(Reviewed by Don Jung)
So, you want to succeed in the entertainment industry? Sorry, it’s not that easy or glamorous. This anthology written by various career movie and television people will dispel the myths on what the industry is really about and how one can be lucky enough to climb the ladder of success. It’s a very interesting read as you hear about the various ways different people learn about show biz.
While you read about celebrities like J.J. Abrams and Chris Rock on how they were able to find their way, you also hear from the “below the line” workers like the casting directors, makeup artists and camera operators on how they managed to step up their game to make a career in the industry.
All these stories show that these people have a passion for making films and they started at the bottom to learn the ropes. One of my favorites is how one producer explains how he started out being the chauffeur and gofer for Orson Welles. Actor/playwright, Billy Van Zandt tells about his obsession with his idol, Lucile Ball, and how it changed his life.
You learn a lot about the problems that film production can create as well as the various
ways a film studio executive must decide whether to green-light a project. This is a wacky
world where talent needs a little luck in order to create a film or a television series that can
appeal to the American public. I found it a fascinating read as each chapter has a different story that keeps you amazed on how they could function so well in an unconventional industry.
The last story is by the editor of this anthology, Bruce Ferber. He tells you
his background from coming out to Los Angeles and what it took to get the right jobs
and make his career a success. His communication skills landed him various jobs such as the head honcho for the “Home Improvement” television series. He tells how difficult it is to keep a healthy family life while working the insane hours that the film biz demands. And he tells you the pain and suffering as he sacrifices his personal life to come up with a hit.
Even if you have no interest in the entertainment industry, you will enjoy these various stories as the authors tell you the good, the bad and the ugly of the business. You will enjoy the ride.
