Thursday, February 4, 1999
Women talk about trials, tribulations of show biz
Speakers reveal entertainment industry outlook, provide
advice
By Terry Tang
Daily Bruin Contributor
Anyone walking near a packed Ackerman Grand Ballroom Wednesday
at noon might have heard the collective roar from a powerhouse of
women.
Despite a last-minute cancellation by actress Jada
Pinkett-Smith, the Campus Events "Women in Hollywood" forum was
still a unique panel of seven Tinseltown veterans, relaxed in sleek
business suits or casual sweaters. The panel, in a forum last
presented in 1995, spoke out to UCLA students about the joys and
woes of showbiz from a female perspective.
Far from being a tea party, the latest question-and-answer forum
in the Campus Events speakers series not only touched on gender
issues, but how to keep gender from being an issue within the
entertainment industry, especially when writing scripts.
"The surest way to death is to make (films for women) your
responsibility," asserted writer Diane English ("Murphy Brown"),
who originally studied nursing in school. "I think you have to
write about what you know and what you care deeply about, and that
may not involve a strong woman character."
The bevy of on and off-screen queens also stayed firm in the
belief that creating testosterone-oriented movies was not beyond a
woman’s comprehension.
"The industry has to look at the ability to execute material and
not gender," said film producer Kathleen Kennedy. "I know when
Steven (Spielberg) directed ‘The Color Purple,’ he fell into a lot
of flack because he wasn’t black. Quincy (Jones) was the first to
say ‘Well, hey, he directed "E.T." and he wasn’t a Martian.’"
According to English, the tube is an especially inflexible facet
of entertainment for audience members without the Y-chromosome. In
an age where ratings sometimes appear as the stronger forces
driving the creativity of TV programs, advertisers forget that
older women make up a very important demographic.
"It seems like advertisers are addicted to chasing the
23-year-old white male. They don’t leave room for women like me,"
English said. "I wouldn’t be able to launch a ‘Murphy Brown’ today.
TV has just become very homogenized."
Meanwhile, Martha Coolidge, who is currently directing Halle
Berry in a bio-pic of actress Dorothy Dandridge, commended Berry
for distributing the film to HBO instead of a studio.
"HBO is unique in recognizing that they have a large African
American audience," Coolidge said. "It is difficult for actresses
in this town. And it’s 10 times more difficult for a black actress
in this town. She was smart in taking this movie to HBO because
they can make it quickly and the right way."
When asked by a student if the entertainment business was
getting kinder about reaching out to audiences and employees of
color, most of the panelists expressed a do-it-yourself
philosophy.
"I think if you go into this business feeling like you’ve got a
handicap, it’s over," English said. "You’re going to have to be the
trailblazers here. So, 10 years from now, this panel will have a
different look to it."
"We hired ourselves. Nobody invited us. There was no recruiting
day," added Wendy Finerman, producer of movies such as "Forrest
Gump." "You can knock on every single door. But, if you’re gonna
sit at home and lick your wounds, there are other jobs you might be
happy at."
Although students could not help but be awed by these
high-ranking Hollywood ladies, most of the speakers enjoy talking
to university pupils more than colleagues.
"I don’t like addressing people in the industry," admitted
English, who lingered at the reception afterwards. "I like speaking
if it has to do with a learning experience. Plus, this is just a
great group of women. Although next time, I’d like to have more
questions from the audience. But, I’d definitely do it again."
Denise Mann, discussion moderator and vice chair of UCLA’s
Independent Producers Program, was also pleased by the positive
outlook the women provided.
"These women have all hit their stride," Mann said. "Although
the one four years ago was great, this time I feel like there was a
more distinct, more optimistic portrait of women in this
industry."ALICE BROWN
Holly Hunter and Merrily Kane smile about women’s success in
Hollywood and the road of opportunity that lies ahead for
women.
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