If you’re serious about working in film or television—on any level—you need to be reading the trades every single day.
That means Deadline, Variety, and The Hollywood Reporter at minimum. But there's also IndieWire and The Wrap! These outlets are where the industry announces what’s being made, who’s being hired, what trends are rising, where the money is moving, and how the business is evolving. You can’t position yourself or your project in a meaningful way without knowing the landscape.
Reading the trades is one of the simplest daily habits you can build that will help you think and operate more like a professional.
As RB Botto says in this video, there’s no excuse not to make this part of your daily routine if you want to be successful in this industry. Take 15 minutes every morning and scan the headlines. Know what’s happening. Know who’s making things happen.
Watch the video and let us know—are you already reading the trades daily? If not, which outlet will you start with this week?
Let’s discuss. And make sure you're following RB's social media for more tips like this @rbwalksintoabar!
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I read Deadline, Variety, and The Hollywood Reporter, Ashley Renee Smith. I also get The Dailies emails. They've helped me learn more about the industry and know what projects are getting made. I need to get better at reading Deadline, Variety, and The Hollywood Reporter in the morning instead of later in the day.
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This is such a vital video for everyone who may not be familiar with the business. It's important to know WHAT to read to stay in the know. Remember, your craft is only 50% of your job.
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Whats important is that you're reading them, Maurice Vaughan. Only you can know when in the day makes the most sense for your schedule and routine.
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You're right, Ashley Renee Smith. Thanks.
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I tried to begin this ritual and for that, I subscribed Deadline email alert, but my email box got tons of emails from them, that it was difficult to find my others mails, special Stage 32 alerts, so I unsubscribed from it! Now, I need to begin another strategy :)) I am reeducating in the filmmaking industry, incorporating in my daily base :)) Thanks for this alert Ashley Renee Smith :)) I will try to see the .com.
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Advice from the Edge: Blending Creativity, Tech, and Purpose in a Changing Industry"
I've had a bit of exposure to Hollywood, but at a pivotal moment, I made a detour—I felt called to try and help save the country because my research on the then coming financial "hack" of 2007 helped make my decision to leave the west coast to attempt to protect our economy, my future. Sounds dramatic, but there's a story there, one that's still unfolding.
Now, I'm merging my creative instincts with creative/technical background now leaning back into skills that may be a little out of practice but are sharper because evolution is the way. What doesn't make you insane or kill you can be written about to be made in to a script for optioning. A takeaway, you can't make this stuff up, my understand of life is what I was looking for. I got what I was looking for. We are all part of future history.
This hybrid path—equal parts imagination and innovation—isn’t just a career change; it’s a mission. The creative/technical life should be rewarding, and it can be, if you're focused, make smart choices, stay consistent with the work, and remember: business savvy matters just as much as talent.
At the heart of it all is a drive to build a better world—through story, through code, through vision. That’s what we really have to work with.
But let’s not sugarcoat it—the industry’s changing fast. The market can turn on you if you lose focus. So don’t rush. Pace yourself. Make the money. Invest it wisely. Because in this game, you’re only as good as your last show.
Let’s connect. Let’s create. Let’s keep it moving.
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Thanks, all. And good luck with your projects, John. I find The Dailies real helpful and easy to digest with their Mon-Wed-Fri output that includes BO numbers and trailers.
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Pamela: As I immerse myself in this writing venture, I’ve come to realize that there truly is a story in everything. The key is in the technique and the finely honed skills necessary to get one's work into the right hands—ultimately getting it optioned. When I was pursuing my degree on the West Coast, I made some meaningful inroads into Hollywood.
I became involved with SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers), joining because of my background in videography, photography, and behind-the-scenes roles. I had worked as a stagehand, PA, a limited coordinator, and even as a background actor (human prop) through IATSE. My background in accounting gave me the insight to see that there was a narrow but valuable path to success in this industry.
Being part of SMPTE allowed me to access different facets of the industry. One of the highlights was attending a meeting hosted by the Academy in LA, where 300 cinematographers gathered to learn about the digitization of original nitrate films to preserve iconic works from being lost to time. As someone with a creative and technical mindset, it was eye-opening to witness the industry transitioning toward the digital future we now live in.
However, my journey took a turn when I realized that shutting down the federal money pipeline was a more pressing mission. After my research and experiments using Las Vegas as a real-time model, I decided to focus on that. As I’ve learned, there’s a story in every corner, especially in a place like the "Naked City." It’s a rich source of inspiration, full of untapped potential.
In Dallas, I being a member of AFTRA before the merger, but the opportunities were sparse for someone with my skill set because SAG had nothing. Dallas proved to be a creative dead zone, stifled by resistance to film incentives and an overall lack of support for innovative industries. The federal operations were still running full speed, but I felt like I was hitting walls. I saw firsthand how the city’s “Religiland” culture created a barrier to the kind of creative growth that thrives elsewhere. Again there is a story in the "Naked City".
Had I chosen to go to San Francisco instead, I could have had a completely different experience—one full of tech, venture capital, film industry connections, and even a bit of star power. Despite the challenges, I now realize that the stories we can tell—stories that emerge from every day, every city, every person—are invaluable. They can't be made up, especially when you encounter the fascinating and often absurd characters we meet along the way.
The beauty of storytelling is that it allows us to take real experiences and reimagine them, keeping them grounded in reality while also playing with the bounds of creativity. And with a simple "legal eagle" disclaimer—"Any and All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental!"—we can bring those stories to life in ways that resonate with audiences.
In the end, it’s all about finding that right connection, whether it’s in the industry or with the people who understand the work you're putting into the world. As the Bugs Bunny Show theme suggests, it’s all part of the larger, ongoing performance. And I'm ready for my role in it.
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Lots of valuable experience it seems, John. All good fortune to you!
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Ashley Renee Smith I have subscribed to IMDb Pro and I get notifications from the trades. I found that's pretty adequate and I also subscribe to Screen Daily, but I'm on the free service so I'm limited to how many articles I can read on there per month (which I think is a good thing!)
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P.S., John -- gotta love Bugs Bunny, right?
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More than you know but in relative terms, should have kept busy working in the interim on advertising but have been doing a deep study on our industry and its ancillary areas as I have been researching. Content development is a focus, that is why building a network, getting project, money and classes is so important. I wish you great fortune in your endeavors. Going to be a spectacular year for creativity, expression and work!