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 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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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

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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Clipboard Girl

Hollywood Confessional

11/24/22 • 22 min

You know who they are. Young. Smart. Hungry. Always running around trying to get people to fill out paperwork. Some of these folks find their way from entry-level positions into satisfying careers in the entertainment industry. Others – like this week’s confessor – run like hell.

“At first, I was fine with being in a coordinating role. I thought that was going to be my life. But now I wanted to be creative. And I realized if I kept going like I was, that was never going to happen.”
In this week’s confession, we hear from a former production office assistant whose job behind a desk inspired her to get on set and become a filmmaker herself. But the road from – in her words – “clipboard girl” to director was a long one, with more than a few twists and turns along the way.
“The second day, we were shooting in this saloon. I’m running around, doing whatever I can for people and loving every minute of it. And about halfway through the day, I step off a curb, and I hear a SNAP. And I go down.”
A debilitating injury might have stopped most people... but not our confessor. She stuck it out through her first on-set experience, working almost a month on crutches for deferred pay. And believe it or not... it turned out to be worth it.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
1. What it’s like starting out in the industry as a production office assistant
2. How knowing what you want and having faith in yourself can help keep you going in the toughest situations
3. An absolutely incredible story of a woman who overcame adversity in Hollywood and truly achieved her dream
If that’s not enough inspiration for you, we finish off our Season 1 Finale with a shoutout to some of the most important people in Hollywood, who are out there making it a happier place every single day... support staffers! We see you, we love you – hell, we ARE you. Thanks so much for everything you do – and to our audience for making this a great first season!
We’ll be on hiatus during the holidays, but if you’ve got a story to share or just want to keep in touch, hit us up on Twitter or IG @fessuphollywood.
And please leave us a review and rating here! We’ll be back in 2023 with more incredible stories, anonymously told, on the 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 col

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Portrait of a Survivor Part 2

Hollywood Confessional

11/21/24 • 25 min

"When I first met him, I was like, this guy is going to be a fucking problem."
In Part 2 of our oral history "Portrait of a Survivor," we hear from a new perspective on an abusive Hollywood showrunner... that of his assistant's close friend.
"He has that cult leader personality, that sort of psychopath thing where he's very superficially charming. I know a lot of people with those personalities."
We hear how our confessor escaped the toxic situation with her friend's clear-eyed perspective and support. And we see how it all came roaring back to her years later, when she saw a warning on an assistant board against working with someone... and the subject line was her abuser's name.
"I think the initial email came out at like eight in the morning. By 10:30, there were like 15 more emails from different people, like, 'He's a terrorist.' 'He's the worst person I ever met.' All these people sharing their experiences. Then a reporter reached out to me asking for a comment."

As the confessor and her friend navigate the process of trying to go public about a powerful abuser in Hollywood, we're also joined by TV/film critic and journalist Maureen "Mo" Ryan. Mo has worked with countless survivors, especially for her book Burn It Down. In the process, she has found perspective... and even hope.
"Anyone, in any job, is often confused about what to do about a problematic situation. But in this industry, the disincentives are huge. And those have not really gone away... But many, many people have found a positive way forward from having come forward."
Join us for this powerful conclusion of "Portrait of a Survivor" to see how our confessor dealt with the fallout of abuse in her own life, and how she found the strength and support she needed to move on.

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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 Can Lady & This is a Man's World

Hollywood Confessional

06/23/22 • 30 min

Welcome to our first episode of the Hollywood Confessional!
In this week's episode, we hear confessions from two up-and-comers as they battle condescension, abuse, toxic work environments, and even a car crash on their journeys to gain respect and a foothold in the entertainment industry.
Can Lady
"I wanted to quit that job every single day. But I kept going, and that ended up bringing me on the career path that I'm on now. When you have a positive attitude and you're resourceful, you can really do anything."

Our first confession, "Can Lady," tells the story of an office production assistant who, after being hired to pick up an actor for costume fitting, gets into a car accident in the parking lot! Later, their domineering boss, the "Can Lady," unceremoniously fires them in the midst of a national emergency. But amazingly, despite these insane setbacks, the Confessor finds a way to spin all this to their advantage.
It's a Man's World "I always thought I was guilty until proven innocent. And even if I was innocent, it didn’t matter. I would always say to myself, 'Are your shorts too short? Are you resting in a sexy way?' I didn’t even realize that this was complete sexual harassment."
Confessor 2 is the only female on an all-male art department crew in "It's a Man's World," and they make her feel it. Despite working insane hours, taking on far more work than she's getting paid for, and putting up with aggressive sexual harassment, she doesn't get the credit she deserves. Instead, she gets falsely accused of stealing from the company... which leads her to a life-changing revelation.
These two amazing confessions get into the following:

How to survive in Hollywood -- literally!
How to tell the difference between legitimate job stress and abusive behavior
How to turn a difficult job experience into a positive career move

Finally, we round out the episode with a shoutout to some people who are taking action to make Hollywood a happier place -- writer-producers Sam Ernst and Jim Dunn.
Love the episode? Leave us a review and rating here!
Other episodes we think you'll enjoy:
"The Oligarch's Apprentice" & "Horse Stand-In"

"Resting Smile Face" & "The Method"
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The Best Worst Strike Story Ever

Hollywood Confessional

12/07/23 • 21 min

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

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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 Comeback

Hollywood Confessional

02/23/23 • 23 min

What if you got your first big break in Hollywood at age 24... and then didn’t get another for 25 years?

In this incredible first confession of our second season, we hear from a fearless aspiring filmmaker who scored a job directing a studio feature film when they were barely out of college. But as thrilling as it sounds, the experience wasn’t what they expected...

"One day about halfway through, I woke up in my hotel room after 12 hours of sleep, and I couldn’t move. I laid in the bed. Looked at the ceiling, and I was like, it’s only week three. I have four more weeks. I’m not going to make it.”

After enduring the intense highs and lows of being a first-time director on a multi-million-dollar film, our confessor gets a major win... but somehow it still feels like a loss. The decades-long struggle that follows highlights how hard it can be to maintain a career, even after your first big break, but it also leads the confessor to some powerful revelations.

“It dawned on me that if one mode is no longer yielding the results you want, you have two choices. You can blame everybody else. Or you can change your approach.”

In this episode, we get into the following:

1. The difficulties of maintaining a career in the entertainment industry – even after you break in

2. The truth behind the saying, “It’s a marathon, not a sprint”

3. What it takes to keep pursuing your goals in your darkest moments

Finally, we top off the episode with a shoutout and a call to action – to you, our listeners! Our goal is to make #fessuphollywood a movement. A community of creative people who all want to make Hollywood a happier place. Let’s build that together! Connect with us on socials @fessuphollywood. Share this episode with a friend. Leave us a review and rating here. And join us in two weeks for another episode of the Hollywood Confessional!

Other episodes we think you'll enjoy:

"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.

“The Sound of Silence” - An audio technician discovers working for one of the most famous people on earth is far more stressful than it sounds.

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Mind the Gap

Hollywood Confessional

04/11/24 • 27 min

Imagine you're working your ass off for a thankless 60+ hours a week job on a TV show, and you discover everyone else in your position is making more than you.
PS, they're all men. And you're the only woman.
In this week's episode of the Hollywood Confessional, we hear a confession from an office production assistant who found herself in this very dilemma.
"When I was handed all of the pay cards with everybody's rates on them for
that week, it happened that the card on top was another production assistant.
And when I looked at his card –- not trying to look, but in receiving something, one
must look at it -- I realized he was getting paid $50 more a week than me."
Awareness leads to action in this inspiring story from a PA who found the courage to confront her boss and demand fair pay... despite the very real fear that doing so could end her career.
"I was really scared. I feel scared even just describing this story to you. Because think about what this guy could do to me, you know? He could make it so I could never work in this town again."
We get into the dangers of taking a stand when you feel like you have no power, and the calculated risks that come with following your beliefs. Finally, we discuss what entertainment industry workers can do to protect themselves in similar pay gap situations.
Spoiler... sometimes these stories have a happy ending.

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FAQ

How many episodes does Hollywood Confessional have?

Hollywood Confessional currently has 51 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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