The Best Boy Diaries
Below the Line in Hollywood
-
-
5.0 • 6 Ratings
-
-
- $5.99
-
- $5.99
Publisher Description
Ever wonder what it’s like to work in production in Hollywood? Learn the dirty little truths as a journeyman technician makes his way through the ranks of Set Lighting into the prosperous era of late 1990’s big-budget blockbuster movies and network television shows. Tour the Universal backlot at 4am on “The Lost World” and go deep inside The Comet on Stage 15 at Paramount on “Deep Impact.” Learn Hollywood history as it could only be told from someone within the industry.
This grungy, slacker-esque tell-all follows Zen techie Jack through a myriad of emotions and pitfalls as he tries to negotiate a career, relationships and friends while soul-searching for his place in a world of deception and lies. Visit historical landmarks, meet local freaks and attend cultural events which could only exist in a place as varied and unique as Los Angeles. Be a part of the crew on the stages and locations that made Hollywood famous, where real celebrities are your co-workers and the rules of engagement are a little bit different…
Customer Reviews
Insightful, accurate, and authentic portrayal of Hollywood Film
Like the author, I moved to L.A. to work in the film business. Unlike the author, I have never been able to eloquently frame this odd world and capture it for others to enjoy. He is clearly fascinated by the world of filmmaking (in all it's nitty-gritty details), well-experienced, and wants to make his experiences accessible to laypeople so they can know what it's like. But it's more than just a dry procession of "There I was..." stories like you'll find elsewhere. The author does more than just explain how things work - he wants the reader to meet the people he met, and feel what he felt, and think what he thought. In that way, it is probably the most accurate and authentic portrayal of life in the film business you'll find, written with the narrative clarity and poise you'd expect from a professional screenwriter. If you're interested in how the sausage is made, I can't recommend this book enough.
Posting on behalf of my brother, who is not an Apple user
Great insight on what it is to be a filmmaker and for those aspiring to be one.
Jhaleel
Behind-the-scenes tell-all
Interesting crew stories and lucid observations about breaking into/ working in the major studios before streaming and the internet. Also some Hollywood history in the narrative.