Surviving Filmmaking:

A creative memoir about making films and coming home to what really matters.

Description

If you could wake up tomorrow and have your project done, would you?

Surviving Filmmaking: A Feature-Length Creative Journey chronicles Jess Costa’s ambitious effort to create her first feature film—and everything that unraveled and re-formed in the process. Through triumph, heartbreak, healing, creativity, and community, this memoir explores the emotional realities of taking creative risks, believing in yourself, the pressure of creative perfectionism, and the surprising freedoms.

With humor, warmth, and tactical tips, Jess invites readers to join her in questioning the “hustle or die” mindset so often intrinsic to creating. Whether you’re a filmmaker, writer, actor, or artist of any kind, this book is your reminder that you can choose rest, joy, and longevity—and still make something beautiful.