporters, Steven Spielberg and David Geffen, worked and definitely didn't work.
One is served the picture that Spie More...
Through all the details in this book one is served a bunch of very close perspectives of how DreamWorks, the company brought to life by Jeffrey Katzenberg and his trustees and wealthy supporters, Steven Spielberg and David Geffen, worked and definitely didn't work.
One is served the picture that Spie More...
Nov 08, 2010
Blog on Books
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It was 1994 and there had not been a powerhouse new film studio created in six decades when the triumvirate of uber film producer Steven Spielberg, Disney animation domo Jeffrey Katzenberg and music mogul and billionaire David Geffen created the company it seemed everyone in Hollywood wanted to work for, Dreamworks.
Since that time, the studio has been at the center of more than its share of major successes (‘Saving Private Ryan,’ ‘Gladiator,’ ‘Shrek’), failures (‘Champs,’ ‘Amistad,’ More...
Since that time, the studio has been at the center of more than its share of major successes (‘Saving Private Ryan,’ ‘Gladiator,’ ‘Shrek’), failures (‘Champs,’ ‘Amistad,’ More...
Jul 15, 2010
Chris
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Variety reporter LaPorte tells the troubled history of DreamWorks and the outsize personalities that created it. Most of what happened is what you'd expect, given the creativity and insecurity of those involved. However, there is an insightful take on how the very nature of animation and the movie business was changing as DreamWorks struggled to find its footing, and it's fun to remember just how many good movies the studio pulled off in spite of its own failings.
Jun 22, 2010
Danielle
rated it: 
First, this was a really, really long, but well-read audio book.
I knew next to nothing about Dreamworks coming in, but since I so enjoyed the book on Pixar a couple years back, I thought I'd dive right in. An interesting, well-written book, though I found myself becoming increasingly annoyed with the egotistical, money-obsessed founders of Dreamworks. When they begin squabbling over a couple million dollars when they are all worth hundreds of millions, if not billions of dollars, I More...
I knew next to nothing about Dreamworks coming in, but since I so enjoyed the book on Pixar a couple years back, I thought I'd dive right in. An interesting, well-written book, though I found myself becoming increasingly annoyed with the egotistical, money-obsessed founders of Dreamworks. When they begin squabbling over a couple million dollars when they are all worth hundreds of millions, if not billions of dollars, I More...
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Jan 01, 2011
Nathan
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A fascinating story that actually increased my respect for the trio it features -- they bore their much-heralded new studio into an even more hostile environment than I had imagined.
This was all the more fascinating to me because of the smattering of events I had seen from inside the DreamWorks fold -- but having no idea what forces were at work far outside my view that caused them.
This was all the more fascinating to me because of the smattering of events I had seen from inside the DreamWorks fold -- but having no idea what forces were at work far outside my view that caused them.
May 24, 2010
Ben
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I've always been interested in the movie business, and this book certainly delivered an interesting look into DreamWorks, but because none of the three principles participated in the book, it felt a lot like "Here are the rumors that circulated as DreamWorks went through its various stages." Still, some good insights about how Katzenberg, Geffen, and Spielberg approach work.
Dec 15, 2011
Stephanie
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Describes the creation and development of DreamWorks by three giants in Hollywood entertainment, Steven Spielberg, David Geffen and Jeffrey Katzenberg. With three such over-sized personalities, the company was perhaps doomed from the start and this book chronicles in detail the highs and lows. The books does go into great detail about movie production and the roles of producers, directors, writers, etc. I found it all interesting as I didn't know the details of getting a movie made, but it co
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May 08, 2011
Wendy Darling
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A well-written, fascinating look at the founding and early days of Dreamworks SKG. It's interesting to learn more about each of the major players, as well as to mull over the astronomical sums spent/received on films. An immensely readable book for anyone who's interested in films.
Nov 17, 2011
Kristen
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I'm a fan of Hollywood stories and gossip and Nicole LaPorter gives that all while telling the story of Dreamworks Studios. I didn't know much about the formation of Dreamworks, just the aforementioned "men who would be king" but it is a compelling story. The book is intimidating at 500 pages but it moves quickly and is filled with juicy backstage tidbits involving celebrities and parties. All three men aren't saints, even Steven Spielberg, but they came together to create a studio
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Apr 05, 2011
Scott
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Terrific no-holds barred tale of the Dreamworks studio. Fascianting insight into the three studio heads-Geffen, Katzenberg and especially Spielberg, probably the most protected man in Hollywood-and the way show business has evolved to this point in time.
Jun 13, 2010
Carol
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This expose shows how greed, egos, and arrogance can ensure that even a "can't miss" enterprise can fail. I learned more about the inner conflicts of the entertainment industry than I would ever want to know. Entertaining and disappointing at the same time.
Jul 26, 2010
Chris
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Slow-going at first, but after the first 60 pages, LaPorte's tell-all really picks up steam. She gives equal time to Dreamworks' many successes and misfires and paints a fairly even-handed picture of three high-power entertainment big shots who are clearly very controlling of their individual and collective images.
Oct 15, 2010
S.
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I read about a third of this book. It's well written and dramatic but I couldn't stay focused on it so I stopped there. Since I'm not in the know about Hollywood, I felt like I needed a chart with everyone's names and what they do.
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Jul 10, 2010
OK
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Am I glad I left that world or what....
Still and all, the book managed to somehow paint both positive and negative images of the three DreamWorks principals and the quirky cast of character they interact with. I came away nether liking nor disliking any of them and actually started noticing which films in the children's dvd section had their label on it.
Still and all, the book managed to somehow paint both positive and negative images of the three DreamWorks principals and the quirky cast of character they interact with. I came away nether liking nor disliking any of them and actually started noticing which films in the children's dvd section had their label on it.
Aug 20, 2011
Pat
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Intriguing back story of the formation of the Dreamworks empire; and the egos that made it work; and helped it falter.
Jul 14, 2010
Bill
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Pretty good. Entertaining. Strangely Accurate and doesn't lose it's point throughout it. Not meandering, highly recommend.
Jul 13, 2010
David
rated it: 
It needed a good editor. Interesting subject, but a sluggish read. There were even several incomplete sentences.
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Dec 17, 2011
Mattdixon
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Interesting book to me because i know how the moviemaking system works. However, would not recommend it to non movie people because it tends to be very "inside" and repetitive.
Apr 24, 2010
Richard
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A great classic work of Hollywood history. Everyone should order and read today!
Aug 15, 2010
martha
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good way to absorb the Dreamworks story. I have visited Dreamworks corporate headquarters, so this was perhaps more interesting to me than for some. It's way too long.
I got to see an Oscar (for Shrek) in person!
I got to see an Oscar (for Shrek) in person!
May 26, 2011
Gary
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The book started off slow as it covered the upbring of Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and David Geffen once past the upbringing the story took off talking about the rise and (so called)fall of Dream Works. I can truly say that this is one book that I did not want to end. If you are a big movie fan or you just like reading about Hollywood I highly recommend this book to you. I also rediscovered past movies and found the inner stories on how they were made fascinating.
Jun 04, 2010
Jim
rated it:
a tour de force. if the cia had kremlinologists like laporte is to snackworks, we could have slashed our defense budget to the quick. Excellent work I couldn't wait to return to.
