Review
Library Journal (starred review)
"This is sheer gold for anyone trying to break into the field of producing films, from finding material and pitching it to studio executives to follow-up marketing when the film is finally completed. Baum (writing this book with the help of her husband, seasoned screenwriter Tom Baum) is a creative producer who tackles each project from its inception, often selling the original idea to studios. The former copresident of Dolly Parton’s production company, Baum has produced 34 movies, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the remake of Father of the Bride, and the Oscar–winning documentary Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt. Baum pulls no punches discussing bad bosses she’s worked for, including film producer Jon Peters, whom she calls “a man without a work ethic or a moral center.” There are also fascinating tales of dealing with strong-minded talents, such as Barbra Streisand and Robert De Niro. Baum and her husband know what they’re talking about and express it succinctly in this scintillating primer on producing films. VERDICT Invaluable to readers seeking a career in the film-producing field, but lively enough to please a wide audience."
More Praise for Creative Producing and Carol Baum
"Carol is one of the most decent, capable, and talented people I’ve ever worked with. She was the heart and soul of my company Sandollar during the years that she was with us." ––Dolly Parton
"Carol Baum was the first real producer who saw my potential as a creator. She has always been one of the most astute, wise, kind, funny and indefatigable producers in our business and working with her was a total pleasure." ––Mike White, Writer/Director, The White Lotus, The Good Girl
"For a director, Carol Baum is a dream producer. She champions your vision, has your back when crises arise, offers astute feedback, and makes every member of the team feel valued. Most importantly, after having produced successful features in every genre over many decades, Carol remains as passionate about movies as ever." ––Ken Kwapis, Director, He's Just Not That Into You, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, The Larry Sanders Show, The Office
"Anybody and everybody would gain from Carol's wide-ranging experience and knowledge. I myself have had the pleasure of working with her and speak from personal experience." ––Larry Turman, Producer, The Graduate; Author of So You Want to Be a Producer; former Chair of USC's Peter Stark Producing Program for 30 years
"What does it take to be a success in this crazy business? Don’t ask me. I just work here. But I know someone who can fill you in on it all… Carol Baum. She has taste, talent, know-how, and a lifetime of experience as a successful working producer. So, crack this thing open and let her show you the ropes." ––Harvey Fierstein, Actor/Writer, Kinky Boots, Torch Song Trilogy, Hairspray, Tidy Endings
"I have yet to meet a sharper or more knowledgeable producer. I was in good hands with Carol Baum; you will be, too." ––Andy Breckman, Writer/Producer, Monk, Rat Race, I.Q.
"We wrote You Kill Me as a writing sample, honestly never dreaming it would get made. Carol Baum knew better than we did. She made our non-dream a splendid reality." ––Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely, Writers/Producers, Avengers: Endgame, The Gray Man, You Kill Me
"Carol Baum is all in on the creative process of filmmaking. Completely committed to her team, and like all good leaders she knows when to step in and also when to step back and let the process find its own rhythm. Having worked with her in production and development, her understanding of story and writing is one of her strongest suits. In a sometimes ruthless business it’s reassuring to know that you have a true pro like Carol in your corner." ––John Dahl, Director, The Last Seduction, You Kill Me, Ray Donovan, Yellowstone
"Carol Baum is a fantastic producer who understands filmmakers and storytelling and cinema as well as the ways to get films made and distributed." ––David O. Russell, Writer/Director, Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle
“Carol Baum has written the kind of book you can only write after a long and successful career. But more than this, it’s clear in that long career she was a keen observer of Hollywood and the people who strive, and often fail, to make entertainment. It’s a book full of wisdom, and that’s always in short supply.”
––Ken Aguado, Emmy-winning Producer and Screenwriter
“Were I just starting out, I would kiss your feet for providing this wonderful and insightful road map. To say it’s informative would be a gross understatement, as I can’t think of a single aspect of the business your book doesn’t cover! It lays out with great specificity, warmth, and humor how obtaining the seemingly impossible, namely a career in show business, is entirely within our grasp, providing, of course, we’re willing to do the work. I found it easy to read and highly entertaining.”
––Lewis Colick, Writer, October Sky, Ladder 49, Flamin’ Hot
“Marvelous... ate it all up... completely entertaining and engaging throughout... and I’ve read ’em all. Your book is fresh and up-to-the-minute, really useful and necessary and informative/insightful on every page; a compendium of wise and memorable advice.”
––Lem Dobbs, Writer, Dark City, The Limey, The Score
“It’s extremely hard to grasp the depth and breadth of the work producers do to get their projects made. [Creative Producing] managed to do it in an extremely accessible and entertaining way that should engage film students as well as people who are interested in how movies are created. … it’s going to be must-have reading for those who want to be producers or simply want to understand more about the process of making films or TV shows.”
––Jane Goldenring, Producer, My First Mister
“The book is wonderful. If I were interested in becoming a producer, or even just curious about what a producer does, I can't think of a better way of learning what the job is. … The substantive knowledge is invaluable, and the breadth and specificity of the practical tips are remarkable. What a fabulous introduction to Hollywood 101!”
––Paul Hirsch, Editor, Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Mission: Impossible
“This book should become a classic for every single film student. It’s so easy to read and … so loving about the business. A total and realistic guide for any future producer in how to navigate the “real” Hollywood. Bravo! It’s really crisp, clean, efficient, straight-forward. … Every film student in the world should buy it.”
––Howard Rosenman, Producer, Call Me by Your Name, Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt
“I just had the best afternoon reading your book, which is just great. I have a big mouth and will shout about it. I love the style in which you have written. Feels like we’re in a room together and you are telling me all this stuff. You’re hilarious, honest, and you’re funny. And I love how you pull no punches. I just love it.”
––Diane Sokolow, Executive and Producer
“I just finished reading it. And thought it was terrific. Comprehensive, illuminating, specific, detailed, down-to-earth, chock full of useful information, occasionally funny even, instructive, thoughtful, clever, witty, and dozens of other pertinent adjectives that don’t immediately come trippingly off the tongue. I wish I had the chance to read it when I first came to Hollywood, since your notes about pitching are so valuable. I enjoyed every page of it and hope that thousands will get a chance to, too.”
––Jim McBride, Director
“I love it so much. It’s such a generous gift to the young and aspiring producer. It was wildly entertaining and, in moments, very poignant and inspiring. I’m sure people will read this book for years to come. It should become a perennial.”
––Curtis Burch, Producer
About the Author
Carol Baum has produced 34 movies, 17 of them independently. As co-president of Sandollar Productions, Dolly Parton and Sandy Gallin’s production company, she produced such hits as Father of the Bride; the Academy Award-winning documentary Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt; Jacknife; Buffy the Vampire Slayer; Kicking and Screaming; and many more. As an indie producer, Baum's films include The Good Girl, My First Mister, and Boychoir, as well as television movies for Hallmark and several documentaries. Baum currently teaches producing in the Film and Television Production Division at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. She is also a mentor for the Peter Stark Producing Program at USC.
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