Four books for understanding film finance

For the wider industry: Entertainment Industry Economics

Harold L. Vogel’s reference work is the broad starting point. Choose it to connect film with other entertainment sectors and understand the economic and accounting framework around the business. It is the reference route for readers who want a framework they can return to.

Read the Entertainment Industry Economics review.

For deal structure: The Biz

Schuyler M. Moore’s book focuses on the business, legal and financial structure of filmmaking. Choose it when your question concerns the way a deal is assembled. Pair the full review of The Biz with the 2019 Sky Moore interview for the author’s career and practitioner perspective.

For studio economics: The Hollywood Economist 2.0

Edward Jay Epstein offers a more narrative introduction to the business behind public box-office figures. Choose this as a historical entry point into studio revenue models before moving into more technical reading. Read The Hollywood Economist review.

For participation accounting: Movie Money

Bill Daniels, David Leedy and Steven Sills address the definitions, deductions and accounting behind profit participation. This is the specialist route for reading participation statements and understanding how contractual economics reach the accounts. Read the Movie Money review, then connect it to the collection-account interview.

Use the reviews to choose an edition

Each review covers a particular work and context. Check the edition discussed and the edition available to buy, especially for tax, accounting and market details. The reviews include purchase links; the disclosure page explains the site’s affiliate arrangements and giving policy.

Browse all book reviews or start with the film-finance interviews.