Here was an actual exchange:
US: “The show will generate $250, 000 a week for the local economy, with a weekly budget of the same amount in partnership with Universal..”
IDIOT DEM city administrator: “Well, that’s fine and dandy. But what’s in it for us and our unions. You Hollywood boys should pay us upfront of $1 million.”
A friend of mine in LA said the industry is really hurting. That Craft Services, make-up artists, PAs ... lots of people “below the line” are getting stiffed. But they keep working because they’re afraid they’ll be blacklisted if they complain too much.