There's no business like show business. Hollywood is known as the capital of the American movie industry. It is a symbol of glamour, ambition and success, and every aspiring actor’s dream to be a part of this movie powerhouse that produces hundreds of movies each year. However, the success of the movie industry also has a dark side that is dominated by power and money. A complex power struggle between studio heads, directors, producers, studio executives, agents and writers seems to be a daily occupation in an industry ruled by million-dollar deals. The technological evolution from the big-budget movies in the 1950s to the current business of DVDs, digital piracy, the internet, etc. has drastically changed the economic character of the movie business. Advertising and the income from video/DVD sales has become predominant. It is obvious that the ‘business’ aspect of Hollywood has conquered the ‘entertainment’ aspect.

Julie

(more info at: www.nytimes.com > archive > 'BBC Hollywood'; published June 25, 1991)