The Hollywood Job-Hunter's Survival Guide: An Insider's Winning Strategies for Getting That (All-Important) First Job...and Keeping It

Hugh Taylor has done a fantastic job with this book. I couldn't have asked for a more informative, easy to read and straight forward guide to what I can expect as an assistant. I can't put it down. This book isn't full of funny anecdotes or silly one liners like some books about being an assistant, rather, it's more of a reference guide. Taylor's is a well written book that reads like a conversation and is peppered with quotes from industry executives who give advice from their own experiences, but more importantly, share what they seek in an assistant. The title is a bit deceiving since the book focuses more on what you'll do when you get the job (although there is a pivotal second chapter on resumes, cover letters and interviewing that shouldn't be skipped). The other chapters are a laundry list of every assistants duties: telephones, scheduling appointments, script coverage, crisis management, development, production, travel and how to keep it all organized. I also found the appendices particularly helpful as a starting point to finding restaurants, hotels and how to read the box office and tv ratings. The only reason this book didn't get a fifth star is because it's a bit out of date. In this age of PDAs, Blackberry and web enhanced cell phones an assistant HAS to go in with a strong working knowledge of modern technology. (If you don't, go out and buy a "Complete Idiots Guide" or a "Dummies Guide".) When the book was published in 1993 the internet was a relatively new invention (thank you, Mr. Gore) and hadn't reached its resourcefulness that it has today. Thus, Taylor can't provide the web-based resources available for assistants (such as ifilmpro.com). But by all means, DO NOT skip this book simply because it doesn't have the current technology mumbo-jumbo, buy this book because it gives you an invaluable look into how to run an efficient industry office. I plan to keep my copy in my desk, when I get one.NB: I highly recommend buying a book such as "Reading for a Living" which outlines how to "cover" scripts in further detail (Taylor's book does any excellent job providing a starting point). This is a key aspect of this job, no matter who you work for, and one of the biggest responsibilities but unfortunately not many have experience doing it or feel comfortable with their coverage writing.

Hugh Taylor's book is excellent preparation for an aspiring producer. The author takes you through an average day's dirty laundry by providing real-life PAs and what they did during their tenure. My one problem is that the book is 7 years old and Taylor's film and TV examples are very dated.

Anyone who saw the film "Swimming with Sharks" can get a pretty accurate idea of how difficult and demanding a Hollywood office job is. Between brewing the perfect cup of coffee, answering continuous phone calls, and taking flak from the boss, it can be rather difficult to keep one's sanity, let alone personal dignity. "The Hollywood Job-Hunter's Survival Guide" is an indispensable resource for anyone interested in walking into a trial by fire. In it, you will learn all the tricks of the trade, including the often underestimated skill of "working the phones". How, for example, can you put off a call from Steven Spielberg when your boss is in the office, but for whatever reason, doesn't want to talk to anyone? According to the book, never say "He's not in"-- a foolproof response is "He's on international conference call". If you call the office of producer Scott Rudin for your boss, but the man isn't in, you will of course "leave word" with the office. These are just brief examples of the many seemingly simple, but more complicated aspects of office terminology and politics. Beyond giving a thorough description of office etiquette, author Hugh Taylor discusses other important topics, including movie and television finance. If you have your heart set on taking a gamble at a Hollywood job, read this book first. It will save you a lot of grief