OSCAR RANT!

I remember when the Academy Awards inspired me to become a filmmaker.  Then the Awards inspired me to keep going with the slogan, "why not me?".  Independent Films started gaining momentum with successes like "Little Miss Sunshine."  Now I watch the Academy Awards and it inspires me to move out of the country and become a filmmaker elsewhere.

I heard thanks and awards go out to, Canada, Argentina, Venezuela, Mexico, United Kingdom, Bulgaria, France and Spain.  This doesn't include the Foreign Language nominees.  Thanks for clearing up the Foreign Film versus Foreign Language Film category.  That's been changed and I am guessing that I wasn't the only one miffed at these U.S awards going abroad.

It would be nice if the award show could actually stay within three hours.  They joke, poke fun and  complain about how long the Oscar Show is and then go across the street to thank the people sitting in a movie theater for their support.  The bit is cute, but it took twelve minutes.  You want to shorten the show even more, get rid of the Foreign Language Award.  No one in the U.S. truly cares about that award.  Give it away during one of the commercials and tell us what we missed when we come back.  Same for short subjects, documentaries and such.  These are categories where we go to the bathroom or make a sandwich.   "Dunkirk" won three Oscars; Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Editing.  The same team received the award for each.  Usually the sound mixing and sound editing awards go to the same film and team.  Why did we split those awards again?  Combine them back!  If the "Dunkirk" team was smart, they would have thanked everyone during the first award and gone up and won the Jet Ski with the second or third award.

Limit the acceptance speeches for the early awards to one person accepting on behalf of the film.  Give them a minute and move on.  Seriously, text everyone your thanks and buy them a drink at the after party.  In Memoriam?  When did the singer become more important than those that have inspired us over the years passing?  I was going to be pissed off because a friend of mine's father passed and he was left out.  I am speaking about Richard Venture.  Look him up, his credits were definitely worth a mention.  He played Al Pacino's brother in the Academy Award winning film, "Scent of a Woman," "Clint Eastwood's commanding officer in "Heartbreak Ridge," the American Ambassador in the Academy Award winning film "Missing."  Here's a man and name you may not recognize but a face that has played with some of the greatest names in Hollywood.  However, the Academy also forgot to mention Oscar winner Dorothy Malone, the Director of three Bond films and the Academy Award nominated film "Alfie, Lewis Gilbert and "Poltergist" director Tobe Hooper.  Holy crap, Batman!  Who screwed this up?

Someone was upset David Ogden Stiers was left out, but he died two days before and in 2018.  It's supposed to be those we lost in 2017.  You can bitch about David next year if they leave him off.  Adam West was a studio contract player before he became television's Batman and Batman had at least two movies starring Adam West.  

Anyway, it got me to calm down when I saw others were omitted and not just Richard Venture.  I was a real fan of Richard's work and actually got to work with his talented son Tony on a movie as well as hear his band play at clubs from time to time.  I'm sorry for your loss, Tony and even if the Academy Awards didn't do it, I want everyone to know another talented actor was lost in 2017.

Not to brag, but all my selections posted last week were correct.  I'm glad the award season is over and I can get back to the usual grind.  

Next week I'll be writing about the paperwork that needs to be filed by filmmakers using the Ultra Low Budget.

Until then, see you at the movies!

Bob

Was Olivia de Havilland groped by David O. Selznick?

First off I want everyone to know that I do NOT condone any type of sexual harassment in the workplace.  It's not acceptable and there are no exceptions.  Those people are predators and should be turned in, arrested and tossed in jail.

The next section of my blog may be a bit controversial but remember, my Blog is supposed to make us think before we condemn.

Did David O. Selznick grope Olivia de Havilland?  I don't know but it wouldn't have surprised me. Producers and studio executives in Hollywood have behaved like primates since the industry was created.  It was a big factor in the reason Florida's Bible Belt kicked industry types to Hollywoodland, California.  Funny how Florida has been trying to get them back to Florida ever since. Just not as aggressively as Georgia, Louisiana and New Mexico.

There's a documentary out there entitled "Moguls," it's about the creation of the Hollywood as we know it (or remember it).  Studio heads like, Jack Warner and Louis B. Mayer, actually had a hidden bedroom in their offices to bed young starlets.  Predators?  Ya think?  You feared coming forward for the possibility you'd be outcast from the industry that you'd do "anything" to get into.  Don't tell me that Jane Russell's audition at the soda shoppe where she was discovered had anything to do with how she ate ice cream or drank soda.  It was how she fit into that sweater that enhanced her talents and the rest is history.

If you saw the made for TV mini-series "Feud" it showed what both Joan Crawford and Betty Davis went through to stay on top. If they wanted to remain stars they had to either manipulate or surrender to the men in charge.  Betty Davis had the stronger personality than Joan Crawford but they both hung on reinventing themselves as they got older.  By definition "Sexual Harassment" means creating a hostile environment in the workplace.  Which by that same definition means it does not limit a hostile environment to sexual advances but racial and sexual preference prejudices as well.  

Why are so many people coming out of the woodwork to accuse celebrities of harassment?  I understand current attacks but attacks from thirty and even forty years ago?  Some are coming forward after signing a nondisclosure agreement and cashing a check.  I missed the part in the articles where it was reported the victims gave back the money to clear their guilt of not reporting the incident when it happened?  Is it rape when a guy bounces a check on a hooker?  Or is it implied consensual sex when she took the check in the first place?  Some are even coming forward to report an incident where the person in question already received and accepted an apology.

The casting room couch has been an industry joke for generations but now it's taboo.  A lot of people knew about Harvey Weinstein's sick behavior and no one said a thing.  Why?  Peer pressure?  I understand victims coming forward against Bill Cosby.  They have accused him of drugging and raping them and like the Penn State Football coach, justice needs to be served.  Sickening to think about but I am sure "The Cos" will get his day in court and the day to meet his maker and explain.

I've been in the industry a long time and have seen all types.  Predators included.  I've even been to restaurants for a meal and to pick up a script.  However, my own choice would be when told a producer is waiting for me in his hotel room to give me script that the script was the last thing he was giving me.  Red Flag - no matter what sex you are.  How bad do you want this job?  Would it have been better for Weinstein to have a hidden bedroom in his office at TWC and Miramax like Sam Goldwyn?  I presume by today's standards that would have been worse, right?  I guess I just wasn't groped by anyone important enough to come forward.  But as an actor that came up as "the all American boy" I had my share of harassment but I said "no" and the predator listened and went on to the next victim.  Saying "no" and meaning it helps.  No NDA's and checks to buy my silence just a plain ole "no."  Jerry Seinfeld says, "Political correctness is ruining comedy....."  Here's another controversial topic that I will probably receive nasty comments but isn't that what this column is all about.  Is it okay for a handsome leading man to give a neck rub to his costar but harassment when a fat character actor does the same?

I remember Kelly Ross, one of the first women producers at Paramount.  Kelly opened her own studio (CineTrust) in the late 80's.  I met her in an elevator at AFM and pitched her my film "Blood, Sweat & Bullets."  She pushed it through with me at the helm as director.  During the casting of this female "Dirty Dozen" I had nine actresses remaining for seven roles.  The females all had to do a shower scene in the film.  "Tasteful" I explained.  I only had males in the casting room when Kelly arrived and asked if I was done.  In those days, especially on VHS, sex, and violence and good packaging sold films.  Kelly wanted to make sure my selections were okay with the nudity.  I told her "they said they were."  She immediately went into the room where the nine actresses were seated and yelled at them to get undressed.  Seven were as naked as Clark Kent in a phone booth forgetting his Superman Costume.  They other two walked out.  Kelly said, "now these are okay with the nudity." To her credit it was easier to eliminate the two that way.  That was thirty years ago.  I am guessing that process isn't acceptable in today's world.

I guess what I am saying is, "the times they are a changin'".  Make sure you have at least one assistant or at least one female in attendance when casting your film.  It makes for a safer environment for not only the performer but for you as well.  Now at least there is a witness.  Follow SAG/AFTRA rules for casting even if you aren't shooting a union film.  There's a reason the union requests a certain process and if you are going to be successful in the business, as well as respected, it's good to learn to do things correctly and according to the new industry standards.  Treat others as you would like to be treated.  Someone NOT in the entertainment business came up with that one and it works.

My intention wasn't to offend but to offer a different opinion.  Read everyone's and come up with your own.  Until next week.......