About the Book
An insider's look at Hollywood and how movies and television shows are made.
In Batman's Batman, Michael E. Uslan, executive producer of the Batman movie franchise, offers an insider's look at Hollywood and the process of how movies and television shows go from the drawing board to your screens.
Continuing the delightful tale of his adventures begun in The Boy Who Loved Batman, Uslan draws on both his successful and less successful attempts to bring ideas to the screen, offering a helpful, honest, and breezily told guide to producing films. From passion to promotion, from the initial pitch to selecting the best partners and packaging, Uslan reveals the 13 qualities essential to would-be producers.
A lively memoir and a valuable glimpse inside Hollywood rarely seen by the public, Batman's Batman is sure to please fans of Michael Uslan and the Batman franchise, but will also prove to be an invaluable resource for any aspiring producers, as he guides readers through the Land of Bilk and Money.
Table of Contents:
Foreword
Producer Prologue: The 13 "P's" of Producing
1. The PASSION
2. The PRAYER
3. The PREP
4. The PROCESS
5. The PARTNERS
6. The PITCH
7. The PACKAGING
8. The PROPERTY
9. The PRODUCTION
10. The POST
11. The PUBLICITY & PROMOTION
12. The PROFITS (?)
13. The PRIORITIES
Acknowledgments and Credits
About the Author :
Michael E. Uslan is Originator and Executive Producer of the Batman movie franchise. He was the first instructor to teach an accredited course on comic book folklore at any university. He is the author of The Boy Who Loved Batman.
Review :
Michael Uslan is one of the true legends of Hollywood! Without him, superhero movies would not be where they are today and graphic novel–based IPs would not be dominating the global box office. His decades-long fight to bring the true Batman to the big screen is the perfect example of how 'persistence' is that primary talent needed to achieve goals that most would think impossible. I hope this book helps inspire a new generation of producers as much as Michael has inspired me.
- Dimitri "Vegas" Thivaios, award-winning artist and producer Batman's Batman is a refreshing reminder that there are heroes among us, those who refuse to compromise their vision for a quick payday. Uslan's dedication to his vision of Batman as a dark, damaged angel of the night—and his willingness to fight for 10 years to see that vision realized—is a testament to his character, which was molded by his extraordinary family, and propelled him from the suburbs of New Jersey to the halls of Hollywood power.
- Kevin Conroy, the definitive voice of Batman from Batman: The Animated Series Great enterprises often take an equally great amount of time to come to fruition. The Greeks had laid siege to Troy for ten years, at a cost of many lives, before Odysseus got the bright idea to hide a few men inside a big wooden horse. And Michael Uslan spent an equal amount of time—from 1979 to 1989—on his own personal crusade to get a high-budget, adult-worthy film about Batman onto the big screen. Both men—the canny king of Ithaca and the New Jersey 'Boy Who Loved Batman'—deserve to be remembered and celebrated for a job well done!
- Roy Thomas, former editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics and co-creator of Wolverine This fascinating coming-of-age story is very inspiring for all ages but an especially vivid tale for young folks. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and so will you!
- Lea Thompson, Director, and star of the Back to the Future franchise Batman's Batman is an extraordinary tale of courage, tenacity, originality, and heart. It is an emotional roller coaster for anyone pursuing their dreams and finding their identity.
- Howard Deutch, director of Pretty in Pink, The Great Outdoors, and Grumpier Old Men Michael's passion and vision took a 21st-century no-brainer, where we have half a dozen actors playing Batman in various podcasts, films, and animated series, and forged it into existence in a time when no one believed it was a wise investment. Michael's shadow looms large over the entire Batman legacy. And from this Riddler's perspective, I'm very grateful.
- John Glover, Tony Award–winning actor and The Riddler in Batman: The Animated Series Batman's Batman is not just a book for Batman fans around the world, it's a life lesson guidebook that will help millions.
- Matthew Modine, filmmaker and actor, starring in The Dark Knight Rises As a child, my dear friend Michael was fascinated with comics. His fascination turned into a passion. His passion into an obsession. His obsession into a career. The result: millions of transformed happy comic fans. A life well lived!
- Greg Hildebrandt, internationally known fantasy and sci-fi artist, and designer of the original Star Wars movie poster and the Marvel Masterpieces card collection A fellow New Jerseyian, Michael talks about one of the keys to being a successful producer (and surviving) in this business is 'passion and storytelling.' Batman's Batman shows he is one of the best at both. His tales reveal his love for movies and the people who make them, not to mention what it takes to get things done. If you're a fan of Hollywood stories, as I am, you will enjoy this. As I did.
- Robert Wuhl, actor, writer, and a star of Tim Burton's Batman Michael Uslan's life is a dream come true. He's a true fan with an encyclopedic knowledge of comics who also had enough business savvy to become a player in Hollywood. Batman's Batman is an inspiring read!
- Reginald Hudlin, director and Academy Award–nominated producer I loved this book. Overflowing with tales of towering victories and crushing near-misses, Michael Uslan shows us the heart of a writer, the soul of a dreamer, and the burdensome gift of being unstoppable.
- Gail Simone, acclaimed writer of Batgirl, Wonder Woman, Birds of Prey, and Deadpool When Gotham City needed to be saved they called Batman. When Batman needed to be saved he called Michael Uslan. In this heartwarming and inspiring true story, Uslan takes us on a journey of passion and persistence and it's a ride every bit as fun as riding shotgun in the Batmobile. Batman's Batman is a must read.
- Ken Levine, Writer/producer MASH, Cheers, Frasier, and The Simpsons Impressively well written, organized and presented, Batman's Batman: A Memoir from Hollywood, Land of Bilk and Money is an extraordinary and inherently fascinating combination of person history and the film making process using one of Hollywood's most successful film franchises. An absolute 'must' for the legions of Batman fans, as well as aspiring film producers, Hollywood memoire enthusiasts, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject.
(Midwest Book Review)
