Hollywood Confessional

Ninth Way Media

Hollywood secrets... anonymously told.
"You'll never work in this town again."

For decades, those words -- or the sentiment behind them -- have cloaked all manner of evil in the entertainment industry.
As the #MeToo, #TimesUp, #PayUpHollywood, and many other movements demonstrate, times are changing. Yet there are countless things happening behind closed doors that people feel they can't talk about and wish they could.

This podcast changes all that. Actors, writers, crew members and support staffers reveal their wildest behind-the-scenes secrets on this podcast in total anonymity. And then you get to listen to their stories.
Hosted by writer-producers Meagan Daine and J.R. Zamora-Thal, the Hollywood Confessional is a biweekly podcast by Ninth Way Media. New episodes drop every other Thursday. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Connect on social media @fessuphollywood!

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Top 10 Hollywood Confessional Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Hollywood Confessional episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Hollywood Confessional for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Hollywood Confessional episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

The Oligarch's Apprentice & Horse Stand-In

Hollywood Confessional

08/04/22 • 23 min

In a world where Hollywood isn't just a neighborhood, but a universal concept, our Confessors confront the irony of their journey, as Confessor 1 is forced to assist an abusive and manipulative Eastern European oligarch's right-hand man, and Confessor 2 gets a job as a stand-in for a salad-throwing wannabe Hollywood big shot in Vancouver.
The Oligarch's Apprentice

"The #MeToo movement changed my life because it made me see that even if at some point [sexual harassment] was part of the job, it doesn't have to be that way in the future. And if we stand together and support each other, it won't be. There's strength in numbers. The power is on our side now."
Our first Confessor this week was hired as a producer's assistant at a large studio in Eastern Europe, but quickly realized that the VP was taking advantage of young women in the office. When she stood up to him, he reacted in a way she never expected... by throwing a full-on temper tantrum.
Confessor #2 also started off as an assistant to an abusive producer -- but her experience took place in Canada. What seemed like an incredible opportunity to break into TV writing turned into a nightmare when she got fired... only to be re-hired as a stand-in on the same producer's movies.
Horse Stand-In
"There is no better revenge than doing the thing you initially set out to do."
In this episode, we get into:

How bad leadership creates a toxic environment
Loyalty tests in Hollywood
What to do when you have to stand in for a horse (WTF?!)

We then leave these tales of toxicity behind for a shoutout from one of our amazing voice actors to someone she thinks is making Hollywood a happier place... acting coach Lauren Patrice Nadler, who goes above and beyond to create a positive environment for training actors.

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here!
Resources:
"SAG-AFTRA Just Made It Easier to Report Sexual Harassment in Hollywood" - By Laura Bradley, for The Daily Beast, Apr. 29, 2021
Other episodes we think you'll enjoy:
"Resting Smile Face" & "The Method"

"Pitch This A*Hole" & "Halloween Party"

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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

Untouchable: When a Toxic Person Can't Be Fired

Hollywood Confessional

09/12/24 • 24 min

Trigger Warning: Self-harm and drug use.
We all know how hard it is to land a job in this industry, but what about how hard it is to fire someone... even when they deserve it?
In this week's episode, we hear from a confessor who was an executive producer on a 20-episode order of a first-season show. The challenges they faced just to run the room and keep good scripts coming on time were compounded exponentially by a writer who disrupted the room at every turn.
September 29th, appeared visibly intoxicated while working in the room.

October 5th, he was rolling a Swiss Army knife around on his knuckles with the blade out while appearing to be under the influence.

October 25th, he left over an hour early without telling anyone.

11/11, an unidentified pill was found outside his office.
Incredibly, these and many more infractions weren't enough to convince HR to take action. It was up to our confessor to find a way to manage the problem, all while running a TV show, dealing with the writer's mental health issues, and taking care of their own.
Join us for a discussion on firing and being fired, how to cope with toxic behavior in the workplace, and why we absolutely must destigmatize mental health care to make Hollywood a happier place.

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Confessions of a Hollywood Gatekeeper

Hollywood Confessional

09/26/24 • 22 min

Why do some screenplays get green lit, while others never see the light of day?
Join us this week for some behind-the-scenes intel from a studio script reader, a self-described "first gatekeeper" who's been part of the process of getting stories from page to screen for over two decades.
"One of the first things you learn as a reader is, even on the worst script, you have to say something nice. And that is partly so the execs can get on the phone and have your coverage in their hands and be like, 'We really like the character of, uh... "Joe," but unfortunately we already have something similar in development.'"
We discuss the method behind the apparent Hollywood madness of what gets made, including how some scripts improve through the development process, while others end up getting... ugh... "noted to death."
"I've seen stuff in development where it was like, there was something special about this script, and you killed it."
Listen in to hear stories of how films you've definitely heard of made it from the reader's desk to the screen... including one that almost didn't. And hear how our confessor stumbled onto this hard-to-find career path... and discovered, against all odds, that it was actually their dream job.
Have you had experience as a Hollywood script reader? Confess! Send us a DM @fessuphollywood or leave us a comment. We'd love to hear from you!

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#PayUpHollywood Fesses Up: An Interview with Liz Hsiao Lan Alper and Alex Rubin

Hollywood Confessional

04/25/24 • 50 min

Hello Hollywood Faithful! Today we've got an on the record interview with Liz Hsiao Lan Alper and Alex Rubin of Pay Up Hollywood.
Pay Up Hollywood began as grassroots movement in 2019, in an attempt to bring attention to the pay inequities, abuses and struggles of many Hollywood assistants. In subsequent years, PayUpHollywood has campaigned for Hollywood studios and companies to pay support staffers a living wage, in an effort to both tear down the paywall that keeps historically underprivileged voices out of the industry and to ensure current support staff can afford to work in their current position. PayUpHollywood aims to provide resources and aid to current entertainment support staffers as well as ongoing data and information about entertainment support staffers to other groups and companies who want to be part of the solution.
You can find more information on their website payuphollywood.com or on their socials, @payuphollywood for X (fka Twitter) and @payup.hollywood on Instagram.

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Coming Clean

Hollywood Confessional

04/20/23 • 28 min

TRIGGER WARNING: This week's story involves drug use. If this could be distressing to you, please skip this episode and join us next week.
“I’m at a party. Somebody goes into their pocket and pulls out five or six pills. And I take all of them, and I eat them. About 15 minutes later, I’m not feeling good. I think I’m about to throw up. I’m by the sink. I look in the cupboard, and there’s a filter. So I grab a coffee filter. I lean over the sink, and I throw up into the coffee filter. And then I squeeze it, open the filter. And there are the pills. And I take the pills and take a beer, and I swallow them again. That’s the kind of addict I was.”
In today’s episode, we hear from an actor whose brilliant career fell apart due to their addictions to drugs and alcohol. From booking several roles a month at 19 to becoming a final contender for a series lead, our confessor’s meteoric rise coincided with an increasingly habit of using... which ultimately brought it all crashing down.
“I thought talent was everything. I thought, I’m not the first guy to have issues with drugs or alcohol. Let’s figure it out. I’m worth it. But within a few years, I had nothing. I blew all the money. I didn’t have anything left.”
Redemption didn’t come easily for our confessor. They continued to book roles because of their talent, but marijuana and cocaine eventually led to more ravaging addictions... and trouble with the law. They only survived, as our confessor puts it, because angels were looking out for them... just long enough to bring our confessor to the point where they were ready to get the help they needed.
In this episode, we hear how addiction can completely take over the life of an artist, and at least one of the reasons why. We also hear a profoundly moving tale of redemption, as our confessor finally figures out what it takes to come clean.
"Coming Clean" is very important to us, and we hope this story will inspire our fellow entertainment industry professionals who are also struggling with addiction. Let us know what you think on Twitter or Instagram @fessuphollywood. And please leave us a review and rating here! We’ll be back in two weeks with another episode of Hollywood Confessional.
Other episodes we think you'll enjoy:
“The Comeback” - A fearless aspiring filmmaker scores a job directing a studio feature right out of college. But when it turns out not to be the big break they expect, they must f

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Resting Smile Face & The Method

Hollywood Confessional

09/15/22 • 35 min

Are you putting on a happy face and doing what everyone else wants instead of pursuing your own dreams in Hollywood? Do your dedication and people-pleasing make you a target for bullies?
Welcome back to the confessional booth! This week, we explore the struggles of navigating the entertainment industry without connections and share powerful stories of resilience and strength from two up-and-comers who had to learn to set their own boundaries.
In "Resting Smile Face," we hear from a confessor who knew what they wanted but felt pressured to conform to others' expectations. In "The Method," an aspiring actor reveals their twisted experience with the Meisner method and a teacher who used it to abuse some of his students... especially women. Listen in as we examine the difficulties of finding work in the industry, the feeling of insignificance amidst cutthroat competition, and the importance of believing in yourself.
Remember: having a strong support system is key to success in Hollywood. So hit that subscribe button, follow us @fessuphollywood on Twitter and Instagram, and join us for another insightful and inspiring episode of The Hollywood Confessional.

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Class Con

Hollywood Confessional

05/23/24 • 27 min

Scam artists steal dreams. We're finding ways to get payback.
In this incendiary episode of the Hollywood Confessional, we hear from an aspiring writer who pursued a seemingly great opportunity: taking a class from a mentorship program, the stated goal of which was to help underrepresented voices get into the industry. The first thing they learned? Some so-called "mentors" can't be trusted.
Red flags abound in this story of a dream gone wrong... but so do glimmers of hope. Ultimately our confessor realizes they've been conned out of their intellectual property, but is it too late to do anything about it?
Join us for a discussion on industry scams, how to avoid them, and what you can do if you find yourself caught in one. Spoiler: The answer is definitely NOT slashing tires.

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How To Be Human In Hollywood Without Really Trying

Hollywood Confessional

06/01/23 • 22 min

Ever felt like you were just another horse being traded in the entertainment business?
Join us this week as our confessor shares their story of becoming a hot commodity as a writer... and then losing steam. Through the emotional rollercoaster of selling a pilot and several pitches but never getting anything made, they uncover some invaluable lessons about creativity, self-belief, and various ways to stay human in this highly transactional industry.
In this episode, we also explore the crucial role of having the right people in the room when it comes to nurturing the creative process, and how these connections can help propel us towards emotional and artistic growth. So, whether you're an aspiring TV or film writer or a seasoned pro, tune in for an inspiring discussion about navigating the highs and lows of the industry and finding that creative sweet spot with like-minded individuals.

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The Dangers of Do It Yourselfing

Hollywood Confessional

04/06/23 • 26 min

Ever thought about making your own movie? Maybe considered the advice “If you want to be a filmmaker, just shoot a film!” It sounds simple. But take it from our confessor: Do-it-yourselfing can be a dangerous (and expensive) business!
In this week’s confession, we hear from a gung-ho aspiring director who gets tired of
waiting for something to happen in their career and decides to take action to achieve theirdream. Unlike some Hollywood hucksters, however, our confessor isn’t comfortable claiming to be something they’re not. So they do it the hard way...
“My level of work ethic, first, and dignity, second, tells me I cannot wear a title if I
have not earned it. But I started to realize the things I wanted to do cost money.
Like, a LOT of money.”
After years of frustration, they join a collective of artists who claim they’re all going to
volunteer time to work on each other’s short films... only to discover that no one in the group wants to produce. So our confessor realizes that if they want to direct, they’re going to have to do the whole thing on their own.
“If I don’t move the needle, nothing will move. Because who’s going to do it? Who’s
going to do anything for me if I don’t do it for myself?”
Determination and self-reliance lead our confessor down a path riddled with crazy
setbacks and miraculous breakthroughs. Ultimately the film gets made... but will it make their career?
In this episode, we get into the following:
1. How to make your own short film
2. How to work with actors (when they don’t want to work with you)
3. How to deal with setbacks in your creative career
As content creators ourselves, this story really resonates with us. We’d love to hear what you think! Shoot us a note about when you tried to make your own film @fessuphollywood, or leave us a review here.
Other episodes we think you'll enjoy:
“The Comeback” - A fearless aspiring filmmaker scores a job directing a studio feature right out of college. But when it turns out not to be the big break they expect, they must find a way to stay in the game through 25 years of diminishing returns.

"Clipboard Girl" - A tough aspiring filmmaker faces a disaster her first day on set but finds a way to turn it into a win for her career.

“Resting Smile Face” & “The M

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The Gun Story, Part 1

Hollywood Confessional

07/13/23 • 34 min

A producer walks onto a movie set and takes out a gun. Why?
Our confessor has a lot to say about that. In this week's episode of the Hollywood Confessional, we hear the first part of an intense behind-the-scenes tale from a Second AD on an independent film where a run-and-gun approach led to a dangerous situation. We discuss safety on set, the importance of engaged leadership, and how group dynamics can shape events in ways perhaps no individual expects.
This confession was recorded prior to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. However, our intro was recorded Wednesday, July 12, hours prior to the expiration of the SAG-AFTRA contract. It features a special conversation with our friends at Blue Monday Productions Shira Gorelick and Julie Snyder, as we discuss the rumor mill surrounding negotiations and what we're all fighting for. Check it out, share this episode, and let us know your thoughts @fessuphollywood! And if you have a moment, please leave us a review on your podcast app. It really helps get the word out to those who are working to make Hollywood a happier place!
#WGAStrong #WGAStrike #SAGAFTRA #SAGStrike

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FAQ

How many episodes does Hollywood Confessional have?

Hollywood Confessional currently has 49 episodes available.

What topics does Hollywood Confessional cover?

The podcast is about Career Advice, Filmmaking, Acting, Film, Film Interviews, Screenwriting, Entertainment Industry, Podcasts, Tv, Arts, Hollywood, Tv & Film and Performing Arts.

What is the most popular episode on Hollywood Confessional?

The episode title 'Green Envelope Grocery Aid' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Hollywood Confessional?

The average episode length on Hollywood Confessional is 25 minutes.

How often are episodes of Hollywood Confessional released?

Episodes of Hollywood Confessional are typically released every 14 days.

When was the first episode of Hollywood Confessional?

The first episode of Hollywood Confessional was released on Jun 9, 2022.

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Hollywood Confessional

Ninth Way Media

Top 10 Hollywood Confessional Episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does Hollywood Confessional have?

What topics does Hollywood Confessional cover?

What is the most popular episode on Hollywood Confessional?

What is the average episode length on Hollywood Confessional?

How often are episodes of Hollywood Confessional released?

When was the first episode of Hollywood Confessional?

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