I just gotta say this. Its killin' me ......

[Stinky The Clown]

"Hollywood" is a major industry in this country. It employs close to half a million people. Mostly union people. Wages are NOT high for the average person employed in the film industry. Unemployment is all to common among these people. "Hollywood" always has been - and continues to be - a net export for us.

"Hollywood" is not just Barbara Streisand and Rosie O'Donnell. Hollywood is my brother-in-law, who does voice over and some bit acting parts and has to use the VA for his medical care. Hollywood is that theater popcorn seller making minimum wage. Hollywood is an American Art Form no less than Picasso or Rembrandt were artists.

Some funding that might help that industry is not 'laughable'.

I.

Fucking.

Hate.

Republicans.

[BuelahWitch]

1. The Mayor of Los Angeles was on Hardball the other night stating the same fact

Of course, big mouth Tweety hardly let him get a word in edgewise.

[tkmorris]

2. When you're right you're right

So why do you think Repubs rail against Hollywood so often? I have my own ideas, just wondering what others thought.

[ipfilter]

3. Because they are all reds. nt

[Stinky The Clown]

Lots of reasons

Easy target is one. Going back to thee 30s when the stars were glamorous.

Gay tolerance

Liberal bias

A product that, while truly an art form, is often frivolous ("screwball" comedies kept spirits higher than they might have been otherwise during The Depression)

But mostly it is the gay thing.

And the liberal bias.

[BrklynLiberal]

10. Jon Stewart brought this out on his show one night this week.

Jon Stewart has been excellent this week.

It is great because he makes those idiots the object of derision and laughter, and that is what they have to become...irrelevant jokes.

[tkmorris]

19. Yep, pretty close to my thoughts

I think Hollywood by necessity more or less accurately reflects what Americans think. They HAVE to, as they have to sell each product they make. If they make shows or movies that don't resonate with at least a significant demographic group they lose money.

Republicans want to control the message. Hollywood often balks their attempts to do it. These people really don't like freedom very much do they?

[Hello_Kitty]

7. Because liberals pretty much own creativity

While there are a few conservative producers and directors, most of their stuff is shite. Conservatives are boring and bitter and no one wants to watch any stories about them.

[roguevalley]

23. because the creative world is forward thinking and thereby liberal

and liberals are usually dems. They hate that people who can think and visualize and create think they are nazis. That is why. :)

[Donnachaidh]

4. Will Hollywood accept ceiling caps on salaries?

I don't have a problem with helping the *industry*, but some of those folks are not known for working *on the cheap*. If they are willing to have the same restraints as the government wants to put on others, why not?

[Stinky The Clown]

8. Because the money is VERY different

I hope you're being serious and not intentionally obtuse.

The salary caps have to do with bankers using bailout money for all manner of bullshit - including personal enrichment.

The money on the stimbill is earmarked for a specific purpose. I dare say not one cent will go to Barbara Streisand's bank account.

[Donnachaidh]

17. And producers use money for all manner of bullshit too

Including personal enrichment.

WHY is it not okay to ask that they have to put up with the same sort of caps? Because it's the *arts*? And there are NO producers or anyone on *non-celebrity* status that has kept pristine books on films they've made?

Double standard.

[Stinky The Clown]

25. Okay, you've flogged this in at least two threads I know of

I am not going to engage you.

You're being intentionally obtuse.

Good day to you.

[CTyankee]

5. Every decent, civilized country in the world subsidizes its culture and art.

While Hollywood puts out a lot of trash, I haveyour perspective also. And, like you, I have family there in the midst of a horrible unemployment situation, desperately trying not to lose their house, looking for jobs where none exist and having to raise a special needs child.

I love the fact that Hollywood has such a dazzlingly talented population. There are some extraordinary people there. It deserves some help. Perhaps some help can be forthcoming in future legislation. I feel terrible for the people whose misery cannot now be mitigated by a stimulus bill.

[Captain Hilts]

6. It's VERY labor intensive. nt

[BrklynLiberal]

13. I. E. VERY UNION INTENSIVE - another constant target of the repukes..

[Shakespeare]

9. Thanks for this post. I work in Hollywood, and work in one area of "the industry."

Most people don't stop and think about Hollywood as a union town, but it certainly is. And we employ lots and LOTS of people.

[lapfog_1]

11. It's caterers and electricians and stage hands and grips and

hairdressers and makeup artists (nobody looks good on TeeVee or film without makeup).

For every person you see in a film (including the extras, who often work for peanuts or sometimes no pay), there is likely 10 people working behind the camera. And most people who "work" in Hollywood are unemployed for much of the year.

[BrklynLiberal]

12. Off to the greatest...

[Starry Messenger]

14. Yep.

My little bro works in set building. He's gotta eat, too!

[callous taoboy]

15. I feel similarly in my line of work as an art teacher:

Art and music are always the first to be put on the chopping block when states have to cut back on education spending. But as Doc Severinsen said in an interview, this is tragic on many levels but on a basic level it deprives the artistic among us to develop skills that we may one day use in a line of work.

[1776Forever]

16. The Repub's are Frickin' Hypocrites who worship Ronnie Reagan - A B Actor!

:popcorn:

[ipfilter]

21. That's a good point. nt

[RandySF]

18. Let me see

1. Actors/Actresses
2. Voice-overs like you borther-in-law
3. Set builders
4. Lighting crews
5. Directors
6. Dance choreographers
7. Catering services (and I mean food, not cavier)
8. Truck drivers
9. Hotels and retaurant workers for tourists and where movies are made "on location"
10. Costume designers and makers

Am I missing anything else?

[Beaverhausen]

24. accountants, lawyers, administrative assistants (that's me!), maintenance crews...

And don't forget the businesses in town that are supported by those in the industry. Restaurants, clothing stores, hotels, nail salons...

Yes, I work at a big film studio.

[MicaelS]

20. I hate the hypocrisy of the industry

The studios / production companies are always screaming about piracy and the accompanying loss of American jobs, and demanding government do something to combat piracy. The they turn right around and make tons of movies and TV programs in Canada and overseas. There simply is not much "solidarity" between the producers / directors / actors as a group, and the rest of the industry. Many of these "name" people could, and should, put their foot down and publicly demand more production be done right here in the US, but the fact they don't proves to me they're scared for their own jobs. If there's any stimulus going to Hollywood then the money and the jobs need to stay right here in the US.

[1776Forever]

22. Excellent point! I feel the same when all the BIG names go to Africa & forget Detroit!

Here's to Michael Moore who never forgot where he was from!:applause:

[northofdenali]

26. And "Hollywood" isn't just in Hollywood -

every state (I think) has a film office, and if a documentary or film is ongoing in that state, there are LOTS of attendent jobs and offshoots of "The Industry".

I have a cousin with the State of Tennessee (Athletic Office) who says they'd have a difficult time budget-wise without "Hollywood". Ditto many family/friends in Florida, Georgia and Maryland.

We Alaskans have a tendency to disparage the tourism industry! Same deal - tourism-related jobs usually pay shit, but they are jobs, and without folks coming to visit our state would have one hell of a worse time with its economy.

HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD!!

[Warren DeMontague]

27. No shit. At least they're still MAKING something-- in this country, no less.

While we're at it, let's help Silicon Valley with some R&D funding, eh? That's how they do it in Japan & South Korea.

[deaniac21]

28. We need to give money to every sector of the economt!

[GeorgeGist]

29. Frankly, the quality of Hollywood 's products have become rather pedestrian of late.

It isn't for lack of money.

[madinmaryland]

30. Well, when you have Lyndsey Lohan (sp?) as the poster girl of Hollywood

that is going to be the result. In fact, I blame Hollywood itself for trying to "over-glamorize" itself.

:shrug:

On edit: Should we be allowing the Ronald Reagan theory of trickle down economics to work so perfectly as it does in Hollywood?