How to Score in Hollywood

Secrets to Success in the Movie Business

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About the Book

Go behind the scenes of the movie business as entertainment strategist Kevin Goetz reveals how creative instinct, audience insight, and smart data work together—from development through marketing and release—to increase a film’s potential for financial success.

How to Score in Hollywood explores the essential elements behind financially successful filmmaking. Drawing on nearly four decades of experience in the entertainment industry, audience expert Kevin Goetz reveals how creative instinct, audience insight, and smart data can work together—and why every movie, if made and marketed for the right price, should make money.

Expanding on the principles introduced in his bestselling first book, Audience-ology, Goetz examines the key decisions that influence a film throughout its lifecycle, from development through marketing and release, while always maintaining an appreciation for filmmaking as an art form.

Key insights include:

- Building a strong commercial foundation
- Identifying the right audience from the start
- Using audience research to uncover strengths and red flags
- Standing out in a crowded marketplace
- Planning for a film’s entire lifecycle

Filled with industry stories, entertaining personal experiences, and actionable advice, How to Score in Hollywood offers a fresh perspective on navigating a business filled with risk and uncertainty. Whether you’re a filmmaker, studio executive, entrepreneur, student, or movie lover, the book provides an illuminating look at the creative and business decisions behind how movies are made, marketed, and released.

About the Author

Photography by Greg Gorman

Kevin Goetz is the founder and CEO of Screen Engine/ASI, a global leader in entertainment research and strategy, serving all the major film studios, television networks, and streaming services. Throughout his career, he has been at the forefront of Hollywood, having personally tested over five thousand film titles, and his work significantly impacts how movies are made, marketed, and released. In 2024, Kevin received American Cinematheque’s prestigious Power of Cinema Award for his contributions to the film industry. He is the author of the bestselling Audience-ology and How to Score in Hollywood, which explores the secrets to success in the movie business. Kevin hosts the popular Don’t Kill the Messenger podcast and continues educating the filmmaking community through keynote speeches and global presentations. He has produced twelve TV movies, including the Emmy Award–winning Wild Iris, and the documentary Children in the Fire. A member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Television Academy, and the Producers Guild of America, Kevin also serves on the boards of six nonprofit organizations. He currently resides in Beverly Hills with his husband, Neil, and their labradoodle, Kasha.

Product Details

  • Publisher: S&S/Simon Element (November 11, 2025)
  • Length: 272 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781982189860

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Raves and Reviews

“There is simply no one who knows the inside details of the movie business as well as Kevin Goetz. He’s the first person I turn to when I want to understand what connects with audiences. How to Score in Hollywood is the quintessential road map for how to navigate the art of making successful movies. Whether you’re a novice or a veteran, if you’re serious about filmmaking, I have three words for you: Read. This. Book.” —Peter Chernin, founder and CEO of the Chernin Group and former chairman and CEO of Fox Inc.

“In How to Score in Hollywood, Kevin distills decades of wisdom into a powerful guide that explores the essential blend of artistic ambition and commercial strategy. His principles and philosophy have helped Mattel turn bold ideas into global resonance and lasting impact. It’s a must-read road map for anyone in the business of entertainment.” —Ynon Kreiz, chairman and CEO of Mattel, Inc.

“As a keen writer and provocative data-meister, Kevin Goetz has become a fascinating cultural link between the aspirations of filmmakers and the appetites of audiences. His books provide vivid insights into the hopes and occasional despair of creatives as they shape their projects and convey the urgent pressures on key decision-makers as they build their slates for an ever-changing demographic.” —Peter Bart, former editor in chief of Variety and former executive vice president of production for Paramount Pictures

“While rooted in the film industry, How to Score in Hollywood is packed with concepts that apply to any business. Kevin Goetz lays out clear, actionable blueprints for knowing your audience, managing risk, and bringing vision into strategic focus. It’s a smart guide for anyone looking to turn ideas into profitable outcomes.” —the honorable Maria Contreras-Sweet, twenty-fourth administrator of the Small Business Administration

“If Audience-ology was about audience reaction, How to Score in Hollywood is about strategic creation. Goetz shows how to apply audience insight throughout the filmmaking process to align creativity with commercial success.” —Jason Blum, founder and CEO of Blumhouse Productions

"How do you make work that thrills and endures? Start with a bold idea, know exactly who it’s for, and course-correct early. Kevin translates decades of hard-won insight into clear and practical steps, showing that smart testing elevates vision rather than diluting it. A must-read for filmmakers and executives alike." —Janet Yang, award-winning producer and former president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

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