Hollywood Blog

Woody Up Close

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Get into the brilliant (and some would say, twisted) mind of one of the greatest directors and writers that Hollywood has ever known, Woody Allen. The book
Conversations with Woody Allen: His FIlms, the Movies, and Moviemaking by Eric Lax is as entertaining as its subject, and is dotted with quotes that are, well, so Woody Allen.

Allen explains many of the nuances of his films, his decision to make a “mockumentary” (long before the phrase was coined, and the project became trendy) and how he handles the cut-throat competition and general cattiness of Hollywood.

Excellent buy.

Originally posted on January 13, 2008 @ 3:58 pm

10 Smartest People in Showbusiness

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Who are the smartest people in the entertainment world? EW magazine attempts to make a list, naming the showbiz industry’s brightest minds. The criteria? They had to be at the top of their game, consistently cited by their peers as the best in their line of work. It also looked at all aspects of entertainment, going behind the scenes to the technical team who put the movie together, and management team who make those important decisions based on sheer “instinct.” Of its 50 names, here are the top 10.

1. Judd Apatow, director/writer/producer
2. Steven Spielberg, director/producer
3. James Cameron, director/producer
4. Ari Emanuel, partner of the Endeavor Agency
5. Will Smith, actor/producer
6. Meryl Streep, actress
7. Peter Rice, president of Fox Searchlight
8. Tyler Perry, actor/director/writer/producer
9. David Heyman, producer
10. John Knoll, visual-effects supervisor of Industrial Light & Magic

People who benefitted others in their line of work were placed higher on the list than the loners. EW claimed that they did 3 months of research, live interviews and consideration before finalizing this list. To read the entire list of the Top 50 Smartest People in Hollywood, please visit the source.

Originally posted on December 2, 2007 @ 6:16 pm

Hollywood salaries (it’s not what you think)

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The writer’s strike has got many people thinking about the Hollywood economy — and how most of the industry don’t lead the glamorous, luxurious life of A-list celebrities.

Though the 2006 study of the Motion Picture Association of America pins the average HOllywood salary at $73,000 a year, most employees get much, much lower than that. The average includes executive salaries, which reach millions of dollars a year. But carpenters, set decorators and scriptwriters are lucky to get $50,000 to $80,000 annually.

Pretty good rate, but factor in that these jobs aren’t steady. Most will work 8 months of a year, and will have to audition or bid for positions. Writer Diana Ljungaeus says “it’s milearned a place where everyone is something else.” Cab drivers are directors, cashiers are stand up comics. Most take two or three jobs to support a craft.

“Very few people can live off the arts of TV, theater and film. It’s a few that can and they live well. The rest of the hopeful are just struggling,” she adds.

Originally posted on November 12, 2007 @ 5:57 pm

The effects of the writers’ strike on Hollywood

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With the Hollywood writers strike in full swing, the big question is how it’ll affect TV and viewing as whole. For that we can turn to history. The last time writers walked off the set was in 1988. Nobody took it seriously, thinking (like previous protests) it would all be over in a few weeks. Actually, it lasted 6 months. And it was hell.

Network TV lost 9% of its audience, the Fall season was pushed back, and even after the writers were wooed back to work, 10% chose not to return. Scripts were in such high demand stations actually bid for it (very expensive). And, due to the slowdown of production, networks had to lay off other production crew — caterers, set designers, shipping services, and all the auxiliary services that make up the million-dollar industry. In those six months, Los Angeles’ economy lost hundreds of millions of dollars.

Clearly, there’s more at stake than whether or not we get a new episode of Leno.

Originally posted on November 7, 2007 @ 3:19 pm

Hollywood writers threaten to strike

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The Hollywood writers guild and producers have reached a plateau in their discussions about pay.

Most Hollywood production outfits have gone multi-media, spinning off TV content to web or mobile. Great for the viewers, but unfair for the writers. They’re seeking additional compensation when their materials are reproduced in new content platforms like DVDs, the Internet, or the mobile phone. If the talks don’t get resolved soon, the writers may call a strike. Reruns, anyone?

Originally posted on November 1, 2007 @ 11:54 am