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Is high finance killing Hollywood?
Apr 19, 2024
Historian and writer Daniel Bessner discusses Hollywood's shift towards prioritizing profits over quality entertainment. They delve into the impact of financial firms like BlackRock, Disney's acquisitions, and the influence of economic downturns on creativity. The discussion also explores the financial risks faced by creators, class divisions in the industry, and the effects of financialization on content quality in the entertainment sector.
22:50
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Quick takeaways
- Financialization of Hollywood led to cost-cutting measures and corporate takeovers, impacting writing opportunities.
- Class stratification increased in Hollywood due to shift towards franchise-dominated films, affecting diversity and sustainability of writing careers.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Hollywood Writing
During the 90s and early 2000s, Hollywood offered a financially rewarding and creatively fertile period for TV writers, with iconic shows like Sex in the City and The Sopranos setting the stage. Writers could make a comfortable living and produce innovative content. However, the industry began facing glimmers of change as regulations shifted in the 1980s with the rise of conglomerates, leading to freelance work and a gradual decline in stable writing careers.
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