Behind the Scenes: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck Documentary

Pandemic filmmaking isn’t a cakewalk. Here’s how I got my documentary made all the way in New Zealand.

Note: This post was originally published on MarkManson.net in April 2021.

For the past couple of months, I have been in New Zealand filming a feature documentary based on my work. And because I know there will be a bajillion questions about the film, the process, when it comes out, how it went, how it happened, etc., below I’ve written up more than you ever wanted to know about the process of turning a book into a film. This includes how I got into New Zealand during the pandemic, the process of making the film, what it’s going to be like, when it might come out, and much, much more.

How It All Started

In 2019, a New Zealand production company called GFC Films bought the film rights to my book, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, with the intention of creating a documentary based on it. Upon completing the deal, my agent coolly told me, “Just so you know, 99% of these things don’t get made, so don’t get too excited.”

I tempered my expectations and moved on with my life. It was a busy year. I had just released Everything Is F*cked: A Book About Hope…