Whether you want to write about or pursue a career in Hollywood, you'll learn the lingo, business protocol and physical geography that characterize this famed city, featuring movie deals and money jargon, from net profits and points to first-dollar gross and boot strapping; a historic timeline of L.A. and Hollywood covering everything from the birth of the "star system" through today's monster-budget hits and disasters; charts detailing the structure of agencies, studios, networks and production companies; common studio occupations, such as gaffers, best boys and script doctors with details on salaries, unions and job requirements; how Hollywood deals with ageism, racism and homophobia, along with the most comprehensive listing of Hollywood minority organizations; and detailed glossaries, plus information on hundreds of additional resources from libraries and museums to websites and movies.