DMF Episode 304 — Assistant Director and Author Tommy Burke (Complete Interview): "You Won't Believe What Tommy Burke Faced in Hollywood!"

Welcome to the DMF! I'm Justin Younts, and today I have the pleasure of speaking with Tommy Burke, an assistant director with 30 years of experience in the film industry. Tommy has written a captivating book titled 'Not Just Sunglasses and Autographs,' where he shares his incredible journey through Hollywood. From his early days in Boston to working on major productions, Tommy's story is filled with humor, resilience, and valuable lessons. He talks about how he fell into the film industry, the importance of hospitality experience on set, and the challenges he faced, including battling cancer and living with Parkinson's. Tommy's insights into the film industry are not just entertaining; they are also inspiring. He emphasizes the importance of perseverance and adapting to challenges, making this conversation a must-listen for anyone interested in the film business. Join us as we dive into Tommy's experiences, his thoughts on the industry, and the wisdom he's gained along the way. Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker or just curious about the behind-the-scenes of Hollywood, this episode is for you!I apologize for the audio issues.00:00:00 - Introduction00:00:08 - Guest Introduction00:00:52 - Early Life and Background00:01:33 - Entry into the Film Industry00:01:50 - St. Elsewhere and the Start of a Career00:02:47 - Transition to AD00:04:28 - Experience in the Hospitality Industry00:06:18 - Experiences of Being Robbed00:07:05 - First Big Show - Mermaids00:08:22 - Role of an AD00:09:27 - Marketing Strategies00:09:58 - Working on Skin and Cancer Diagnosis00:10:30 - Cancer Treatment00:11:48 - Working During Cancer Treatment00:12:49 - Breakdown on Set00:14:12 - Revealing Cancer Diagnosis to Colleagues00:15:00 - Chicago PD - The Favorite Job00:16:06 - Diagnosis of Parkinson's00:16:54 - Working on Chicago PD00:17:06 - Experience with the Red Sox and the Partridge Family00:17:08 - Emergency Vitamin Drink00:18:03 - Working on Desperate Housewives00:19:18 - Experience on Crocodile00:19:19 - Directing Background00:20:20 - Experience of Being on Strike00:21:07 - Joining the DGA00:24:47 - Writing a Book00:25:56 - Experience on CSI Miami00:30:54 - Experience with Toastmasters00:32:12 - Living with Parkinson's00:34:13 - Current State of Film Industry00:34:17 - Unfortunate Experience While Producing a Film00:34:59 - Experience on Phantoms00:35:12 - Working with Peter O'Toole00:37:35 - Experience with David Bowie00:39:35 - Experience on Kibberley00:40:21 - Podcasting Experience00:42:32 - Daily Routines and Coping with Parkinson's00:45:14 - Physical Fitness Routine00:46:09 - Current Entertainment Preferences00:50:38 - Favorite Monologue00:50:49 - Discussing Classic Movies and The Godfather00:52:08 - Favorite Movie and Acting Education00:53:17 - How to Reach and Conclusion⁠⁠https://store.bookbaby.com/book/not-just-sunglasses-and-autographs⁠