What Every Recent Graduate Needs to Know About the Realities of Working In Hollywood Pt2 | with Zack Arnold (interviewed by Austin Coburn)

In Part 1 of my conversation with college student (and now graduate) Austin Coburn we discussed the many pitfalls that so many young, ambitious creatives fall into when they enter the working world hoping to “make it.”

Today's conversation is part 2 of our conversation, and in today's episode we flip the script and Austin interviews me from the perspective of a college student who is interested in creating better habits for both a successful career and a healthy lifestyle at the same time (Spoiler alert: The two do not have to be mutually exclusive). We talk about habits and strategies for working better and living healthier both in college and after graduation. And we discuss the important life skills that aren't taught in film school but are necessary to survive & thrive in the entertainment industry.

This conversation will not only benefit recent graduates but anyone looking to improve their decision making skills and enhance their well being and creativity through the development of proper habits and systems.

One quick caveat: This interview was recorded a few years ago back in the Fitness in Post days. Austin has since graduated and you can find links to his most recent work on Instagram.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

• How to manage the transition from being a student to taking your first career opportunity job.
• How to redefine and create balance between career, family/social life, and rest.
• The habits I learned in college that were no longer serving me and how I corrected them.
• Why you need to learn to turn the creativity switch off once in a while.
• Tricks I use to focus, increase creativity and reduce procrastination.
• How I use mindsets and environments to get the most out my productivity and creativity.
• What is the triangle of quality and why you can only have two of the three.
• The three pieces of equipment that I take with me to any office to facilitate movement throughout the day.
• How to manage the workaholic culture and the stigma around taking movement breaks.
• Finding strength in community.to create healthier work environments and cultures.
• Red flags to look for in job postings that indicate a poor work environment.
• Two core questions to ask yourself when considering a job.
• What positive qualities to look for in potential employers and what negative qualities to avoid.
• Learning the skills of what to say no to and what to say yes to.
• How students can start investing in their health for a long and successful future.
• The one skill that students can implement to set themselves up for good working habits in the future.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Spark Foldable Standing Desk

Topo Mat

CAP Barbell 15 Pounds Kettlebell

Tribe Resistance Band Set

Ep11: Making It In Hollywood as a "Creative" (What They Don't Teach You In Film School) | with Norman Hollyn

Continue to Listen & Learn

How to Become a Production Assistant (and Keep Getting Hired) | with Aaron Schmidt (optimizeyourself.me)

Ep115: How to Be So Thorough You Can’t Be Denied | with James Wilcox, ACE

Ep76: Transitioning to Scripted Television (Without Becoming an AE) | with Phil Habeger & Toni Ann Carabello

How to Stay Productive (and Stop Procrastinating) During Your Next Hiatus | with Debby Germino (optimizeyourself.me)

Ep129: How to Cultivate a “Service-Centric” Mindset (and Why It Will Make You More Successful) | with Agustin Rexach

Ep127: Chasing After the Next Gig vs. Building Your Career | with Kabir Ahktar, ACE

How Total Burnout Led to the Most Productive Year of My Life

How to Overcome Post-Production Burnout

Ep132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

Ep136: Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE

Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track

Ep118: Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ Years

Ep113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer.

Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working.

Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

Our Generous Sponsors:

Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast

As work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME.

→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!

This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don’t spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you.

Guest Bio:

Austin Coburn is a filmmaker and animator who graduated from George Fox University near Portland, Oregon. His latest works can be found in his Instagram & Vimeo accounts.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).