This information-packed text book about the film business is based on a course taught by the authors at Metropolitan College of New York.  Readers outside of the collegiate life should note that the course falls within the College’s Masters of Business Administration Media Management Program as opposed to a filmmaking or film technology program that pays more attention to the art form.  As such, This Business of Film explains film development, financing, production, distribution, exhibition, marketing, etc. from a strictly business point of view.

The book begins with a history of film from early monopolies and the birth of sight and sound all the way to current developments including the rise of independents, multiplexes, computer-designed digital special effects, growth of DVDs, and Internet Protocol Television.  This Business of Film then moves on to an overview of movies, providing key characteristics and the structure of the film industry. Each of the nine chapters contains incredible amounts of information. An occasional chart also helps describe the business flow.

Of the 347-page book, the text itself is only 174 pages. Careful readers will appreciate the economy of words as there’s not a wasted sentence or bit of filler here.  The rest of the book provides appendices loaded with handy reference tools including contracts, reports, statements, forms, and agreements such as an Actor Employment Agreement, Product Placement Release, and Film Soundtrack Composer Agreement.

The final appendices offer other helpful listings including U.S. film production incentives (state by state) and film festival listings. Although the text was designed to accompany class lectures and presentations by the authors, the book stands alone as a comprehensive examination of case studies and revealing analysis about how the production, distribution, and exhibition of film relies on business interests.