Alex Ross

Dr. Alexander Ross, FRHistS, is a multi-talented author and film producer. With a diverse range of literary works and a strong background in the film industry, Dr. Ross brings a fresh perspective to the entertainment landscape. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (FRHistS).

He has just published his latest book available on Amazon etc. "The Evolution of Hollywood's Calculated Blockbuster Films: Blockbusted."

“Alexander Ross outlines in extensive and unique detail how studios make money not just on blockbusters, but also eventually from all movies. He uses his vast experience, inside knowledge, and scholarly expertise to lay out both the successes and the mistakes of the ‘blockbuster era.’ I highly recommend this book to scholars in film studies and business, film school students working toward a career in the film industry, and budding film producers and studio executives.”
-- Hal Lieberman, former president of production at Universal Pictures

The entire sub-text of the book is about screenwriting: What Coppola went through on The Godfather. Spielberg and Gottlieb re-writing Jaws every night after the day's shoot (I interviewed Carl several times). Lucas' travails on the Star Wars script are legendary, but I found new insights. Zemeckis and Gale with Back to the Future, again all about the script, "We are Disney and you guys bring us a script about incest?".

“Alexander Ross highlights how creative entrepreneurs saved the Hollywood studios in the 1970s by establishing the calculated blockbuster, consisting of key replicable markers of success, as Hollywood's preeminent business model. Ross demonstrates how visionary individuals such as Coppola, Spielberg, Lucas, and Zemeckis helped create the modern, calculated blockbuster business model (BBM). However, with the rise of streaming giants and the studios struggling to compete, many consumers of entertainment now elect to partake from the comfort of their homes, making the difference between “cinema” and “television” anachronistic. Revisiting the history of those 1970s blockbusters and their ongoing impact on contemporary filmmaking, Ross offers distinct analysis on whether the calculated blockbuster can continue to lead, or if the streamers will continue to generate their own content and, eventually, fully control the dissemination process. For scholars and students in film, pop culture and business along with aspiring filmmakers, screenwriters, producers and executives, the book will be a valued resource”.