A Pound of Flesh: Perilous Tales of How to Produce Movies in Hollywood

by Art Linson

A Hollywood producer recounts his challenging experiences in Tinseltown, shedding light on the mystery behind movie making and describing his encounters with the likes of De Niro, De Palma, Sean Penn, and Sean Connery. 25,000 first printing.

Genres: Nonfiction, Film, Biography

195 pages, Hardcover

First published February 7, 1993

Reviews

[Jeremy Hornik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, a fast read. Organized in the stages of developing and producing a movie, so the movie you read about in the scriptwriting part, you might see again in the first screening part. I was most interested in the packaging section. Show Business! There’s no business like it, I hear.

[Stephen- Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

After bumping into Art a number of times over the years I was at WBM, (He managed the group Crazy Horse and Nils Loftgren) and following his film productions (I have all the contract briefs of his WB Pictures projects), I found three of his books to read...this being the first of the three.....! It chronicles his quest to become a film producer from leaving college through a few of his more successful productions.....And gives some pretty interesting "behind the scenes" stories.......People always make the mistake of wanting to read the bio of the famous singer, songwriter, band or actor, never realizing that their stories are so "tainted" by their own bias and blinders, and that the best stories about the entertainment business are from the manager, agents, publishers and others that make up the "support team" of that individual, who have all worked together to create their long lasting success and fame!

Though it gives some insights into the B.S. that everyone must deal with in film, because Art continues in that business and at the time perhaps was concerned about the possibility of some of the people he mentions in the book being a bit "sensitive" about how they might be presented or portrayed, I think he "holds back".....and would love to go over each chapter with him today and get the "real story" !

I enjoyed the book and would highly recommend it to any and all novices considering entering the film business.....!

[Chib Ofred]

Introduction of author and recommendation by one Ross A. prompted me search and look it up. I think an insider wealth of experience could throw lights on better approach to make way in the jungle of filmmaking for newbies like me.

Chib Ofred,Teetvee Media for Dean Suku Sitcoms

[Malcolm Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hilarious and instructive guide as to what it takes to be a producer in contemporary hollywood.I was sorry to reach the end.

[Tim]

Have you ever wondered what a Hollywood movie producer actually does? That's the rhetorical question on the back of my paperback copy. My answer was Huh, I sure have, so I picked up a copy from Babbitt's and had at it. (Turns out they basically put movies together and coordinate the executives and filmmakers. Who knew.) Linson is breezy and self-depreciating, and some of his stories are great, like the screenwriter who worked for months and months and then produced twelve pages with a promise for more. Quick read, worth checking out if you have an interest.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like that the author shifts from movie to movie when discussing the difference aspects of producing. The book mainly centers on two movies: one successful ("The Untouchables") and the other not so successful ("Where the Buffalo Roam"). It's a fairly quick read in an entertaining style.

[Mark Moran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Art Linson's fun and amazing stories about producing several of the best films of the 1980s. Great anecdotes about directors and actors as well as lessons from the studio trenches.

[David Belisle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inside the trenches of Hollywood movie-making. Some good behind-the-scenes stuff to chew on.