Writer-Producer Patrick Massett talks Tomb Raider, Val Kilmer, and Friday Night Lights | Ep 37

Welcome to the Actors Guide to the End of the World Podcast, Episode 37!

This week we have a very special guest, prolific screenwriter and producer, Patrick Massett!

This episode is packed as Patrick walks the guys through his incredible career spanning decades, beginning with hitting it big co-writing Lara Croft: Tomb Raider w/ Angelina Jolie, the most successful video game adaptation until Super Mario.

E-Kan and Rian got a treat to Patrick’s many classic Hollywood stories like doing theater with Val Kilmer and behind the scenes hanging on the set of Oliver Stone’s "The Doors" and how sometimes you gotta take big swings to succeed in this industry.

They  go back to the Patrick's early days starting out as an actor, working with some of the greats in TV history, including Ron Moore, Larry Gordon, and Sean Ryan, as well as humble beginning growing up in Nebraska. You'll hear a hilarious story of how he got into his first acting class and yet another lesson why everyone should take an acting class.

 

Patrick talks about pivoting from acting to screenwriting and following his passion for telling stories.

He also talks about his writing process and why handling criticism and feedback are so important to his success. This is a masterclass in how to handle the ebbs and flows of a tricky and evolving entertainment industry.

Of course they eventually get into the polarizing AI conversation, and a larger discussion about data, money, and how it all will affect our entertainment industry and global economy, as well as an alarming warning of what might happen if we're not careful.

This episode was so packed, stay tuned for a part two coming soon!

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Time Stamps:

(0:00) Intro

(1:30) AI Regulations survive

(3:00) Growing up in Nebraska and how it started

(4:00) Shooting big helped them land Tomb Raider

(7:30) The old Hollywood we miss

(9:00) How a Nebraska quarterback got into acting and writing

(10:49) Being old friends with Val Kilmer

(11:30) Early inspirations and falling in love movies

(13:10) Writing success rescued him from being broke

(15:15)Mick Jagger and taking risks

(16:45) How they landed Angelina Jolie

(22:30) Getting typecast as the bad guy

(28:55) How he started acting because of football

(29:36) Doing Shakespeare with Val Kilmer

(37:30) When Rian auditioned for Patrick

(40:00) Pivoting from acting to writing and trusting your gut

(41:21) Against all odds with Friday Night Lights

(46:40) It’s a collaboration

(52:15) Fighting the algorithm and the magic of the unknown

(56:00) Why we need AI regulations and the future of TV

(1:06:00) Final thoughts and keys to success