Michael J Fox's memoir about shooting Family Ties and Back to the Future in 1985 offers a rare glimpse into the life of an unlikely Hollywood star. The book chronicles a three-month period when Fox, just 23 years old, was juggling his breakout role on the sitcom with the iconic film that would define his career.
The schedule was grueling, with Fox working 20-hour days, six days a week, without even an hour of downtime – a far cry from the standard contract demanded by most modern showbiz workers. This meager buffer time allowed Fox to keep up the pace, fueled by his singular talent and dedication.
Fox himself admits that he was not always confident in his abilities, but his experience as a skateboarding enthusiast and garage-band guitarist proved to be valuable assets on set. His tireless professionalism, however, remained unwavering, even when dealing with awkward interactions on set or navigating the complex Hollywood hierarchy of the time.
One notable anecdote reveals that Fox's height – 5ft 4in – initially worked in his favor as he was able to secure a US work visa based on his unique status. This skillset proved instrumental in playing Marty McFly, with Fox arriving on set already proficient in skateboard tricks and guitar skills.
Despite the challenges of landing the role, Fox's confidence grew as he tackled Back to the Future, an enduring classic that continues to captivate audiences today. The book delivers several treats for fans, including the revelation that no one on set thought the DeLorean was cool, and a behind-the-scenes look at how Marty's iconic cover of "Johnny B Goode" came together.
Ultimately, Fox's memoir does not provide any earth-shattering insights into why Back to the Future remains such an enduring classic. However, it does nail the film's emotional resonance, with a handwritten audience response card pinned on director Robert Zemeckis' office bulletin board still proudly displaying: "This is the most Godly movie I've seen." This reaction encapsulates the enduring appeal of the 1985 film – a testament to its ability to transport viewers to a bygone era and spark an unforgettable sense of wonder.
The schedule was grueling, with Fox working 20-hour days, six days a week, without even an hour of downtime – a far cry from the standard contract demanded by most modern showbiz workers. This meager buffer time allowed Fox to keep up the pace, fueled by his singular talent and dedication.
Fox himself admits that he was not always confident in his abilities, but his experience as a skateboarding enthusiast and garage-band guitarist proved to be valuable assets on set. His tireless professionalism, however, remained unwavering, even when dealing with awkward interactions on set or navigating the complex Hollywood hierarchy of the time.
One notable anecdote reveals that Fox's height – 5ft 4in – initially worked in his favor as he was able to secure a US work visa based on his unique status. This skillset proved instrumental in playing Marty McFly, with Fox arriving on set already proficient in skateboard tricks and guitar skills.
Despite the challenges of landing the role, Fox's confidence grew as he tackled Back to the Future, an enduring classic that continues to captivate audiences today. The book delivers several treats for fans, including the revelation that no one on set thought the DeLorean was cool, and a behind-the-scenes look at how Marty's iconic cover of "Johnny B Goode" came together.
Ultimately, Fox's memoir does not provide any earth-shattering insights into why Back to the Future remains such an enduring classic. However, it does nail the film's emotional resonance, with a handwritten audience response card pinned on director Robert Zemeckis' office bulletin board still proudly displaying: "This is the most Godly movie I've seen." This reaction encapsulates the enduring appeal of the 1985 film – a testament to its ability to transport viewers to a bygone era and spark an unforgettable sense of wonder.
I agree that Michael J Fox's memoir offers a fascinating glimpse into his life, but I'm not convinced it's entirely insightful... I mean, it's clear he was dedicated and worked hard, but it's also kinda glossed over how he managed to pull off that demanding schedule without burning out. 
Additionally, some of the anecdotes feel a bit too 'nice' or 'polished' for my taste - I'm sure there are some behind-the-scenes stories that got left on the cutting room floor. Still, it's awesome to see him open up about his experiences and passions, especially when it comes to skateboarding and music 
oh my gosh I'm literally reading this book in one sitting it's soooo fascinating to see how hard Michael J Fox worked on Back to the Future 
20 hour days 6 days a week is insane 
and that he could still do skateboard tricks and guitar skills on set is just amazing 
it's really inspiring to see him tackle the challenges of Hollywood back then 
he must've been so nervous, but at the same time, his passion for skateboarding and music actually helped him in his acting career 
anyone else remember watching Back to the Future as a kid and feeling like they'd traveled through time too? 
it's awesome that his memoir gives us a glimpse into the making of those movies, even if some stuff is still pretty secret 
? Michael J Fox's story is so inspiring, it makes me wanna cheer for the guy. He was already pushing himself to work 20-hour days, and you know what? It paid off 
. i mean, who knew being 5ft 4in could help secure a us work visa? it just goes to show that sometimes having an "invisible" advantage can make all the difference in breaking into the spotlight. and can you even imagine the look on the set of back to the future if fox's height was actually seen as a liability? 
anyway, i think what's really interesting about this memoir is how it humanizes the idea of stardom and highlights the importance of talent and dedication in overcoming obstacles. but let's be real, we all know that behind-the-scenes stories like these are just a tiny fraction of what makes a movie truly iconic 
). And wow, who knew his short stature was actually an advantage in getting a US work visa? That's wild! 
As a parent, I can relate to feeling like you're constantly juggling multiple roles and responsibilities - it's nice to know that even the most successful people have been there too.
! It's crazy to think that he was only 23 when he was balancing Family Ties and Back to the Future - talk about juggling multiple projects at once! 
His dedication to his craft is truly inspiring, especially considering how little downtime he had. I mean, can you imagine working 20-hour days, 6 days a week? That's some serious commitment 
20-hour days 6 days a week is NO JOKE 
and I love how he used his skateboarding skills to bring authenticity to Marty's character, who knew being a skateboarder would come in handy for a time-traveling DeLorean ride 
But what really gets me is how his height actually worked in his favor when it came to getting the US work visa - that's like, total flex for his career! 
and don't even get me started on the whole "no one thought the delorean was cool" thing... that's just not true 
. Who knew those skate tricks would be useful on set? 
And it's cool to see how his confidence grew throughout the filming process – I'm sure it wasn't always easy being the underdog in a big movie.
. The emotional resonance of that film is really what makes it last, and it's great that Fox's memoir highlights that 
.
it's crazy how much he poured his heart into that film, even when it felt like the whole crew thought the delorean was weird 
anyway, the fact that robert zemeckis' office still has that handwritten card from an audience member who loves the movie is just...wow 
And yeah, his height actually worked in his favor for getting that US visa and playing Marty McFly, who wouldn't want to be a skateboard-trick master on set