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Table of Contents
About the Book
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.
Product Details
- Publisher: S&S/Simon Element (November 11, 2025)
- Length: 272 pages
- ISBN13: 9781982189877
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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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