Writers march on the fourth day of the strike by the Writers Guild of America, protesting in front of the offices of Netflix in Hollywood, California, May 5, 2023 – Copyright AFP Patrick T. FALLON
It’s hard to describe the sheer pettiness of Hollywood. Revelations are emerging of people receiving checks for a few cents. Some get nothing. Residuals are a type of royalties for reruns.
The wages aren’t too great, either. Orange is the New Black cast members had to work day jobs. This is the glitzy world of Hollywood? Looks more like Third World outworkers.
This is corporate culture incarnate – Pay nothing if you can get away with it. You can spend the rest of your life being famous or semi-famous, with the opportunity to be broke as well. It’s a lousy way to live. That’s what this strike is all about.
For writers, the money has to stretch over maybe years, and until the next job. This is a gig economy by any standards, and it’s tough.
Human dignity is also expensive. Paying for food or anything else costs a lot more than a few cents. Busboys get paid more than these people get for their work which makes billions for the suits.
Bob Iger, Disney CEO, has been called out by just about everyone for his comment that the unions are being “unrealistic” in their demands.
Let’s try a bit of realism, shall we?
Movies, streams, and TV shows don’t make themselves. Doesn’t matter what sort of production you use, including AI, there are people involved at all levels.
Movies and all visual media are about watching new things and watching people. “Likenesses” are not people you can relate to.
Audiences don’t have to watch anything or buy merchandise. Somebody has to sell these movies to the audience. This entire sector can be turned off with a click.
The glitz and glamour are based on people. How glamorous is a non-existent person?
The creativity comes from people. No ideas equals no product.
The hard work comes from people. Bringing a movie to life needs strong characters, not cookie-cutter clones.
For an industry that would have gone bust without George Lucas, Stan Lee, and now Mattel and the nuclear weapons program, it’s an odd take on “reality”.
If you’re depending on a plastic doll from 1959 for revenue, you need to take another look. Creative input is clearly not welcome in Hollywood. Wanna try a few more prequels? How about a prequel to The Flintstones, an animated cartoon based on the zany adventures of rocks? That’ll sell. Like a rock. It’s also what you’re paying these people with – rocks.
The money issue has another side. Let’s not talk about RICO laws. I’ll leave out the decades-old money laundering and budget accounting rumors. But… Where does all that money go? Billions of it? Does anyone really believe that people working in the sector for years don’t know how to cost their own work? I’m pretty sure someone would know where that money goes.
Meanwhile back on the racket… I mean ranch, obviously… Has it occurred to the Hollywood branch of the Mensa Society that if they don’t need actors, they don’t need suits? AI can do it all. Just a thought.
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Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in this Op-Ed are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Digital Journal or its members.