Book SummaryWho Is Michael Ovitz?, by Michael Ovitz

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Who Is Michael Ovitz?

The growth and broadening of Creative Artists Agency's scope.

In this segment, the narrative highlights the strategies Michael Ovitz used to transform the talent agency sector, establishing Creative Artists Agency as a significant competitor to the prevailing power of the movie studios. Ovitz saw an opportunity to transform traditional business approaches by shifting from the usual agency operations to a model that emphasized teamwork and innovative tactics in advocating for artists.

Tactics utilized by Ovitz in establishing a leading agency.

The importance of collaboration in a field often marked by solo pursuits is highlighted by CAA's collective approach to advocating for its clients' interests.

Ovitz was of the opinion that the traditional setup, in which agents worked independently, was not optimal for leveraging their combined negotiating strength when dealing with film studios. Michael Ovitz and four of his associates from William Morris founded Creative Artists Agency, where they cultivated a collaborative environment right from the start, with agents sharing their lists of clients and joining forces to secure the best contracts and creative opportunities. The agency fostered a collaborative environment, setting it apart from other firms where disputes and rivalry over client rosters were typical, by encouraging the sharing of information and fostering solidarity among its employees and clients. The representatives from CAA demonstrated their collaborative spirit by attending movie screenings together and engaging in shared dialogues, which reinforced their united front and the notion of reciprocal backing.

The approach to structuring employee remuneration at Creative Artists Agency was characterized by a strong sense of teamwork. Ovitz revolutionized the talent representation industry by moving away from the traditional model where agents solely relied on commissions from their clients' contracts for income. At CAA, the compensation of agents was linked to the agency's overall success rather than the individual achievements of their clients. Ovitz advocated for a strategic approach that fostered a collaborative bond between the agency and its clientele, benefiting everyone involved. Ovitz revolutionized a traditionally competitive industry by encouraging collaboration and the pooling of clientele among agents.

The company's prowess was in its capacity to integrate all essential creative elements for television production internally, offering studios complete packages that came with pre-chosen talent.

Michael Ovitz and his team were resolute in their goal to create an agency structure that would facilitate active participation in the creative process, rather than just reacting to studio pitches for films and TV shows that included their clients. Borrowing techniques common in television production, Ovitz pioneered packaging – assembling the director, screenwriter, and lead actors for film or TV show in advance, developing a working concept that could be presented as a done deal to studios. This strategy significantly reduced the financial gamble for production companies when approving a project, since the principal artists were already on board. CAA deftly rose to the top of the industry by representing top-tier talent and ensuring that these artists worked alongside their chosen writers and directors, thus creating "pre-approved" pairings aimed at garnering both critical acclaim and financial success.

Studios were attracted to the comprehensive and streamlined services offered by CAA, which guaranteed contributions from top-tier creative professionals. Agents from a leading talent and sports agency frequently secured film material from book publishers, pinpointing narratives that would be suitable for cinematic adaptation, from the intense thrills of "The Firm" to the distinctive historical setting of "Shōgun." CAA played a significant role in the movie production workflow, contributing ideas for script improvements, selecting shooting sites, attending screenings, and aiding in the casting process. Ovitz pioneered a...

Who Is Michael Ovitz? Summary The Prominent Transactions and Principal Client Engagements of Ovitz

This section covers three of Ovitz’s key clients, demonstrating how his hands-on approach to representation and deal-making transformed their careers. Ovitz skillfully harnessed the agency's assets to match clients with projects that were ideally suited for them, guaranteeing mutual benefits for everyone involved.

Sean Connery

Michael Ovitz was instrumental in reinvigorating Sean Connery's acting career, which had suffered due to a series of unsuccessful films, by guiding him to roles in movies such as "Never Say Never Again." Michael Ovitz showcased his adeptness at guiding the trajectory of a client's career and rejuvenating their public persona through his involvement with The Untouchables.

Before collaborating with Creative Artists Agency, Sean Connery's professional path was on the decline. The once-vaunted star of the James Bond films hadn’t had a commercial hit in years and was taking on roles in films that Ovitz considered beneath him. Ovitz recognized that Connery had difficulty rejecting roles, opting to take on every opportunity that came his way rather than focusing on building his prestige. Michael Ovitz and his team steered Sean Connery toward roles...

Who Is Michael Ovitz? Summary Michael Ovitz's personal matters.

The autobiography of Ovitz discloses how his unwavering commitment to his career shaped his personality and outlook on an international level. Over time, his expertise in orchestrating agreements within the entertainment sector honed his ability to navigate and direct situations, which significantly advanced his career while simultaneously causing tension and a feeling of isolation in his personal relationships.

His outlook and character were molded through his significant position as a talent representative in the entertainment industry.

Michael Ovitz maintained a clear boundary between his personal affairs and professional duties, demonstrating the essential dispassion required for his role as an agent, and he consciously controlled his emotions to protect the welfare of both his clientele and the company.

Ovitz regarded the sector of talent representation as inherently based on transactions. Agents acted as the crucial link connecting creative individuals with organizations in need of their skills, with their effectiveness hinging on their ability to remain impartial towards all involved parties. Ovitz believed that it was crucial for an agent to remain...

Who Is Michael Ovitz? Summary Michael Ovitz's departure signified the conclusion of his time at Creative Artists Agency.

This section of the story explores the series of events that led to the deterioration of Ovitz's relationship with Ron Meyer, culminating in his exit from Creative Artists Agency. Having established the agency as the preeminent force in the industry, Ovitz's unyielding aspirations drove him to pursue a broader platform for his abilities. While considering his exit, he committed several errors that diminished his reputation and ultimately led to the dissolution of his tight bond with Meyer.

The perils of success

Michael Ovitz's ambitions were fueled by the impressive achievements of his agency, leading him to expand into areas such as mergers and marketing, demonstrating his quest for wider impact and his belief that the agency was just a stepping stone to more significant endeavors.

Michael Ovitz's confidence in his unmatched ability to solve problems grew while his agency, CAA, climbed to the top of the entertainment industry. He transformed a collection of former William Morris agents into a top-tier talent agency, was instrumental in the acquisition of major studios by Sony and Matsushita, and assisted his clients in achieving levels of success that exceeded their...

Who Is Michael Ovitz? Summary Ovitz’s Post-CAA Reinvention and Transition to Tech

This part explores the difficulties Ovitz faced when he moved into an environment where the conditions he was once familiar with were not as easily accepted after he left Creative Artists Agency. The downfall of his management and production company set the stage for a new chapter of heightened achievement in the tech hub commonly referred to as Silicon Valley.

His attempts to assume control of Disney did not succeed.

Michael Eisner's offer to share the CEO position led to a troubling period for Ovitz, whose influence waned rapidly over fourteen months due to Eisner's failure to support him, underscoring his difficulty in succeeding in a setting he couldn't control.

After concluding his time with Creative Artists Agency, Ovitz shifted his focus to Disney. Michael Eisner, the head of Disney, had been pursuing a partnership with him for some time, and with ABC's recent merger into the company, required an experienced executive to oversee everyday operations. Ovitz believed he would share the CEO role and its duties with Eisner, whom he had long considered a friend. His tenure at Disney, however, concluded in an unforeseen manner.

From the outset, Eisner was opposed to...