Hollywood Confessional

Who knows what really goes on behind the scenes in Hollywood? Crew members, that's who. This week, we're sharing a confession from a lighting technician who has worked on dozens of films and TV series, witnessing some intense safety issues and some jaw-dropping work environments. We hear stories of rigging across mountaintops and frozen waterfalls, almost killing someone with a tree, and finally how a bad boss led our confessor to refuse to work on one famous show ever again. Find out how safety on set depends on who's running the show, how those on non-union sets are often more exposed to danger, and what makes working tough jobs in the entertainment industry rewarding. Join us in the booth!

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Check out some of our favorite shows:

• Screenwriters' Rant Room
• Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss
• It Happened in Hollywood
• The Secret History of Hollywood

Hollywood Confessional is a Ninth Way Media production, produced by Meagan Daine and J.R. Zamora-Thal.

Sound Effects and Music provided by Zapsplat and Pixabay.

Keywords: filmmaking podcast, film podcast, screenwriting podcast, entertainment podcast, Hollywood, filmmaking, writerslife, actorslife, setlife

Fellowship and festival season is upon us! And as we continue to support #WGA writers in their efforts to make Hollywood a happier place, we also celebrate the intrepid spirits of all those who dare to enter competitions. This week our confessor navigates the trials and tribulations of festival season successfully... only to learn that even when you win, it's not all laurels. Thanks for tuning in! 

Connect with us:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Website

Check out some of our favorite shows:

• Screenwriters' Rant Room
• Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss
• It Happened in Hollywood
• The Secret History of Hollywood

Hollywood Confessional is a Ninth Way Media production, produced by Meagan Daine and J.R. Zamora-Thal.

Sound Effects and Music provided by Zapsplat and Pixabay.

Keywords: filmmaking podcast, film podcast, screenwriting podcast, entertainment podcast, Hollywood, filmmaking, writerslife, actorslife, setlife

TRIGGER WARNING: This week's story involves drug use. If this could be distressing to you, please skip this episode and join us next week.

“I’m at a party. Somebody goes into their pocket and pulls out five or six pills. And I take all of them, and I eat them. About 15 minutes later, I’m not feeling good. I think I’m about to throw up. I’m by the sink. I look in the cupboard, and there’s a filter. So I grab a coffee filter. I lean over the sink, and I throw up into the coffee filter. And then I squeeze it, open the filter. And there are the pills. And I take the pills and take a beer, and I swallow them again. That’s the kind of addict I was.”

In today’s episode, we hear from an actor whose brilliant career fell apart due to their addictions to drugs and alcohol. From booking several roles a month at 19 to becoming a final contender for a series lead, our confessor’s meteoric rise coincided with an increasingly habit of using… which ultimately brought it all crashing down.

“I thought talent was everything. I thought, I’m not the first guy to have issues with drugs or alcohol. Let’s figure it out. I’m worth it. But within a few years, I had nothing. I blew all the money. I didn’t have anything left.”

Redemption didn’t come easily for our confessor. They continued to book roles because of their talent, but marijuana and cocaine eventually led to more ravaging addictions… and trouble with the law. They only survived, as our confessor puts it, because angels were looking out for them… just long enough to bring our confessor to the point where they were ready to get the help they needed.

In this episode, we hear how addiction can completely take over the life of an artist, and at least one of the reasons why. We also hear a profoundly moving tale of redemption, as our confessor finally figures out what it takes to come clean.

"Coming Clean" is very important to us, and we hope this story will inspire our fellow entertainment industry professionals who are also struggling with addiction. Let us know what you think on Twitter or Instagram @fessuphollywood. And please leave us a review and rating here! We’ll be back in two weeks with another episode of Hollywood Confessional.

Other episodes we think you'll enjoy:

“The Comeback” - A fearless aspiring filmmaker scores a job directing a studio feature right out of college. But when it turns out not to be the big break they expect, they must f

Connect with us:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Website

Check out some of our favorite shows:

• Screenwriters' Rant Room
• Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss
• It Happened in Hollywood
• The Secret History of Hollywood

Hollywood Confessional is a Ninth Way Media production, produced by Meagan Daine and J.R. Zamora-Thal.

Sound Effects and Music provided by Zapsplat and Pixabay.

Keywords: filmmaking podcast, film podcast, screenwriting podcast, entertainment podcast, Hollywood, filmmaking, writerslife, actorslife, setlife

Ever thought about making your own movie? Maybe considered the advice “If you want to be a filmmaker, just shoot a film!” It sounds simple. But take it from our confessor: Do-it-yourselfing can be a dangerous (and expensive) business!

In this week’s confession, we hear from a gung-ho aspiring director who gets tired of
waiting for something to happen in their career and decides to take action to achieve theirdream. Unlike some Hollywood hucksters, however, our confessor isn’t comfortable claiming to be something they’re not. So they do it the hard way…

“My level of work ethic, first, and dignity, second, tells me I cannot wear a title if I
have not earned it. But I started to realize the things I wanted to do cost money.
Like, a LOT of money.”

After years of frustration, they join a collective of artists who claim they’re all going to
volunteer time to work on each other’s short films… only to discover that no one in the group wants to produce. So our confessor realizes that if they want to direct, they’re going to have to do the whole thing on their own.

“If I don’t move the needle, nothing will move. Because who’s going to do it? Who’s
going to do anything for me if I don’t do it for myself?”

Determination and self-reliance lead our confessor down a path riddled with crazy
setbacks and miraculous breakthroughs. Ultimately the film gets made… but will it make their career?

In this episode, we get into the following:        
1. How to make your own short film
2. How to work with actors (when they don’t want to work with you)
3. How to deal with setbacks in your creative career

As content creators ourselves, this story really resonates with us. We’d love to hear what you think! Shoot us a note about when you tried to make your own film @fessuphollywood, or leave us a review here.

Other episodes we think you'll enjoy:

“The Comeback” - A fearless aspiring filmmaker scores a job directing a studio feature right out of college. But when it turns out not to be the big break they expect, they must find a way to stay in the game through 25 years of diminishing returns.

"Clipboard Girl" - A tough aspiring filmmaker faces a disaster her first day on set but finds a way to turn it into a win for her career.

“Resting Smile Face” & “The M

Connect with us:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Website

Check out some of our favorite shows:

• Screenwriters' Rant Room
• Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss
• It Happened in Hollywood
• The Secret History of Hollywood

Hollywood Confessional is a Ninth Way Media production, produced by Meagan Daine and J.R. Zamora-Thal.

Sound Effects and Music provided by Zapsplat and Pixabay.

Keywords: filmmaking podcast, film podcast, screenwriting podcast, entertainment podcast, Hollywood, filmmaking, writerslife, actorslife, setlife

Money. Fame. That nagging feeling that you might have given up everything you believed in to get the one thing you wanted. 

In this week’s confession, we hear from a feature film writer who experienced all this and more. Well, maybe not the fame part. And… not a ton of money, now that we think about it. But they definitely sold out for a glimpse of Hollywood glory.

“The whole ‘artist’ thing – whatever I once felt like I needed to say – that was completely gone. I was ready to make a deal. A thousand bucks for the option, and I was in.” 

The deal seemed like a great idea at first. They survived development hell, got to call themself a professional screenwriter. But once the film finally got the green light, they learned selling out has its own price.

“So many things were happening. They were picking locations, hiring a DP, holding auditions – and they cast [BLEEP BLEEP] as the lead! But I barely got to see any of this. I just heard it was happening through the grapevine. In essence, it was like my part was finished.”

In this episode, we discuss:

1.    How to manage FOMO when the movie you spent years working on is being made without you

2.    Why screenplay options should really be more than a thousand bucks

3.    How to make the most of your three days on set when the director is crying and the star has locked himself in his trailer

We wrap up this episode with a shoutout to some industry professionals who saved our butts more than once while we were working on location in Toronto – the transportation crew! These folks don’t often get a lot of shine, but they should! They start work before anyone else, and their days don’t end until everyone gets home safely. Thanks to all the transpo pros out there for making Hollywood a happier place! 

If you know someone who deserves a shoutout, or if you have a story you’re dying to get off your chest, let us know on Twitter or IG @fessuphollywood. 

And please leave us a review and rating here! We’ll be back in two weeks with another episode of Hollywood Confessional.

Other episodes we think you'll enjoy:

“The Comeback” - A fearless aspiring filmmaker scores a job directing a studio feature right out of college. But when it turns out not to be the big break they expect, they must find a way to stay in the game through 25 years of diminishing returns.

“

Connect with us:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Website

Check out some of our favorite shows:

• Screenwriters' Rant Room
• Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss
• It Happened in Hollywood
• The Secret History of Hollywood

Hollywood Confessional is a Ninth Way Media production, produced by Meagan Daine and J.R. Zamora-Thal.

Sound Effects and Music provided by Zapsplat and Pixabay.

Keywords: filmmaking podcast, film podcast, screenwriting podcast, entertainment podcast, Hollywood, filmmaking, writerslife, actorslife, setlife

Hustlers will stop at nothing to make it in Hollywood. So what happens when something stops them? 

In this week’s confession, a determined up-and-coming actor decides to break into the business by any means necessary. Stealing passwords, going through garbage – they’ll do anything to achieve their goal. And at first, the hustle pays off!

“I would go from casting office to casting office with a bag of different clothes – like I had a ‘bad girl’ outfit and a ‘nerdy secretary’ – and see who was in the waiting room and if I could see the sides on the walls. And that is how I booked a national commercial.”

But when you’re pursuing a career in the entertainment industry, one break rarely gets you all the way in. For this confessor, that first national commercial was just one step down a seemingly endless road. And as their career progressed, crashing auditions got more complicated, forcing them to question their choices.

“Around age 30, I started to get fed up. With acting, and with the grind. All of it… and then one day, my apartment got burglarized.”

In this episode, we get into the following: 

1.    How to break in as an actor by any means necessary (don’t try this at home!)

2.    How to create opportunities for yourself, even without support

3.    How to find your true passion

Finally, we top off the episode with a shoutout to a Hollywood pioneer in the animation industry who’s helping up-and-coming animators achieve their dreams – Rose Duignon. Huge thanks to Rose for making Hollywood a happier place!

If you know someone who deserves a shoutout, let us know on Twitter or IG @fessuphollywood. And please leave us a review and rating here! We’ll be back in two weeks with another episode of Hollywood Confessional.

Other episodes we think you'll enjoy:

"Clipboard Girl" - A tough aspiring filmmaker faces a disaster her first day on set but finds a way to turn it into a win for her career.

“Resting Smile Face” & “The Method” - A PA learns that their friendly face might encourage a-holes to ask for favors. An aspiring actor deals with a shady coach who was really teaching people to bully.

Connect with us:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Website

Check out some of our favorite shows:

• Screenwriters' Rant Room
• Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss
• It Happened in Hollywood
• The Secret History of Hollywood

Hollywood Confessional is a Ninth Way Media production, produced by Meagan Daine and J.R. Zamora-Thal.

Sound Effects and Music provided by Zapsplat and Pixabay.

Keywords: filmmaking podcast, film podcast, screenwriting podcast, entertainment podcast, Hollywood, filmmaking, writerslife, actorslife, setlife

What if you got your first big break in Hollywood at age 24… and then didn’t get another for 25 years?

In this incredible first confession of our second season, we hear from a fearless aspiring filmmaker who scored a job directing a studio feature film when they were barely out of college. But as thrilling as it sounds, the experience wasn’t what they expected…

"One day about halfway through, I woke up in my hotel room after 12 hours of sleep, and I couldn’t move. I laid in the bed. Looked at the ceiling, and I was like, it’s only week three. I have four more weeks. I’m not going to make it.”

After enduring the intense highs and lows of being a first-time director on a multi-million-dollar film, our confessor gets a major win… but somehow it still feels like a loss. The decades-long struggle that follows highlights how hard it can be to maintain a career, even after your first big break, but it also leads the confessor to some powerful revelations.

“It dawned on me that if one mode is no longer yielding the results you want, you have two choices. You can blame everybody else. Or you can change your approach.”

 In this episode, we get into the following:        

1. The difficulties of maintaining a career in the entertainment industry – even after you break in
  

2. The truth behind the saying, “It’s a marathon, not a sprint”

3. What it takes to keep pursuing your goals in your darkest moments

Finally, we top off the episode with a shoutout and a call to action – to you, our listeners! Our goal is to make #fessuphollywood a movement. A community of creative people who all want to make Hollywood a happier place. Let’s build that together! Connect with us on socials @fessuphollywood. Share this episode with a friend. Leave us a review and rating here. And join us in two weeks for another episode of the Hollywood Confessional!
 

Other episodes we think you'll enjoy:
 

"Clipboard Girl" - A tough aspiring filmmaker faces a disaster her first day on set but finds a way to turn it into a win for her career.

“The Sound of Silence” - An audio technician discovers working for one of the most famous people on earth is far more stressful than it sounds.

“

Connect with us:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Website

Check out some of our favorite shows:

• Screenwriters' Rant Room
• Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss
• It Happened in Hollywood
• The Secret History of Hollywood

Hollywood Confessional is a Ninth Way Media production, produced by Meagan Daine and J.R. Zamora-Thal.

Sound Effects and Music provided by Zapsplat and Pixabay.

Keywords: filmmaking podcast, film podcast, screenwriting podcast, entertainment podcast, Hollywood, filmmaking, writerslife, actorslife, setlife

Hollywood Faithful! We are back and better than ever. Please join us in Season 2 for higher highs, lower lows, and crazier stories of everything that happens in Hollywood. We'll hear from writers, directors, crew members, people who have found fame, and those still chasing it.

It's going to be a wild ride!

Hollywood Confessional is a Ninth Way Media production, produced by Meagan Daine and J.R. Zamora-Thal. 

IG/Twitter: @fessuphollywood

Sound Effects and Music provided by Zapsplat and Pixabay.

Keywords: Hollywood, Writing, Acting, Directing, Narrative, Interview, Screenwriting, Writer Life

Connect with us:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Website

Hollywood Confessional is a Ninth Way Media production, produced by Meagan Daine and J.R. Zamora-Thal.

Sound Effects and Music provided by Zapsplat and Pixabay.

Keywords: How to Break into Hollywood, Entertainment Industry Jobs, Entertainment Industry Podcast, Screenwriting Podcast, Filmmaking Podcast

Connect with us:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Website

Check out some of our favorite shows:

• Screenwriters' Rant Room
• Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss
• It Happened in Hollywood
• The Secret History of Hollywood

Hollywood Confessional is a Ninth Way Media production, produced by Meagan Daine and J.R. Zamora-Thal.

Sound Effects and Music provided by Zapsplat and Pixabay.

Keywords: filmmaking podcast, film podcast, screenwriting podcast, entertainment podcast, Hollywood, filmmaking, writerslife, actorslife, setlife

You know who they are. Young. Smart. Hungry. Always running around trying to get people to fill out paperwork. Some of these folks find their way from entry-level positions into satisfying careers in the entertainment industry. Others – like this week’s confessor – run like hell. 

“At first, I was fine with being in a coordinating role. I thought that was going to be my life. But now I wanted to be creative. And I realized if I kept going like I was, that was never going to happen.”

In this week’s confession, we hear from a former production office assistant whose job behind a desk inspired her to get on set and become a filmmaker herself. But the road from – in her words – “clipboard girl” to director was a long one, with more than a few twists and turns along the way.

“The second day, we were shooting in this saloon. I’m running around, doing whatever I can for people and loving every minute of it. And about halfway through the day, I step off a curb, and I hear a SNAP. And I go down.”

A debilitating injury might have stopped most people… but not our confessor. She stuck it out through her first on-set experience, working almost a month on crutches for deferred pay. And believe it or not… it turned out to be worth it.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

1.    What it’s like starting out in the industry as a production office assistant

2.    How knowing what you want and having faith in yourself can help keep you going in the toughest situations

3.    An absolutely incredible story of a woman who overcame adversity in Hollywood and truly achieved her dream

If that’s not enough inspiration for you, we finish off our Season 1 Finale with a shoutout to some of the most important people in Hollywood, who are out there making it a happier place every single day… support staffers! We see you, we love you – hell, we ARE you. Thanks so much for everything you do – and to our audience for making this a great first season!

We’ll be on hiatus during the holidays, but if you’ve got a story to share or just want to keep in touch, hit us up on Twitter or IG @fessuphollywood.

And please leave us a review and rating here! We’ll be back in 2023 with more incredible stories, anonymously told, on the Hollywood Confessional.

Other episodes we think you'll enjoy:

“The Comeback” - A fearless aspiring filmmaker scores a job directing a studio feature right out of col

Connect with us:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Website

Check out some of our favorite shows:

• Screenwriters' Rant Room
• Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss
• It Happened in Hollywood
• The Secret History of Hollywood

Hollywood Confessional is a Ninth Way Media production, produced by Meagan Daine and J.R. Zamora-Thal.

Sound Effects and Music provided by Zapsplat and Pixabay.

Keywords: filmmaking podcast, film podcast, screenwriting podcast, entertainment podcast, Hollywood, filmmaking, writerslife, actorslife, setlife

Hello faithful, my old friends. We've come to confess with you again! 

This week we've got a confession from a sound technician who worked with one of the most famous people on earth. But despite the confessor's years of experience and determination to perform their job well, a chaotic set led by a producer who wouldn't listen led to disaster. The lesson here: if your boss sets you up for failure, sometimes all you can do is learn from the experience. Join us in the booth!

Connect with us:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Website

Check out some of our favorite shows:

• Screenwriters' Rant Room
• Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss
• It Happened in Hollywood
• The Secret History of Hollywood

Hollywood Confessional is a Ninth Way Media production, produced by Meagan Daine and J.R. Zamora-Thal.

Sound Effects and Music provided by Zapsplat and Pixabay.

Keywords: filmmaking podcast, film podcast, screenwriting podcast, entertainment podcast, Hollywood, filmmaking, writerslife, actorslife, setlife