Why Hollywood as We Know It Is Already Over

[Sanguine]

With theater attendance at a two-decade low and profits dwindling, the kind of disruption that hit music, publishing, and other industries is already reshaping the entertainment business. From A.I. Aaron Sorkin to C.G.I. actors to algorithmic editing, Nick Bilton investigates what lies ahead.

by Nick Bilton

January 29, 2017 6:00 pm

I. The Raindrop Moment

A few months ago, the vision of Hollywood’s economic future came into terrifyingly full and rare clarity. I was standing on the set of a relatively small production, in Burbank, just north of Los Angeles, talking to a screenwriter about how inefficient the film-and-TV business appeared to have become. Before us, after all, stood some 200 members of the crew, who were milling about in various capacities, checking on lighting or setting up tents, but mainly futzing with their smartphones, passing time, or nibbling on snacks from the craft-service tents. When I commented to the screenwriter that such a scene might give a Silicon Valley venture capitalist a stroke on account of the apparent unused labor and excessive cost involved in staging such a production—which itself was statistically uncertain of success—he merely laughed and rolled his eyes. “You have no idea,” he told me.

After a brief pause, he relayed a recent anecdote, from the set of a network show, that was even more terrifying: The production was shooting a scene in the foyer of a law firm, which the lead rushed into from the rain to utter some line that this screenwriter had composed. After an early take, the director yelled “Cut,” and this screenwriter, as is customary, ambled off to the side with the actor to offer a comment on his delivery. As they stood there chatting, the screenwriter noticed that a tiny droplet of rain remained on the actor’s shoulder. Politely, as they spoke, he brushed it off. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, an employee from the production’s wardrobe department rushed over to berate him. “That is not your job,” she scolded. “That is my job.”...

http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/01/why-hollywood-as-we-know-it-is-already-over

[mountaineer]

Until we went to "Patriots Day" a week or two ago, we hadn't been in a movie theatre since "Passion of the Christ." As for TV, except for "Person of Interest," which no longer is in production, in the past several years we haven't watched any programs with actors besides 15-20 year-old reruns of "Law and Order" and "Seinfeld."

Most of what Hollywood churns out is a waste of my time. Very little of what I see advertised appeals to me in the least. 

My father worked in Hollywood 1962-65 and the more he saw of it, the more disgusted he was.

[Cripplecreek]

Industries change and Hollywood is no exception.

[Sanguine]

Industries change and Hollywood is no exception.

I would love to see the worship of ignorant and intellectually challenged "stars" go away.

[Cripplecreek]

I would love to see the worship of ignorant and intellectually challenged "stars" go away.

Worship of celebrity is human nature and its gone on since humans have been able communicate tales of "great deeds" of one to the simple folk of the neighboring town.

Its what drew Lincoln to the Ford theater. He wanted to see the famous actor John Wilkes Booth in the new play everyone was talking about.

[Frank Cannon]

I would love to see the worship of ignorant and intellectually challenged "stars" go away.

I don't think there is any worship of these dopes. Look at how hard they tried to move the needle towards Socialism with their daily videos through the election. They were mocked instead of heeded. There is also the small matter that there are no new big stars who are household names anymore. Who is the modern day Rock Hudson, Burt Reynolds or Doris Day? They all have been replaced with reality stars with sex tapes.

[mountaineer]

Worship of celebrity is human nature and its gone on since humans have been able communicate tales of "great deeds" of one to the simple folk of the neighboring town.

Its what drew Lincoln to the Ford theater. He wanted to see the famous actor John Wilkes Booth in the new play everyone was talking about.

You do know Booth wasn't in "Our American Cousin."  Maybe he sent Lincoln a fake tweet saying he'd be there, though.