It's All Lies and That's the Truth : And 49 More Rules from 50 Years of Trying to Make a Living in Hollywood

by Brillstein, Bernie; Rensin, David

• ISBN13: 9781592401604
• ISBN10: 1592401600
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-10-20
• Publisher: Gotham

Summary

Legendary Hollywood supermanager and producer Bernie Brillstein reveals his collection of wisdom gleaned from his fifty years of insight, instinct, and experience in both business and life.An uncommon collection of common sense, The Little Stuff Matters Mostdelivers the hard and fast lessons of Brillstein’s unparalleled business experience in fifty pithy, wise, and completely entertaining essays. Brillstein, whose name is synonymous with some of the highest-profile Hollywood careers, shares these invaluable lessons in the clever, unfailingly honest, and inimitable tone for which he is known and loved. Memorable tips include: -Know the difference between hot” and good” -Only doctors and hookers need pagers -Don’t pet the snakes -Have an opinion, even it it’s wrong -It’s all lies, and that’s the truth -When your time has come, success will find you -The stomachache—and other gastrointestinal warnings Each of the book’s fifty Bernie-isms” is followed by refreshing commentary, peppered with colorful tales from Bernie’s career and clever drawings by acclaimed New Yorkercartoonist David Sipress. This book is the next best thing to having your own personal manager on call 24/7—without having to fork over 15 percent of your paycheck. This is the best self-help book I’ve read in years. The Little Stuff Matters Mostshould be required reading for everybody—and it’s funny, too!”—Larry King

Author Biography

Bernie Brillstein is the founding partner of Brillstein-Grey Entertainment, the most powerful management/production company in Hollywood. His current personal clients include Rob Lowe, Wayne Brady, Martin Short, and Saturday Night Live creator/producer Lorne Michaels. During his career, Brillstein has also represented Jim Henson, John Belushi, Gilda Radner, and many others. He is also the author, with David Rensin, of Where Did I Go Right?: You-'re No One in Hollywood Unless Someone Wants You Dead.
David Rensin has coauthored eleven books and five New York Times bestsellers. His latest is the bestselling The Mailroom: Hollywood History from the Bottom Up.

Table of Contents

Introduction	xi
The Little Stuff Matters Most	1	(4)
First, Put Yourself in the Game	5	(2)
Know the Difference Between Hot and Good	7	(4)
No One Is Ever Scared of a Fat Man	11	(2)
Tell 'Em Your Name Even If They Already Know It	13	(2)
It's All Lies, and That's the Truth	15	(4)
Good Cop/ Bad Cop Means There's Two Bad Cops	19	(4)
Sublimate Your Ego for Cash---and Other Ways to Get What You Want	23	(4)
If You Want to Make a Great Deal You Have to Be Willing to Blow a Great Deal	27	(6)
Always Have a Backup Plan	33	(4)
If You Can't Whip It Out, Don't Play the Game	37	(4)
Success Begins with Being Yourself	41	(4)
It Never Gets Better Than the First Date	45	(2)
Winners Make the Tough Calls	47	(2)
Have an Opinion Even If It's Wrong	49	(2)
Follow the Loser	51	(2)
God Helps Himself; You've Got to Ask	53	(2)
Always Smell the Room	55	(4)
Never Trust a Man Who Walks You to the Elevator with His Arm Around Your Shoulder	59	(4)
There's No Such Thing As a Good Divorce	63	(4)
He F****D Me but Now We're Best Friends Again --- Because We Really Need Each Other	67	(4)
I Haven't Heard from Him, He Must Be Doing Well	71	(2)
Don't Confuse Business Friends with Real Friends	73	(4)
When Your Time Has Come, Success Will Find You	77	(4)
Don't Pet the Snakes	81	(2)
Let Your Enemy Bury Himself	83	(4)
Always Trust a Stomachache and Other Gastrointestinal Warnings	87	(2)
Just Don't Talk Behind My Back in Front of Me	89	(4)
Deliver Bad News Quickly	93	(2)
No Call Is the Same As Calling to Say No	95	(2)
Let the Guy Who's Paid to Decide, Decide	97	(4)
It's Not Over Until You Walk out the Door	101	(4)
Sometimes the Only Way to Get Ahead Is to Leave the Company	105	(4)
The Best Way to Take Failure and Rejection Is to Wallow in It	109	(4)
Don't Confuse Ego with Self-Confidence	113	(4)
The Other Guy's Not As Smart As Either of You Think He Is	117	(2)
Leaders Don't Always Have to Be Assholes	119	(4)
Don't Be Afraid of Fear	123	(4)
Nothing Is Brain Surgery Except Brain Surgery	127	(4)
First It's About the Idea, Then It's About the Money	131	(2)
Real Men Get Nervous	133	(2)
Keep the Odds Even and You Might Survive	135	(4)
Talent Only Sleeps, It Never Dies	139	(4)
Only Doctors and Hookers Need Pagers	143	(4)
Don't Stiff the Help and They Won't Stiff You	147	(4)
You Can Never Get Back from the Future	151	(2)
Just Give Me the Gift Bag and Let Me Go Home	153	(4)
Carry a Big Stick But Have a Bigger Heart	157	(2)
What's the Big Deal? We're All Going to Die	159	(4)
Someone Up There Is Watching	163	(4)
Acknowledgments	167