Hoooray for Hollywood... Jerks.

As much as I love movies and many of the people who work hard in the business, I sometimes can't stand the self-righteous sphincters who think they are all that.  For a group of people who are for equality and justice for all, some of them are the most un-equal people I have ever met.

In a time where we are hot after the CEO's of big companies (pre-bailout era) who would dare take a 10 million dollar bonus for running a large company.  Yet you don't see congressional hearings on how much Tom Hanks or George Clooney makes per film (20 million dollars for a mere couple months of pampered work).

Don't get me wrong, I think if you can legally find a way to make a lot of money in your profession, by all means go for it.  Just make sure when you point fingers, you level the playing field.

I remember the days where I thought it was glamorous to work on "Touched by and Angel" or "Dumb and Dumber" (we're talking early-mid 90's, I was a grip).  But I also remember the days when I had to sit on one side of the make-shift cafeteria during lunch while the talent sat on the other side, or their trailer.  And we were not allowed to talk to them.

My Hollywood days ended about 12 years ago on a long night of filming up Strawberry Lake in Utah on a film starring Gary Busey (don't remember the name).  I was working doing lighting for both the film itself, and in interview with the "stars" on Hollywood's Greatest Stunts.  It was nighttime and the interview had to be far away from the set.  I set up the interview and Gary finally showed up.  He had his sunglasses on, two chick by his side, and a cigar in his mouth.  For a moment, it was only him, his ho's and me. 

 

He looked at the chair... then looked around (at everyone but me), then asked "where's my chair?"  He repeated the question over and over, again looking everywhere but at my face, asking absolutely no one "where's my chair".

If I were a Hollywood wantabe, I probably would have said "oh, yes, Mr. Busey, I'll go find it for you, oh yes sir, what ever you say". But instead, because it was late and I was tired and had enough, I simply said, "get your own damn chair" and walked off.

And that was the last Hollywood film I ever worked on....

Gary, again looking every where but at me, repeated, "who is this guy!"  I was never fired.  It was a late night, I was doing double duty and we were all tired.  But I simply quit.

So there are two events this week that shows tolerance from the Hollywood establishment. 

First is Ashton Kutcher, who made that "pledge" to our illustrious president that he would make life a better day... then two weeks later, yelled at his neighbors' workers for hammering on the roof at 7:30 am.  (I don't have a link, but you will have to search the video).  

Then, just today, was released an audio clip from Batman actor, Christian (ironic) Bale (the sound man must have left the tape running), mouthing off to the Director of Photography.  I must warn you, it is foul.  But I don't care who you are, no one deserves that kind of treatment.  

Here is the clip.  Again, WARNING, it is foul.  The f-bomb about 37 times.

It brought me back to my Hollywood days.... and why I'm not there anymore.