Chapter 616: Establishment of the Actors Guild
"These two girls know each other? I never thought that such a small neighborhood could produce two such beautiful actresses." Sheffield's eyes fell on Lillian Gish and Mary Pickford, and he exclaimed in amazement, "This is so unexpected."
Mary Pickford was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as Gladys Louise Smith. Her father was John Charles Smith and her mother was Charlotte Smith. When Gladys was seriously ill with diphtheria, she was baptized by a Catholic priest and her middle name was changed to "Mary".
John Smith later died of a brain hemorrhage at work. In order to make more money, Charlotte rented a room to the manager of Cummings Stock Company in Toronto, who suggested that Gladys and Lottie perform in a play.
Five years later, the Smiths met stage actors Lillian and Dorothy Gish and their mother, Mary, and the two families shared a room during a summer performance in Manhattan.
Mary Pickford's previous weekly salary was $225. Her salary increased significantly due to her role as the female lead in the Sherlock version of The Birth of a Nation. She is currently negotiating a new contract.
Mary Pickford, who was born in 1892, is actually only 20 years old now, and has a bright future waiting for her. Sheffield and Edith Rockefeller joked, "If little William is looking for a partner, he will be dazzled by the looks of Hollywood."
"Our children are not old enough!" Edith Rockefeller did not refuse directly, but said, "It might be a little strange to find a girl who is a few years older than you."
Are you hinting at something? Sheffield laughed. The age difference between Mary Pickford and her son was not as big as the age difference between herself and Edith Rockefeller.
Avoiding this question can only mean one thing: Edith Rockefeller is having double standards. She could accept this kind of thing if it happened to her, but she would not be happy if it happened to William Rockefeller.
The record-breaking box office celebration party is still in progress. Hollywood's film godfather David Griffith took the stage to give a speech and used almost corny praises to thank the distinguished guests who came today. In fact, they are the real king of Hollywood Sheffield, as well as Edith Rockefeller and Louisa Morgan.
This introduction caused a huge sensation. Many Hollywood stars knew what the Sheffield name meant to the film industry. Although the current Sheffield Film Patents Company had less than ten employees all year round and was a bit shabby compared to the headquarters of more film companies, no one dared to question the company's capacity.
As for Rockefeller and Morgan, their surnames were well-known throughout the United States, and they shocked the Hollywood celebrities so much that they were speechless. They just applauded the three people in unison, and the three people nodded in response.
Examples of overnight success are Lillian Gish and Mary Pickford, who are next to Sheffield. Their weekly salaries are approaching $500 a week, which is rare even among American film actors today.
The best of the black-and-white silent film era, but listening to the two girls talking, Sheffield felt that there was nothing memorable about their voices. He seemed to remember the era of talkies, when many stars of the silent film era had been eliminated.
Compared to the quiet Lillian Gish, Mary Pickford was very cheerful and came over very familiarly, which made Louisa Morgan and Edith Rockefeller frown slightly.
Sheffield looked like a veteran who had seen a lot, and the topic was limited to the development of movies and his views on acting. "Many actors who are used to stage plays are too exaggerated in movies. We need to create the authenticity of the movie world, and the performance should be more natural."
Sheffield actually has a fairly good tolerance for exaggeration, exaggeration in action scenes, and manipulation of anti-earth appeal. Of course, no one is a match for the Indians. As for the expansion of performance, Japanese actors have the biggest problem in this regard.
Lillian Gish nodded at Sheffield's words, but Mary Pickford didn't really listen.
"There will definitely be a second part of The Birth of a Nation. I wonder if David Griffith told you about it?" Sheffield said lazily. "Compared to the nearly 100 million people in the United States, you two are very lucky. I believe David Griffith will continue to use you. Actors should be free and do not necessarily have to sign exclusive contracts with a certain company. I have always been very opposed to the practice of companies hoarding actors. Movie companies cannot control who citizens like to watch. Whoever can get citizens to go to the cinema is the real star."
Sheffield doesn’t really like the hellish training in Korea, mass production of idol stars. The reason he doesn’t like it is that Sheffield doesn’t actually own a film company, he only owns a film patent company and a cinema system.
The huge operating costs of the cinema system naturally hope that there will be as many good movies as possible. Cinemas will not make money if bad movies dominate. Since there are no real film companies, the slave owners hope to implement the survival of the fittest. Of course, they will be very disgusted when some film companies turn good actors into a card collection game.
Historically, Hollywood film companies successfully united to resist Edison's film patent hegemony, but naturally they could not escape the fate of the brave man turning into a dragon. Although this does not happen now, slave owners have always been on guard against this happening to themselves.
The slave owners have always been very wary of the Hollywood film companies, thinking about how to undermine the basis of their rebellion. Today, seeing the many actors appearing in David Griffith's estate, a plan has gradually become clear, which is to support the vested interest groups and start with these film companies.
If a group of actors think that the film company is their biggest enemy, then they will not cause trouble for the slave owners who are in a higher position.
Sheffield didn't say a word until they got in the car and went back to Evelyn Manor. Louisa Morgan couldn't help it and said, "You were seduced by two little girls? They are indeed young and beautiful."
"There are many beautiful women. There are nearly 50 million women in the United States. It's not difficult to find similar women." Sheffield said impatiently, "I'm thinking about how to make my influence last forever in the film industry. In addition to the theater system and the film patent company, I should add something else."
"Not enough, you are too cautious!" Louisa Morgan said with a wry smile, "You have a morbid pursuit of control."
"What else?" Sheffield asked with a smile. Is it like in the movie Rocky, where Sylvester Stallone defeated the Soviet boxing champion, relying entirely on mental strength and memory to fight against the Soviet boxing champion's scientific training? The fact that Rocky in the movie was not beaten into a pulp is considered the realization of the American dream.
"I must take back the control of the actors from the current film companies." Arriving at Evelyn Manor, Sheffield said firmly, "These companies control the actors, which means they have the capital to fight against me. I would rather the actors make countless money than let these film companies think they have a chance to be on an equal footing with me. I don't care about the power of individuals."
It is still 20 years before the emergence of the Screen Actors Guild. The development of Hollywood is like the emergence of other industries. When a new industry first emerges, there are no rules and everyone is absolutely free. When it develops to a certain level, rules and regulations appear.
The Screen Actors Guild was originally established to protest against the unequal contracts set by the big studios for actors. The big Hollywood studios signed actors for many years, and there were no restrictions on the length of work and working hours per day, all decided by the studio. At the same time, the actors could not unilaterally cancel the contract. At that time, signing a contract with a Hollywood studio was equivalent to signing a contract to sell oneself.
Much like Korean idols and Hong Kong drama actors, this sign has already appeared in Hollywood. Slave owners always eliminate threats in the bud.
Compared to the threat of rebellion by these film companies, the threat of setting up a screen actors union is not a threat. The actors at most want some minimum security or something, and these film companies may want Sheffield, the emperor, dead.
Before these film companies take action, Sheffield must first take action to undermine the rebellious foundation of these film companies.
Soon after meeting David Griffith for the second time, Sheffield directly took out a list of guarantees from the Screen Actors Guild.
The union will set minimum income standards for actors; maximum working hours; "overtime pay" for working beyond normal working hours; relatively comfortable working environment, dining environment, and number of meals per day; accommodation, clothing, and private dressing rooms for business trips; special care and related acting courses for special groups; and more importantly, when an actor is dissatisfied or receives abnormal treatment during an audition or production, the union will immediately step in to protect the actor and, if necessary, take legal action.
Even David Griffith was shocked by the slave owner's sudden change of heart. It was impossible for capitalists to take the initiative to establish a union, let alone such a perfect union?
"Boss, I believe this will drive all Hollywood actors crazy." David Griffith exclaimed, "I wonder what the criteria for joining are. Can all Hollywood actors join?"
"No, there's a fee!" Sheffield said with a look of surprise on his face, "Are you asking me to pay for the operation of the union? I can only guarantee to be the honorary president of the Actors Guild."
(End of this chapter)
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