Peter Bart: The State Of Dealmaking In Hollywood Is A Whole New Ballgame, Again
deadline.comA brilliant negotiator, Lew Wasserman was the ex-agent who presided over the vast MCA Universal media empire from his black tower.
He favored black suits and austere offices and seemed to convey stress as he strolled about his kingdom. Wasserman seemed always in a state of negotiation: He not only hammered out deals for new projects but also union and guild agreements for the entire industry and antitrust deals governing acquisitions like Decca Records.
He even helped negotiate divorce settlements for the stars he once represented like Clark Gable and Myrna Loy. Wasserman likely would have relished this Hollywood moment, because everything in Hollywood seems to be in a state of negotiation with everyone wanting a bigger piece of the pie.
Writers and directors feel underpaid, their backends reduced, and are ready to strike for more. Actors feel marginalized by revised deal structures of the majors.
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