Guide on Infiltrating the Hollywood Film Industry
In the heart of Culver City, Village Well Books & Coffee has become a community hub, offering a full-service cafe and a well-curated selection of new books. The store, located at 9900 Culver Blvd., is not just a bookstore, but a place where connections are made and conversations begin.
Meanwhile, in a different part of the city, Ada Tseng and Jon Healey, former editors at the Los Angeles Times, have penned a comprehensive guide for those dreaming of a career in Hollywood. Their book, "Breaking Into New Hollywood," was born out of a series they developed while working as editors specializing in guides and explainers.
Tseng and Healey aimed to create a practical, comprehensive resource for aspiring entertainment industry workers. The book provides a broad, realistic view of the day-to-day realities of working in Hollywood, a landscape that is undergoing a massive transformation with traditional jobs disappearing and AI reshaping how media is made.
The authors interviewed hundreds of industry insiders, both in front of and behind the camera, to give readers a comprehensive, practical guide. They wanted to set expectations for newcomers, including the tough life of freelancers with highs and lows, and the enormous capacity for rejection.
The book covers jobs above and below the line, encouraging newcomers to learn about all different types of jobs in Hollywood and how they work together. It also delves into the emotional and physical toll the work can extract, especially on the folks involved in setting up and tearing down sets.
For Tseng, the book was also a chance to highlight the experiences of those often overlooked in the industry. She was motivated by the lack of representation and support for Asian Americans and others without industry connections. By telling these authentic stories, she aims to demystify the industry and show that while it is tough, there are new ways to bypass traditional gatekeepers and create independent projects.
Jennifer Caspar, the owner of Village Well Books & Coffee, shares a similar sentiment. She opened the store to facilitate connections between people and believes books give people a chance to connect offline and focus. She sees books as an antidote to the constant distractions in our lives.
Current bestsellers at Village Well Books & Coffee include "Atmosphere" by Taylor Jenkins Reid, "Martyr" by Kaveh Akbar, "The Emperor of Gladness" by Ocean Vuong, and "All Fours" by Miranda July. The store has also seen a real increase in books about activism and the Middle East situation, and they are launching an activism book club, starting with "Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During This Crisis (and the Next)" by Dean Spade.
In the end, "Breaking Into New Hollywood" is more than just a guide; it's a testament to the resilience and resourcefulness of those who dare to dream of a career in Hollywood. It's a reminder that the industry, like any other, is not without its challenges, but for those willing to put in the work, the rewards can be immense.
- In the heart of Los Angeles, specifically Culver City, Village Well Books & Coffee serves as a community gathering space, located at 9900 Culver Blvd.
- Meanwhile, authors Ada Tseng and Jon Healey, former editors from the Los Angeles Times, have authored a comprehensive guide entitled "Breaking Into New Hollywood".
- This book, born out of a series they developed while working as editors specializing in guides and explainers, offers practical and comprehensive advice for aspiring entertainment industry workers.
- Located in Hollywood, the industry is undergoing significant transformation, with traditional jobs evaporating and technology, particularly artificial intelligence, reshaping media production.
- The book, which covers jobs above and below the line, aims to provide readers with a realistic view of the day-to-day challenges in the entertainment industry.
- The authors' ambition goes beyond practical advice by highlighting the stories of those who are often overlooked in the industry, such as Asian Americans and others lacking industry connections, in an effort to demystify the industry and encourage new voices.
