The First Time I Got Paid For It Writers' Tales From The Hollywood Trenches

The First Time I Got Paid for Itis a one-of-a-kind collection of essays by more than fifty leading film and television writers, with a foreword by screenwriting legend William Goldman. Linked by the theme of a writer's "first time"usually the first time he got paid for his work, but sometimes veering off into other, more unconventional, "first times"these always entertaining (and sometimes hilarious) pieces share what it takes to succeed, what it takes to write well, and other aspects of maintaining creativity and integrity while striving for a career in Hollywood. Richard LaGravanese (The Fisher King,The Horse Whisperer,Living Out Loud) confesses that his first paid writing job was crafting phone-sex scripts. Nicholas Kazan (Reversal of Fortune,Matilda) explains why, in Hollywood, an oral "yes" often turns out to be a written "no." Peter Casey writes about the unparalleled pitch meeting for the award-winning seriesFrasier. Virtually every big-name writer in Hollywood has contributed to this collection, making it essential research material for anyone trying to make it in the entertainment industry, and a perfect read for movie and television buffs everywhere.

Peter Lefcourt is a screenwriter and the author of numerous novels including The Woody and The Dreyfus Affair. He lives in Los Angeles. Laura J. Shapiro is a writer and producer living in Santa Monica. Laura J. Shapiro is a writer and producer living in Santa Monica.