Hollywood Drive: What it Takes to Break in, Hang in & Make it in the Entertainment Industry

by Eve Light Honthaner

Hollywood What it Takes to Break in, Hang in & Make it in the Entertainment Industry is the essential guide to starting and succeeding at a career in film and TV. The completely updated second edition features new interviews with industry professionals, information about the changing social media landscape, the wide array of distribution platforms that are available to aspiring filmmakers, and much more. Honthaner's invaluable experience and advice give those attempting to enter and become successful in the entertainment industry the edge they need to stand out among the intense competition.

Hollywood Drive explores the realities of the various career options, effective job search strategies, how to write an effective cover letter and resume, what to expect on your first job, the significance of networking and building solid industry relationships, how a project is sold, and how a production office and set operate. You'll learn how to define your goals and make a plan to achieve them, how to survive the tough times, how to deal with big egos and bad tempers, and how to put your passion to work for you. Although no book or class can totally prepare you for a career in the entertainment industry, Hollywood Drive offers insights, direction, and a sense of confidence.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction

420 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2005

Reviews

[Kory · Rating 5 out of 5]

An industry bible. A valuable perspective for someone in the film business. Packed with insider information that hasn’t let me down. I have checked it out twice and will probably in the future. Not a bad choice to keep on the bookshelf for reference. Most people in the industry can learn a thing or two for themselves and about their coworkers because this book is so broad. Highly recommend.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this in May 2021 for a film class. As someone looking to go into the film industry, this was very helpful and reassuring.

[Worldviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve worked on multimillion dollar movie sets, in addition to indie films. This book feels like a voice to my physical production experiences, as well as I’m sure others. Note: I’ve read 20+ books on the industry and this would be among my near top recs, due to its accuracy and ability to capture the energy required on projects.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished the Kindle version of "Hollywood Drive". This book is a highly informative must read book for anyone looking to start a career in the dog eat dog world of the media industry. Its packed with first hand practical knowldge, advice, and feed back on how to break into the media industry. Needles to say I highly recommend this book.

[T.R. Locke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good advice on breaking in and making it in Hollywood. Strongly technical for many different aspects of the film industry--much of it is a breakdown of what various people do in Hollywood an how to get into each profession. Good info. Well written.

[Paul Forste · Rating 4 out of 5]

...most of the touch points for whenever I get around to producing something. good to give to kids who want to get in the business.
read sometime prior to date indicated.

[Barbaros Gokdemir]

Highly recommended for anyone looking for a career within film and television industry.