红桃视频

DUDLEY, Mass. 鈥� 红桃视频 hosted acclaimed New York Times bestselling author, screenwriter and executive producer Casey Sherman on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, to discuss opportunities for students in the booming film and television industry in Massachusetts.

Sherman is the creative mind behind two Massachusetts-made blockbusters, Disney鈥檚 鈥淭he Finest Hours,鈥� starring Chris Pine and Oscar winner Casey Affleck, and 鈥淧atriots Day,鈥� starring Mark Wahlberg, as well as other notable productions. His latest book, 鈥淎 Murder in Hollywood: The Untold Story of Tinseltown鈥檚 Most Shocking Crime,鈥� was released in 2024 and is USA Today鈥檚 No. 1 best-selling true crime thriller. The book re-examines the story of Lana Turner and the death of her gangster boyfriend, Johnny Stompanato.

Sherman, a former journalist and current-day cinematic writer and producer, described how he was able to 鈥渕ake it鈥� in Hollywood and bring his best-selling novels to life in film and TV adaptations, divulging insider information on the process and career advice along the way.

Hollywood is no different than any other career in that perseverance is paramount, said Sherman. For his co-written novel 鈥淭he Finest Hours,鈥� which details the true story of the most daring rescue mission ever conducted at sea by the U.S. Coast Guard, Sherman noted how he never let 鈥榥o鈥� stop him from getting the film adaptation made. In so doing, he learned about the inner workings of Hollywood鈥攁nd the outsized role luck can play.

鈥淚 took my book [The Finest Hours] everywhere that I went, whether it was to get a cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee or to fill up my gas tank, because I believed that I would find somebody and meet the right person who would help me get this film made. And sure enough, I did.鈥�

A broken elevator brought Sherman his well-earned big break. At the end of one of his many pitch meetings, he pitched one last key executive as they walked down a flight of stairs; fast forward and the book was picked up by Disney and made into a film starring Pine and future Oscar winner Affleck. 鈥淵ou get 鈥榥o鈥� a lot in any business. Don鈥檛 take it. Just move on, go to the next person,鈥� said Sherman.

Following up this success, Sherman would go on to co-write 鈥淏oston Strong,鈥� a book on the Boston Marathon bombings and main source for the movie 鈥淧atriot鈥檚 Day,鈥� starring Mark Wahlberg. Since then, he also wrote and produced the stage production, 鈥淗unting Whitey,鈥� starring Neal McDonough (Yellowstone), and he will serve as executive producer for Amazon Studio鈥檚 upcoming television series, 鈥淗elltown,鈥� adapted from Sherman鈥檚 so-named 2022 national true crime bestseller, with Team Downey (Robert Downey Jr.鈥檚 production company) as co-producer. 鈥淗elltown鈥� is also expected to be filmed in Massachusetts.

Sherman discussed how the film and TV industry has shifted much of its business and productions to Massachusetts and New England, making it an exciting time for both business students and those looking for creative careers to land jobs on major Hollywood projects. He cited other acclaimed films and commercially successful movie and TV productions that have been made in the state, including 鈥淢aestro,鈥� 鈥淭he Holdovers,鈥� 鈥淏oston Strangler,鈥� 鈥淎merican Horror Story,鈥� and others. The film industry tax credits enacted by the state has created many jobs and opportunities to get involved, he said.

鈥淲e have a vibrant film community here in Massachusetts,鈥� said Sherman, who is also founder of聽, a film, television and theater production company headquartered in Boston. 鈥淵ou鈥檝e got the biggest directors and creative people in Hollywood right now, all coming here. So if you want a job in Hollywood, you don鈥檛 have to go to Hollywood鈥� to find your career path.

Audience members also asked about his writing craft, the benefits of improv, and his public speaking tactics, responding positively to the presentation.

Claire Curry 鈥�24, a marketing major and public relations minor, found the presentation eye-opening and helpful. 鈥淏efore this, I just watched movies and shows and didn鈥檛 necessarily think about the 鈥榖ehind the scenes鈥� and how much time it all takes. I really enjoyed learning about that aspect,鈥� said Curry.

鈥淚 also loved how he said he failed before he succeeded, because I think a lot of people forget about that. It鈥檚 great to know that the opportunities are there.鈥�

(Pictured above: Casey Sherman gives a talk on the film and television industry in Massachusetts.)