Welcome to the DMF! I'm Justin Younts, and today I have the pleasure of speaking with Tommy Burke, an assistant director with 30 years of experience in the film industry. Tommy has written a captivating book titled 'Not Just Sunglasses and Autographs,' where he shares his incredible journey through Hollywood. From his early days in Boston to working on major productions, Tommy's story is filled with humor, resilience, and valuable lessons. He talks about how he fell into the film industry, the importance of hospitality experience on set, and the challenges he faced, including battling cancer and living with Parkinson's. Tommy's insights into the film industry are not just entertaining; they are also inspiring. He emphasizes the importance of perseverance and adapting to challenges, making this conversation a must-listen for anyone interested in the film business. Join us as we dive into Tommy's experiences, his thoughts on the industry, and the wisdom he's gained along the way. Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker or just curious about the behind-the-scenes of Hollywood, this episode is for you!

I apologize for the audio issues.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:00:08 - Guest Introduction

00:00:52 - Early Life and Background

00:01:33 - Entry into the Film Industry

00:01:50 - St. Elsewhere and the Start of a Career

00:02:47 - Transition to AD

00:04:28 - Experience in the Hospitality Industry

00:06:18 - Experiences of Being Robbed

00:07:05 - First Big Show - Mermaids

00:08:22 - Role of an AD

00:09:27 - Marketing Strategies

00:09:58 - Working on Skin and Cancer Diagnosis

00:10:30 - Cancer Treatment

00:11:48 - Working During Cancer Treatment

00:12:49 - Breakdown on Set

00:14:12 - Revealing Cancer Diagnosis to Colleagues

00:15:00 - Chicago PD - The Favorite Job

00:16:06 - Diagnosis of Parkinson's

00:16:54 - Working on Chicago PD

00:17:06 - Experience with the Red Sox and the Partridge Family

00:17:08 - Emergency Vitamin Drink

00:18:03 - Working on Desperate Housewives

00:19:18 - Experience on Crocodile

00:19:19 - Directing Background

00:20:20 - Experience of Being on Strike

00:21:07 - Joining the DGA

00:24:47 - Writing a Book

00:25:56 - Experience on CSI Miami

00:30:54 - Experience with Toastmasters

00:32:12 - Living with Parkinson's

00:34:13 - Current State of Film Industry

00:34:17 - Unfortunate Experience While Producing a Film

00:34:59 - Experience on Phantoms

00:35:12 - Working with Peter O'Toole

00:37:35 - Experience with David Bowie

00:39:35 - Experience on Kibberley

00:40:21 - Podcasting Experience

00:42:32 - Daily Routines and Coping with Parkinson's

00:45:14 - Physical Fitness Routine

00:46:09 - Current Entertainment Preferences

00:50:38 - Favorite Monologue

00:50:49 - Discussing Classic Movies and The Godfather

00:52:08 - Favorite Movie and Acting Education

00:53:17 - How to Reach and Conclusion

⁠⁠https://store.bookbaby.com/book/not-just-sunglasses-and-autographs⁠