Hollywood Confessional – Details, episodes & analysis

How do you pursue a career in an industry where even your "advocates" are keeping you down?

That's the story of this week's confessor, a voiceover actor who successfully navigates many typical obstacles to a creative career, only to discover their agent is stealing from them.

As they try to figure out what to do about it, our confessor learns how to be their own best advocate and learns some fantastic tips for up-and-comers in all arenas. Join us for a discussion of what it's really like to work behind the mic, and how to speak out for yourself no matter what challenges the industry throws your way.

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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

Hello Hollywood Faithful! Welcome back to another episode of the Hollywood Confessional, the podcast where industry professionals share their deepest, darkest, most insane Hollywood stories. 

This week we have a story about an editor getting their first union job, and the boss that made them question whether or not they wanted to spend their time making someone else's dreams come true. 

Balancing a demanding career with a personal life is tough in any industry, but Hollywood presents its own unique challenges. We explore the burnout from long hours and the frustration that comes from witnessing problematic behavior glamorized. Don't miss this candid and inspiring discussion that sheds light on the flexibility and self-discovery inherent in the gig-based nature of editing.

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

Welcome back to the Confessional! We're back for Season 3, and this year we've got more confessions, more interviews, and more producers! It's bigger, badder, and better in every way. 

Join us on March 28th for our season premiere.

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

We dedicate this episode to @Time Person of the Year Nominee the Hollywood Strikers! 

Getting real for a sec, though -- the Hollywood Strikes of 2023 are officially over, and TBH we're feeling a little uncertain.

A lot of hope and solidarity were born this Hot Labor Summer. Yet despite all the wins and losses, joy and tears, no one really knows what the future holds.

Part of our mission at the Hollywood Confessional is to share untold stories from people working in entertainment so that other folks in the industry know they're not alone. Enter our Season Two Finale, "The Best Worst Strike Story Ever."

In this episode, we hear from a confessor about how their crazy career path led to a crisis during the WGA Strike of 2007-2008. The years of struggle. The short wins and endless losses. The moment when their dream finally comes true... followed by the moment when they realize it's about to be waylaid by forces beyond their control.

Through the ups and downs, we hear how despite all the changes in Hollywood, much remains the same... even the occasional happily ever after.

Join us in the booth for this funny, heartwarming confession that will have you nodding along and feeling that spark we all need to keep our love of this industry alive. If you like the episode, please share and connect with us on socials @fessuphollywood. We'd love to hear your thoughts on how you want to make Hollywood a happier place in 2024 and beyond!

#Hollywood #WGAStrong #SAGAFTRAStrong #Strikes #fessuphollywood

Connect with us:

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• 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

Nolwen Cifuentes and Dyan Jong had an idea. An independent digital platform celebrating the cinematic achievements of actors, screenwriters, and filmmakers with a focus on diverse voices and perspectives. But as they saw the very people they aimed to uplift locked in a grueling labor struggle, they dedicated their first two issues to highlighting the stories, challenges, and concerns of SAG-AFTRA and WGA union members during the current strikes.

Join us in the booth as we talk with Nolwen and Dyan about their inspiration for creating JULY Magazine and how they've pivoted to show support for the artists they aim to celebrate. From inception to publication, we follow their creative journey and hear how they hope to make Hollywood a happier place! 

#WGAStrong #SAGAFTRAStrong  #UnionStrong

@july_mag

Connect with us:

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• 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

Strike news drops. In Variety, Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, TheWrap. Hundreds of thousands of people jump on the story, the future subject of their talks, hopes, fears, and social media stands. But where did it come from… and why?

In this week’s episode of the Hollywood Confessional, an entertainment journalist gives the inside scoop on what goes on behind the scenes at a trade publication.

From the insane hours and grueling work to the genuine love of story that drives them — even when the system gets them down — our confessor gets real about how news gets made in Hollywood, and sheds light on how they feel trades should be reevaluated and transformed.

Join us in the booth as we learn about this little-discussed side of the industry and catch up on what’s inspiring us during strike times! #WGAStrong #SAGAFTRAStrong

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

For 130 days and counting, fresh, hot pizzas have appeared on the LA studio picket lines every... single... day. How?

Meet this week's guest on the Hollywood Confessional, Jess Morse! Jess is one of many people making Hollywood a happier place in strike times. So far, Jess and a team of volunteers have delivered an astounding $20,000 worth of pizza to keep picketing writers and actors on their feet. Join us as we hear how this massive meal-providing operation kicked off with a tweet, and how it was quickly followed by a cascade of generosity and heartwarming stories.

If you'd like to volunteer to deliver pizzas or donate to the pizza cause, you can get in contact with Jess on Twitter @chessmorse.  And connect with us while you're at it! It's never been clearer that as positive members of the happy Hollywood community, we are all in this together.

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

Power talks behind closed doors. In this special confession, we hear from an executive at a streaming arm of a studio about what's actually being said and done inside the studios during the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. 

How corporate chaos fostered by the streaming boom and the pandemic led to a desire among many to double down on control. How that desire manifests differently for the leadership than it does for the rank-and-file. How the disconnect is fostering an atmosphere of dissent within the studios, countered only by fear and the rise of an "us-versus-them" mentality.

Our confessor shares these truths along with some thoughts on how striking workers can most effectively counter the toxicity in this Hollywood Confessional "extra". Please help spread the word by sharing with others who want to make Hollywood a happier place.

#WGAStrong #SAGAFTRA #WGAStrike #UnionStrong 

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 Hollywood Faithful! This week we've got a very special episode where we interview Joelle Garfinkel, creator of Green Envelope Grocery Aid. Joelle is actively working to make Hollywood a happier place by organizing a mutual aid fund for those in need.

If you'd like to donate to the fund, you can venmo Joelle: http://venmo.com/joelle-garfinkel

You can also send money via PayPal: https://paypal.me/greenenvelopeaid?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US

If you'd like to apply for funds, you can find the application here: https://forms.gle/YrunTwueUZD5uvos8

Additional information can be found at Joelle's twitter: @msjoellegarf

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

Motorcycle chases. Labor abuses. Unsolicited bodily fluids. Just another day Hollywood?

In this week's episode, a small arms and demolitions expert enters a different kind of battlefield when he takes a job as a production assistant on a film run by a notorious low-budget producer. But neither earthquakes nor legal problems nor a $50-a-day flat rate can deter this intrepid confessor. Join us as we hear how, despite crazy obstacles, he hustled his way to the top of the industry... only to discover he wasn't where he wanted to be.

We also have a very special guest this week! Hollywood historian Andrea Van Landingham, author of Hollywood Horrors: Murders, Scandals and Cover-Ups from Tinseltown, joins us to talk about the history of Hollywood and whether it's doomed (destined?) to be a crazy town. Don't miss it!

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