Many notable fictional portrayals of the movie industry, such as Nathanael West’s novel The Day of the Locust (1939) and the classic film Sunset Boulevard (1950), focus on its darker aspects, and outsiders may assume that Hollywood is little more than a place littered with actors’ and screenwriters’ broken dreams. The truth, as it often is, is more nuanced than that, and these nonfiction works by filmmakers, critics, and others—all recommended by Kirkus Indie over the last few years—feature determined creatives grappling with the creative process and working hard to bring visions to the silver screen:
In The Trouble With Love in the Movies (2020), Rob Harris presents his second memoir recounting life as a publicist for big-budget blockbusters, following Unexposed Film: A Year on Location (2012). In this remembrance, the author combines stories of his complicated love life with accounts of his publicity work for such productions as Troy (2004), Syriana (2005), and Blood Diamond (2006). There are, naturally, cameos by such celebs as Brad Pitt and George Clooney, but our review pointed out that Harris also “shin[es] a light on the lives of the unknown people who make movies happen, including makeup artists, caterers, and frazzled assistants.” Kirkus’ reviewer called it “a glitzy but never sugary tale of love, work, and family.”
Vince Onken draws on his experiences working as a crewmember on such movies as Planet of the Apes (2001) and Men in Black II (2002) to offer tips for others in his 2017 book, How To Find Work in the Movies: Zen and the Art of Creating a Career in Film. Refreshingly, he notes that it’s not necessary to have a specific strategy when one is starting a career as a crewperson—but one must have determination. He offers key advice on what helped him succeed, noting the importance of networking, showing up early, and always keeping an eye on the future. Once again, there are a few famous faces in these pages, such as Madonna and Arnold Schwarzenegger, but it’s the practical aspects of this work that are the real stars here; as our reviewer noted, it’s “a valuable read for anyone hoping to thrive in Hollywood.”
As filmmakers ply their trade and seek success, they’re naturally influenced by the artists who came before them. Children of the New Flesh: The Early Work and Pervasive Influence of David Cronenberg (2022), edited by Chris Kelso and David Leo Rice, is a collection of writing by critics, fiction writers, and moviemakers inspired by the Canadian auteur of such distinctive films as Scanners (1981), The Fly (1986), and A History of Violence (2005). Some intriguing names contributed to this anthology’s mix of critiques and short fiction, including author Patrick McGrath, whose novel Spider (1990) was adapted by Cronenberg as a feature in 2002; novelist and screenwriter Bruce Wagner, who wrote the screenplay for the director’s 2014 movie, Maps to the Stars; and Mick Garris, who memorably directed the 1994 miniseries based on Stephen King’s apocalyptic epic The Stand (1975). “New and longtime Cronenberg fans will devour this intelligent, earnest, and comprehensive tribute,” wrote Kirkus’ reviewer.
David Rapp is the senior Indie editor.
