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What Bill Burr's Panic Attack Can Teach You About Your Filmmaking Career
The comedian is a master at taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture.
Apr 17, 2025
I've written about my love of stand-up comedy before on this site, and one of the pillars in that world is Bill Burr. One of the funniest people out there, Burr is a comic, a writer, and a director.
But he didn't have success at all those things out of the gate. He was touring, doing small clubs, and trying to find his way in the world for a long time.
In an older clip, Burr was on Howard Stern, where he talked about how it basically took a panic attack to get his mind wrapped around his career.
Let's check it out and talk after.
Bill Burr on Questioning His Career
Like many artists, Burr didn't start out knowing comedy was his calling. He dipped his toes into more conventional careers, trying his hand at accounting and insurance sales, but never quite felt like he fit in.
I think many of us can totally relate to that.
It wasn't until he found himself among fellow comedians at Stitches Comedy Club that he experienced a true sense of belonging.
He calls these people "the same kind of weird," and that really spoke to me. You want to be around people who you think get you. The ones who match your freak.
This marked the beginning of his commitment to the craft and his work — to stick with it and to keep at it, even when you're bombing.
Even after 12 years in the industry, doubt crept in. Burr recounted a panic attack he experienced at The Funny Bone in St. Louis, a moment where he seriously questioned his chosen path.
He had no agent, no manager, and was watching waitresses count their money and wondered if he would ever actually get there and be someone who "made it."
Man, that's something I think everyone I know in film and TV feels. It's a relatable struggle for anyone pursuing a challenging dream – the moments where you wonder if the sacrifices are worth it.
I remember having a similar feeling when I was without reps and trying to just get a script passed around Hollywood. It felt like no one would give me the time of day, even after I had been on The Black List.
Burr also touched upon the delicate balance of supporting fellow comedians who are struggling, sharing his personal rule of offering encouragement just once, recognizing the internal drive required to keep going.
This is a rule I use as well. You can only cry for help once. So make sure you're really at rock bottom.
But look, the reason we're writing about Bill Burr right now is that he made it. He had that sheer perseverance that kept him going.
His story is a testament to the power of sticking with it, even when the path is uncertain and riddled with challenges.
I love interviews like this one because they give me the kick I need to keep going, to keep tapping the keys, and to keep my storytelling journey going.
I hope it does the same for you.
Let me know what you think in the comments.
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