Mike Medavoy is a Hollywood rarity: a studio executive who, though never far from controversy, remained loved and respected through four decades of moviemaking. He helped bring to the screen some of the most acclaimed Oscar-winning films of our time, including Apocalypse Now, One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Amadeus, The Silence of the Lambs, Philadelphia, and Sleepless in Seattle.
Of course, there are the box-office disasters, which also have a place in his fascinating memoir, a pull-no-punches account of financial and political maneuvering, of creativity stymied, and of working with the industry’s brightest star power.
An eyewitness to Hollywood history in the making, Medavoy gives a powerful and poignant view of the past and future of a world he knows intimately.
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"I liked this memoir because it made the job of executives seem more personal. Medavoy showed that producers are more than just suits." — Ke (4 out of 5 stars)
"I liked this memoir because it made the job of executives seem more personal. Medavoy showed that producers are more than just suits."
“A wonderfully readable book.”
“What follows are words from the heart: I cannot think of anyone who could have more faithfully chronicled the history of the movie business.”
“The best book on Hollywood I’ve ever read.”
“A decent, intelligent book about a business that is often neither.”
“A revealing glimpse into the mind of the studio executive.”
“Brisk, conversational, and intelligent writing supported by Robertson Dean’s equally intelligent and ingenuous read provides a deeply informative listen.”
“An engrossing exploration of what really makes Hollywood tick.”
" Medavoy's somewhat candid take on his hits and misses, though, like most execs., takes way too much credit for the hits. "
" I like this one. It was an interesting look at the behind the scenes work of producers and others in the movie industry "
Mike Medavoy started his career in the mailroom of Universal Studios. He became a talent agent at age twenty-four, joined United Artists, went on to co-found Orion Pictures, and then became chairman of Sony’s TriStar Pictures. In 1994, he formed Phoenix Pictures.
Robertson Dean has played leading roles on and off Broadway and at dozens of regional theaters throughout the country. He has a BA from Tufts University and an MFA from Yale. His audiobook narration has garnered ten AudioFile Earphones Awards. He now lives in Los Angeles, where he works in film and television in addition to narrating.
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