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Writer's pictureTony Taylor

So You Want To Be In the Film Business?


So you just got around to watching BREAKING BAD because you were tired of taking shit from everyone around you, and you're maybe thinking, you'd like to be a part of the world of TV/Film production. That's a noble decision, but like any job, you better do your research. And may I offer this word of caution, there is no other world like it.

Technology comes and goes as with any industry, but like other enterprises, there are things about the TV/Film industry that remain consistent. And they are some of the only consistent things.

The self-centeredness of some, out of control egotism, the greed, the total disrespect of persons, and just the insanity of the TV/Filmmaking process is like death, once inside your own life ends. And there is no better way to visit that world like Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse.


The 1991 documentary captures the making of Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now. I know that 1991 seems like a lifetime ago, but what you see in that documentary can look to be an exercise in insanity.


It is nuts if you've ever worked in the industry. For those of us who have, it's just another day at the office. And when you sign up for it, you don't see that in the fine print.

You want to know why? There is no fine print. How do you describe a job where you have to battle nature, mortgage your home to work there, and the ultimate slog, you have to deal with an out of control actor who shows up to work not knowing his lines or the character he is to play. Oh, and he's Marlon Brando. One more thing, whether you use him or not, by contract, he only works two weeks, and you have to pay him regardless.

I know I love this business, or I'm just a sadomasochist. On my first "professional" day working right of college, I worked twenty-seven hours straight for $50!

Thinking of "going Holly

Do your homework and check out what filmmaking requires from the human soul.

I will say that the friends I made in the industry among crew members are probably the best people I have ever encountered. They really have to because your life most times depends on them.

Watch Hearts of Darkness and be sure, be very sure.

So you just got around to watching BREAKING BAD because you were tired of taking shit from everyone around you and you're maybe thinking, you'd like to be a part of the world of TV/Film production. That's a noble decision, but like any job, you better do your research. And may I offer this word of caution, there is no other world like it.


Technology comes and goes as with any industry, but like other enterprises, there are things things about the TV/Film industry that remain consistent. And they are some of the only things that are consistent.


The self centeredness of some, out of control egotism, the greed, the total disrespect of persons and just the insanity of the TV/Filmmaking process is like death, once inside your own life ends. And there is no better way to visit that world like Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse.


The 1991 documentary captures the making of Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now. I know that 1991 seems like a lifetime ago, but what you see in that documentary can look to be an exercise in insanity.


It is nuts if you've ever worked in the industry. For those of us who have, it's just another day at the office. And when you sign up for it, you don't see that in the fine print.


You want to know why? There is no fine print. How do you describe a job where you have to battle nature, mortgage your home to work there, and the ultimate slog, you have to deal with an out of control actor who shows up to work not knowing his lines or the character he is to play. Oh and he's Marlon Brando. One more thing, wether you use him or not, by contract, he only works two weeks and you have to pay him regardless.


I know I love this business, or I'm just a sadomasichist. On my very first "professional" day working right of college, I worked twenty-seven hours straight for $50!


Thinking of "going Hollywood?"

Do your homework and check out what filmmaking requires from the human soul.


I will say that the friends I made in the industry among crew members are probably the best people I have ever encountered. They really have to because your life most times depends on them.


Watch Hearts of Darkness and be sure, be very sure.








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