RIP Gerrit Graham. One of my very favorite actors since I was a young man wanting to make movies. I loved his all-in, full commitment performances in Hi Mom, Home Movies, Used Cars, of course Phantom of the Paradise, but it was his gentle appearance as Q in Star Trek: Voyager "Death Wish" that stands out for me as his finest and most sensitive work.
When Paramount leaves, all they need is one good quarter, and the floodgates will open. Every studio will leave. Nothing anchors the film industry to CA anymore, and if the bean-counters can make movies cheaper in TN, plus pay no income tax? Game over.
You used to need to be in LA if you wanted to be in the business. All the studios were physically there, and all the celebrities lived there: LA had the status. But now, everyone is leaving. LA isn’t cool anymore. Spielberg doesn’t live there anymore, Mel Gibson’s house burned down, Nic Cage’s driveway collapsed…why stay here and do battle with naked drug zombies and hours of traffic every day?
Studios are pragmatic. They prioritize the bottom line. They relocate to film in Hungary because they can shave a few bucks off their budgets…once Paramount pumps out a few movies that are in the black a month faster because they have less overhead in Tennessee…it’s going to be an instantaneous departure for everyone.
You are watching Bob Bonta slaughter California’s golden goose right before your eyes. Insane to see.
UPDATE TO STREAMING SCHEDULE
09/25 - Starstruck (1982) watch party with @AVARY
One of Roger and Gala's favorite movies, catch this Australian punk musical LIVE on 9/25 at 9AM PT.
Death Collector is Joe Peschi’s first credited feature. As the story goes, Robert De Niro saw the film and then screened it for Scorsese, and on the power of that performance Peschi was subsequently cast as Joey LaMotta in Raging Bull, and the rest is history. https://t.co/MAROxjLach
Don’t miss tomorrow’s LIVE watch party & commentary track recording with director Frédéric Da of his neorealist teen drama, Teenage Emotions. The film stars Laura Dern’s daughter Jaya Harper. A riveting examination of the complexities of modern teen relationships. Friday September 18th at 12pm PT.
https://t.co/2FIRtwD8nd