Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started for free
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
The Disaster Artist summary
Greg Sestero
Tom Bissell
Brief summary
The Disaster Artist by Greg Sestero and Tom Bissell is a captivating memoir that provides an inside look into the making of the cult film The Room. It delves into the eccentric personality of the film's director, Tommy Wiseau, and the chaotic production process.
Topics
Table of Contents
The Disaster Artist
Summary of key ideas
The Beginning of a Disaster
In The Disaster Artist, we journey through the making of The Room, a movie often referred to as the 'Citizen Kane of bad movies'. The story begins with Greg Sestero, a young aspiring actor, who meets the enigmatic and eccentric Tommy Wiseau in an acting class. Despite their stark differences, the two bond over their shared dream of making it big in Hollywood.
Tommy, with his mysterious wealth and unplaceable accent, is a complex character who seems to defy all conventions. He is determined to make it in the film industry, and after a series of rejections, he decides to write and produce his own movie, The Room. He casts Greg as the lead, and their tumultuous journey into the world of filmmaking begins.
The Chaotic Making of The Room
The process of making The Room is chaotic, to say the least. Tommy, who insists on being involved in every aspect of the production, proves to be a perplexing and demanding director. His lack of understanding of basic filmmaking techniques, coupled with his propensity for last-minute changes, results in a set that is constantly in disarray.
Despite the challenges, Greg and the rest of the cast and crew are drawn to Tommy's unwavering self-belief and his refusal to conform to Hollywood norms. They continue to work on the movie, even as it becomes increasingly evident that The Room is shaping up to be a disaster.
The Premiere and Aftermath
After years of production, The Room finally premieres in a single theater in Los Angeles. The premiere is a disaster, with the audience laughing at the movie's unintentionally hilarious scenes. However, against all odds, the movie gains a cult following, with fans flocking to subsequent screenings to revel in its absurdity.
Despite its initial failure, The Room becomes a commercial success, albeit not in the way Tommy had envisioned. The movie's popularity propels it to midnight screenings across the country, and Tommy himself achieves a level of fame as the enigmatic creator of this unintentional comedy. The success of The Room is a testament to Tommy's resilience and his refusal to accept defeat.
The Complex Figure of Tommy Wiseau
Throughout The Disaster Artist, Tommy Wiseau remains a complex and enigmatic figure. His origins, wealth, and motivations remain shrouded in mystery. Despite his eccentricities and the disaster that was The Room, Tommy's unwavering self-belief and determination to see his vision through to the end are traits that Greg comes to admire, even as he struggles to understand his friend and collaborator.
In conclusion, The Disaster Artist is a captivating and often humorous account of the making of a cinematic disaster. It's a story about friendship, resilience, and the unpredictability of success. Despite all its flaws, The Room and its creator, Tommy Wiseau, have left an indelible mark on the world of cinema, proving that sometimes, even the most unexpected disasters can lead to unexpected triumphs.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is The Disaster Artist about?
The Disaster Artist is a memoir by Greg Sestero and Tom Bissell that delves into the making of the cult film The Room. It provides an insider's look at the eccentric director Tommy Wiseau and the chaotic production of a movie that would later be hailed as one of the worst ever made. With humor and sincerity, the book explores the complexities of friendship, ambition, and the pursuit of artistic expression.
The Disaster Artist Review
The Disaster Artist (2013) by Greg Sestero and Tom Bissell delves into the making of the notoriously bad film, "The Room," offering insights into the eccentric director Tommy Wiseau. Here's why this book is a captivating read:
- Featuring behind-the-scenes stories and personal experiences of the authors, it provides a unique perspective on the enigmatic figure of Wiseau.
- With its humorous anecdotes and unbelievable situations, the book offers an entertaining look at the challenges of making a movie.
- The absurdity and eccentricity of the characters and events portrayed ensure that the book is anything but dull.
Who should read The Disaster Artist?
Anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes stories of making movies
Fans of cult films and quirky, unconventional personalities
People who enjoy humorous and entertaining memoirs
Categories with The Disaster Artist
Book summaries like The Disaster Artist
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.8 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
43 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
The Disaster Artist FAQs
What is the main message of The Disaster Artist?
Mastering your craft and overcoming challenges in pursuit of dreams.
How long does it take to read The Disaster Artist?
The estimated reading time for The Disaster Artist is several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in 15 minutes.
Is The Disaster Artist a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Disaster Artist is a captivating tale of ambition and friendship. A must-read for movie enthusiasts.
Who is the author of The Disaster Artist?
The author of The Disaster Artist is Greg Sestero and Tom Bissell.
What to read after The Disaster Artist?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Disaster Artist, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Where Good Ideas Come From by Steven Johnson
- The Art Of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau
- A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink
- Theory U by C. Otto Scharmer
- The Design of Everyday Things by Donald A. Norman
- The Innovator ’s Dilemma# by Clayton M. Christensen
- The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
- Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull with Amy Wallace
- Think Like a Freak by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
- The Laws of Simplicity by John Maeda