In honor of full disclosure, I admit that I have never been to Hollywood. I have seen a few movies, however. The first movie I remember is "Back to Bataan". That was a long time ago. Back then the people that made movies loved their country. That country that gave them the freedom to make their movies without government interference. And to make a ton of money doing it. I fear that those days are mostly gone now. Today it seem to be the fashion to hate your country and denigrate. That's supposed to prove how sophisticated and worldly you are. And it is also OK to despise those that you disagree with politically.
I actually admire the people that work in the movie industry. They are incredibly focused. They work very hard. They put in long days. And at times they deal in arduous situations. Let's break that down a little. They are very focused. But their focus is on themselves. That is alright. It has to be such to be successful in the movie business. You are the commodity that you are marketing. So everything in your life, if your smart about your career, is about enhancing and protecting your brand. When you're new to the trade the work needed to build your brand is immense. They all have near perfect bodies. That doesn't come without effort and sacrifice. They must learn a wide variety of skills so they will be ready for any role offered to them. They can dance. Most can sing some. They can ride horses. They learn to handle a wide range of weapons. They train their memories and their speaking voices. When they are new to Hollywood they must do other work to survive. When they become successful they must be out on the social circuit every night to be "seen". It is a lot of grueling work, if done right, but the rewards are enormous for success.
However, the fame and money gives them an overbearing sense of self importance. They are denied nothing. They are fawned upon. They become unfamiliar with the word no. More important, they live in an inbred society. They talk to each other. They share opinions with each other. Anyone that does not agree with the group-think is ostracized. Talking heads from TV are always seeking their opinion on important subjects. And they are most happy to share, so that the great unwashed masses in flyover country will know what they should think. The problem is, of course, that their ideations are seldom well informed or well thought out. They have long forgotten what it is to live as most of us live. That has never prevented them from knowing how the country should be run and how the rest of us should construct our lives. Of course, they are exempt. They are the rich and famous.
I like the Hollywood of the hard workers striving to make a name. Not so much the Hollywood of the rich and famous.
If you enjoy my blog, please pass the link on to your friends.
You say, "However, the fame and money gives them an overbearing sense of self importance. They are denied nothing. They are fawned upon. They become unfamiliar with the word no. More important, they live in an inbred society. They talk to each other. They share opinions with each other. Anyone that does not agree with the group-think is ostracized."
ReplyDeleteWho,in particular, are you thinking of? Your post is pointless unless you name names. It really sounds more like you are describing right-wing politicians. And certain pols are masters at denigrating and ostracizing POTUS, women's health, getting rid of the EPA, being in bed with the NRA and big business, and generally doing all they can to bring this country down. Not to mention the Catholic Church, which sticks it's nose into everything. Guess his Popeness doesn't know we have separation of church and state here.
I'm sorry if a few actors get your dander up, but, believe me, they are the least of the problems in this country--this country that I love despite everything.