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How to Successfully Fail in Hollywood

Our little indie that could is now available to view on Prime Video.

Please go to FunnyFailureFilm.com to find the streaming links. You can also click 'Website' link on this page. Thank you.

A deal is struck, who will win? Let the epic failures begin.

Synopsis: Ellie (C.M. Conway) is a bottom-feeder actress at the end of her rope in Hollywood, when a life-changing event happens with her gay, Latinx friend Ben (Adrian Gilbert). A surreal twist unfolds with comedic results, as she unwittingly becomes the key to a new take on Tinseltown where failure is the star.
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Quotes about, "How to Successfully Fail in Hollywood:"

“…true, funny and enlightening…” – Dan Taylor, Pulitzer-Prize winning Press Democrat

“Conway brings so much life to the film each moment she is on screen.” – Noah Abrams, NPR (KRCB)

“… very touched by Conway’s characterization of both grit and vulnerability.” – Eleanor Nichols, Executive Director, Sonoma Film Institute

“In terms of raw guerilla filmmaking talent, C.M. Conway has few contemporary rivals.” – Gordon Durich, The Hollywood Times

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We filmed in Sonoma County, the Bay Area and Los Angeles. Our film was selected by the renowned Sonoma Film Institute (SFI). We're honored to be among the groundbreaking, award-winning films and filmmakers presented at SFI. We were also awarded "Hot Film in the Making" by the Roy W. Dean Grant; and featured in No Film School, New York Magazine, NPR (KRCB), The Hollywood Times, Press Democrat, LIVE! IN THE BAY (KRON4), The Drive with Steve Jaxon and Harry Duke (KSRO), U.S. News and World Report, Magic Image Magazine, OwlGuru and Circle Around among others.

Our teaser is at the top of the page, the smaller video embed (with 'Play Trailer' title) is a live studio interview with our filmmaker on LIVE! in the Bay on KRON4.

Descriptors: Comedy, drama, witty, poignant, women, friends, Latinx, LGBTQ+, dreams, Hollywood.

Anticipated rating: PG-13

IMDb URL: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11946480/

  • Please visit our IMDb page for cast and crew credits.
    IMDb Page
    https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11946480/
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Genres:
    Comedy, drama, women, Latinx, friends, Hollywood, dreams, LGBTQ+
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 54 minutes
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    4K, RED (SCARLET-W) RAW, Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography

C.M. Conway discovered the love of filmmaking in elementary school, when a substitute teacher filmed each student hopping out of a barrel. Then, edited the footage to look like an endless string of barrel dwellers.

“How to Successfully Fail in Hollywood" is inspired by her years in Los Angeles and combines roles as first-time executive producer, director, screenwriter, editor and protagonist.

Ms. Conway has been interviewed on various media outlets. She’s overseen multimedia projects from low budget to the millions, with an unerring eye of unearthing revolutionary stories of women, marginalized cultures and communities.

Ms. Conway was raised and resides in the Bay Area, California. She studied for years in Los Angeles with Julie Ariola, the acting coach for many respected actors.

Additional training includes entertaining the children of many celebrities and directors in Hollywood.

Because if you can hold the attention of a room full of screaming toddlers, the sky is the limit.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

If you've ever had colossal failures on the way to a dream, this film is for you!

Our female-led film is a social agent of change, breaks barriers, and embraces funny failures. We're a champion of diversity, inclusiveness and gender equity.

Our big-hearted, bootstrapped film had a super-micro budget and was a community, grassroots effort of a hardworking skeleton crew and large cast. We filmed in the Bay Area and Sonoma County including local businesses that provided locations. Shoot locations also include Los Angeles, notably in front of the iconic Hollywood Sign.

Beneath the tales touting how to succeed in Hollywood, hides the crucial information of what NOT to do. That’s where the gold is buried, uncovering the pitfalls and pratfalls. Time to unearth the treasure.

A cinematic ode to the huge populations of struggling artists trying to make it against all odds on their terms; while navigating truth, fantasy and identity in Tinseltown.

Who better to tell this witty and poignant story, than those who know Tinseltown the best – the outsiders.

Because face it, failure is funny. Especially when it’s not happening to you.