One Of Those Crappy News Days
But do you think that writers and actors should have anything to say about the product placement in the films and TV shows they appear in?
May 3, 2024
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It shows how out of it I was in trying to be in it, acknowledging that I was out of it to myself, and then thinking, “Okay, how do I stop being out of it? Well, I get some legitimate illogical narrative ideas” — some novel, you know?
So I decided on three writers that I might be able to option their material and get some producer, or myself as producer, and then get some writer to do a screenplay on it, and maybe make a movie.
And so the three projects were “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep,” “Naked Lunch” and a collection of Bukowski. Which, in 1975, forget it — I mean, that was nuts. Hollywood would not touch any of that, but I was looking for something commercial, and I thought that all of these things were coming.
There would be no Blade Runner if there was no Ray Bradbury. I couldn’t find Philip K. Dick. His agent didn’t even know where he was. And so I gave up.
I was walking down the street and I ran into Bradbury — he directed a play that I was going to do as an actor, so we know each other, but he yelled “hi” — and I’d forgot who he was.
So at my girlfriend Barbara Hershey’s urging — I was with her at that moment — she said, “Talk to him! That guy really wants to talk to you,” and I said “No, fuck him,” and keep walking.
But then I did, and then I realized who it was, and I thought, “Wait, he’s in that realm, maybe he knows Philip K. Dick.” I said, “You know a guy named—” “Yeah, sure — you want his phone number?”
My friend paid my rent for a year while I wrote, because it turned out we couldn’t get a writer. My friends kept on me about, well, if you can’t get a writer, then you write.”
~ Hampton Fancher
“That was the most disappointing thing to me in how this thing was played. Is that I’m on the phone with you now, after all that’s been said, and the fundamental distinction between what James is dealing with in these other cases is not actually brought to the fore. The fundamental difference is that James Franco didn’t seek to use his position to have sex with anyone. There’s not a case of that. He wasn’t using his position or status to try to solicit a sexual favor from anyone. If he had — if that were what the accusation involved — the show would not have gone on. We would have folded up shop and we would have not completed the show. Because then it would have been the same as Harvey Weinstein, or Les Moonves, or any of these cases that are fundamental to this new paradigm. Did you not notice that? Why did you not notice that? Is that not something notable to say, journalistically? Because nobody could find the voice to say it. I’m not just being rhetorical. Why is it that you and the other critics, none of you could find the voice to say, “You know, it’s not this, it’s that”? Because — let me go on and speak further to this. If you go back to the L.A. Times piece, that’s what it lacked. That’s what they were not able to deliver. The one example in the five that involved an issue of a sexual act was between James and a woman he was dating, who he was not working with. There was no professional dynamic in any capacity.
~ David Simon
That’s the producers job. Not the actors or writers.
It might be, but the people involved become associated with the product depending on how blatant the placement is. That said, how far down the credits does this approval go. The extras who have to hold up the Pepsi products in the background? (This product placement, sponsored by Pepsi (insert current slogan).
We’re giving Extra’s a say in product placement now?
Are the writers guild and SAG going to sit in on studio partner meetings as well, so they can have input on Happy Meals, Coke sponsorships and Frito-Lay sweepstakes?
It almost sounds like people think product placement is a universally good thing that no sane person could object to.
That’s certain peoples jobs. If they start letting everyone have a say in that? Things would never get done.
If William Broyles can be savvy enough to use the FedEx brand in “Cast Away” the way Andy Warhol used Campbell’s soup in his art, then damn right he deserves a cut.
I don’t think there need to be drawn-out negotiations about every deal. I do think writers and actors deserve some smidgen of consideration. I assume directors already have some say in this, correct?
I’m sure producers would love to have the actors and writers involved. Would make their day. I’m sure it’s like an actor being given tips, notes and advice on his acting choices by the producer. They all love that, right?
Whether actors love it or not, producers sure as hell do it. This would be a way to redress the balance.
Do people really think producers have it so bad?
If actors want a say in what goes on they should produce the material. Easy enough.
Actors make really lousy producers. All they look for is “does this script have some really juicy scenes for me to play? Make sure to spend a lot of money on makeup and good lighting”.
Shouldn’t actors be looking for their own material so they can control their own career and get better roles?
Matt Damon was obviously thinking about lighting and such when he wrote Good Will Hunting.
From the brief bits I’ve seen, it appears to me that, instead of having a say, they want a cut of the money such placements bring in.
Since the WGA specifically mentioned how writers sometimes have to write drafts beyond those specified in the MBA in order to accomodate product placement and both Guilds’ spokespeople mention the word “compensation” more than once, it appears to be far more about money than artistic integrity.
Not that such a thing is surprising, though I assume it’s one of those things you bring up in negotiations so you can agree to give it up in exchange for something you actually want (like better home video residuals).
its always about the money.
Should they have the right to object to product placement? Only if it creates an environment that they can’t (or shouldn’t have to) act in.
I saw Torque with a few friends and we couldn’t help but laugh out loud when we saw the dueling bikes in front of Pepsi and Mountain Dew billboards, shot as if Patton were in front of the American Flag.
Did it interfere with the audience watching the film? Probably if you have half a braincell remaining after watching that movie (though I still enjoyed it). But did it interfere with the actors? Of course not, it’s a backdrop, and it has nothing to do with portraying their character.
Now if your product placement is to turn into Jim Carrey’s wife from The Truman Show, then yes, I could see an argument, but until it actually effects your work on set, no, actors shouldn’t have a say. The only choice they should have is simply to walk off the set if they feel they truly cannot support such a product.
-m
If it weren’t for product placement these actors/writers wouldn’t be making half the money they make now. Like they care anyway? Not like they’re being forced to sell anything harmful.
Didn’t you ever do the science experiment where you left a chicken bone in some cola for a few days and soon it was all rubbery?
I am starting to figure out where you went wrong in life, jeffmcm. Your schooling was terrible.
Yeah, and now I have all these degrees and nothing to do with them.
After your statement before about chicken and cola I hope these tech schools give you your money back.
So nobody ever did that experiment? It’s something you do in elementary school to get kids to not drink so much pop. Anyone?
No. How does it even relate to the thread here at all?
Terence D said “it’s not like they’re being forced to sell anything harmful” right after Torque was mentioned with product placement for Pepsi and Mountain Dew.
Actors have to take jobs to further their careers and their craft. They should be worrying about scripts. Not what Pepsi is trying to sell.
If you care that much go to the theatre and take the pay cut.
Jeffmcm, We used a penny instead of a chicken bone, but that experiment and variations thereof are common (though it gives a somewhat misleading message. With about twice the acidic content, orange juice is actually more potent for such experiments, but using orange juice wouldn’t carry the same message).