Agents

Covered in this section is Jack Valenti and the MPAA. Not long ago, I would not have known much about the process of how they decide the ratings of films. But after seeing This Film isNot Yet Rated, I know that this group likes to stay in the dark. Now, I know their decision making does not have any rhyme or reason and can limit a film’s potential. I also know that without a rating a film dies in the box office. So the film will probably end up being filtered or altered so the studio can get a better rating. And that the black spot for filmmakers is NC-17.
Another topic discussed is actor’s choice of agents and/or managers. I had read the early MGM from different starlet memoirs owned everything pretty much but their souls. However, MGM did keep them away from a lot of negative press. Judy Garland’s mother was basically her agent. Her mother wanted her to be a star and go above and beyond. So she would often let her fall prey to the studio because Judy was terrified of thought of disappointing her mother. The studio owners kept her for a long time imprisoned with a young girl and a virgin appeal. Everyone for the most part of Wizard of Oz was terribly uncomfortable in their costumes. Garland had to wear a very tight wrapping cloth so it would not appear that she had breasts. Another issue on the set was the scene in which she had a slap the Lion for frightening Toto. They kept shooting the scene over and over because instead of slapping him, she would laugh hysterically. She said she couldn’t bear the thought of hitting him. Then the director had enough and went across the set, slapped her hard in the face, and told her in one or more words that’s how you do it. When she came back from a brief timeout, she slapped the Lion perfectly. Actors and actresses used to be so owned by the studios. It is scary and not the rosy picture you’d associate with a classic film. Or that this role crippled her in a sense because studios did not want her to grow up or marry in real life. The beloved song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlH68k832Ew