Trump’s Return to Power Casts a Chill over Hollywood
Introduction
The return of Donald Trump to the presidency has sparked a shift in the landscape of Hollywood, according to a recent article published in the Los Angeles Times. Samantha Masunaga, a business reporter for the Times, reports on the chilling effect Trump’s presidency is having on the entertainment industry.
Contrasting Fates of Films
Masunaga highlights the contrasting fates of two films as a testament to the changed atmosphere in Hollywood. One film, a documentary about Melania Trump, has secured distribution through Amazon Prime Video, while another film, "The Apprentice," a critical biopic of Trump, has struggled to find a distribution deal.
This disparity, according to Masunaga, reflects the "muted mood" in liberal Hollywood, where industry insiders are expressing unease about the future. They fear the potential impact of Trump’s sweeping executive orders and the support he has garnered from corporate leaders.
Threats and Resistance
One reason for the distribution challenges faced by "The Apprentice" is the threat of a lawsuit from the Trump campaign, which accused the filmmakers of making "blatantly false assertions." This threat has caused potential distributors to become hesitant, according to Amy Baer, one of the film’s producers.
Despite the initial setbacks, "The Apprentice" has eventually found a distributor in Briarcliff Entertainment. However, it has only a few weeks to prepare for its theatrical release and ad campaign before the 2024 election.
Amazon’s Dual Actions
Masunaga also draws attention to the contrasting actions of Amazon, which has reportedly paid $40 million to license the documentary about Melania Trump while CEO Jeff Bezos has refused to endorse a candidate in the 2024 election. Observers see these actions as linked, an attempt by Amazon to curry favor with the Trump administration.
Hollywood’s Struggle to Respond
According to Tom Nunan, co-head of the graduate producers program at UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, Hollywood is still grappling with how to respond to Trump’s return to power.
"People haven’t really figured out what to do yet, how to express themselves or what’s going to be the most effective," Nunan said. "It’s hard to be creative when you’re afraid."
Nunan argues that Trump’s presidency has exacerbated the challenges faced by liberal creatives in Hollywood, who were already struggling with a production slowdown. "A feeling of defeat has pervaded this place," he said.
Compounding Factors
Steve Caplan, principal strategist at Los Angeles-based communications firm Message, points to other factors that have contributed to Hollywood’s current mood, including the recent wildfires in Los Angeles. "There’s a little bit of fatigue and certainly a little bit of shell shock from the speed with which the Trump administration has rolled out some of their proposals," Caplan said.
Challenges for the Entertainment Industry
Caplan emphasizes that the entertainment industry is currently navigating a difficult environment. "If you look at the direction things are going, and the strategic decisions that are being made by brands of all kinds, companies of all types, it would indicate it’s a very difficult environment to get these things done," he said.
It remains to be seen whether this environment will affect creative and content production, but early indications point to challenges ahead.
Conclusion
The return of Donald Trump to the presidency has cast a shadow over Hollywood, creating a climate of uncertainty and unease. The entertainment industry is grappling with how to respond to Trump’s policies and the changing political landscape. While some films, like the documentary about Melania Trump, have secured distribution, others, like "The Apprentice," have faced resistance. The industry now faces a difficult environment as it navigates the challenges ahead.
