Search
Showing results for “Hollywood”
Jump to a topic
HollywoodHollywood was first registered with Los Angeles County in 1887 but didn't become a part of the city proper until 1910. On the East Coast, Thomas Edison was zealously defending his first motion picture camera patent. Edison's actions led filmmakers to consider California, where the weather was better and the lawsuits would be easier to avoid.
Los Angeles further cemented itself as the center of the film industry with its excellent management of the 1918 flu epidemic, which allowed Hollywood to recover faster than studios in other cities, like New York.
In its golden age, the industry was primarily controlled by vertically integrated studios that oversaw every aspect of film production, distribution, and exhibition, and had specific actors under contract for their projects. The Supreme Court eventually found this model to violate antitrust laws, paving the way for a revolution of independent filmmaking, which led to new storytelling methods that resonate with audiences today. In 2020, that landmark ruling was overturned.Explore Hollywood
What we've found
Six body doubles explain the hidden labor behind Hollywood's seamless performancesWhen actors faces are out of view in a film, it's likely you're seeing a body double. Six such actors describe their experiences: as a curvier set of legs in "Pretty Woman," Michael B. Jordan's double in "Sinners," Hermione when her face is out of view (to abide by child labor laws), pianist hands, and more. A rich behind-the-scenes look. the GuardianA former financial crime investigator says Hollywood has done a pretty good job depicting money launderingA former financial crime investigator says "Narcos" and "Ozark" have pretty realistic scenes, but other well-known financial crime depictions like "The Wolf of Wall Street" are off base. Some of the main inconsistencies include overly dramatic gunfights and unrealistic cash amounts. Business InsiderDolly Parton jumped to Hollywood in the 1980sCostar Jane Fonda said she heard Parton’s song “Two Doors Down” on the radio while the movie was still being developed and knew she’d be a perfect fit for one of the starring roles. The success of that movie kickstarted an acting career, following up with roles in “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” “Steel Magnolias,” and more. Wide Open CountryA visual guide to Hollywood dystopias and their real-world locationsEven the most dire dystopias are grounded in the real world. That's especially true with dystopian movies, which turn real cities into near-future nightmares. This guide from Atlas Obscura takes readers on a tour through some of the most recognizable, from "Blade Runner" (filmed in Los Angeles) to "Total Recall" (Mexico City, Mexico), "The Matrix" (Sydney, Australia), and more. Atlas ObscuraHollywood movies' ratings are controlled by the Motion Picture AssociationThe board, established by a board of parents, has provided ratings (like G, PG, PG-13, R, and NC-17) for Hollywood films since 1968. Although the MPA provides specific criteria for rating films, many of the characteristics (such as "snippets of language that go beyond polite conversation") are subjective. MPA Film RatingsShow business is increasingly leaving HollywoodUsing tax incentives, states like Georgia, New Jersey, and New Mexico are luring studios to produce their films and television shows outside of California. Changing business models after COVID-19 largely influenced this change. Morning BrewBill Nye received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2025The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce awarded its 2,821st star to Nye for his "dedication in making science accessible and entertaining for all ages through his iconic educational show." Former "Almost Live!" colleagues Joel McHale and Ross Shafer spoke in Nye's honor during the ceremony. The Planetary SocietySoaps launched the careers of countless Hollywood A-listersSoap operas may not be considered high culture, but many actors who would go on to win television and film’s highest honors got their start with soaps. That includes Julianne Moore (“As the World Turns”), Morgan Freeman (“Another World”), Leonardo DiCaprio (“Santa Barbara”), and Michael B. Jordan (“All My Children”). IMDBThe Hollywood sign originally said 'Hollywoodland'The original sign, which was only intended to be up for 18 months and erected around 1903, advertised a new housing development in the Hollywood Hills. In 1949, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce shortened it to "Hollywood." BBCHollywood actors make an average of $56K per yearWhile a Hollywood actor’s average salary can vary based their experience and the size of their projects, the average annual salary. in 2024 was $56,903. BackstageHollywood alternative Flying A Studios was housed in Santa Barbara for a decadeFounded in 1910 in Chicago, the American Film Company moved west to Santa Barbara to shoot cowboy westerns. For a decade, the studio was prolific, putting out an average of 242 films a year but collapsed within a decade due to a lack of vision. The Santa Barbara IndependentIn recent years, Hollywood studios have reevaluated their Comic‑Con presenceComic-Con’s impact on the movie industry may be diminishing. In 2025, major studios—including Marvel, DC, Lucasfilm, Sony, Paramount, Legendary, and Lionsgate—scaled back Comic‑Con participation. They cited high costs, timing that didn’t align with release schedules, and limited marketing impact in a crowded promotional landscape. ComicBookMovie.comSome of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters were designed by Drew StruzanThe artist is responsible for iconic posters advertising "Indiana Jones," "Hook," "The Goonies," and more. His distinctive style—sometimes painted by hand, sometimes drawn with an airbrush—defined the era of the family-friendly family blockbuster. Art of the MoviesThe 'Movie Brats’ ushered in a new era of Hollywood"The Movie Brats" is a name used to describe a generation of directors who blended classic cinema with the rebellious, crowd-pleasing spirit of rock ‘n’ roll. The figures most often associated with the tag are Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas, and Brian De Palma. MovieWebHollywood helped fund American military activity by boosting bond salesTo help fund its WWI military activity, the US introduced Liberty Bonds—government-issued debt marketed directly to the public. Starting at $50, the campaign targeted working Americans and offered Thrift Stamps to make bond-buying more accessible. Hollywood led the charge, with stars like Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford boosting bond sales. 1440The economic impact of the Hollywood strikesThe 2023 strikes in Hollywood resulted in significant wins for the WGA, DGA, and SAG-AFTRA unions. Workers were promised to receive bonuses that allowed them to benefit from high-performing streaming shows and films. This article shares how the rewards have been distributed to union members since their implementation. See a breakdown of the bonuses for each union, how the industry has improved, and the challenges some members still face. The Hollywood ReporterMenopause is all the rage in HollywoodMenopause has long been a topic left out of film and tv. But some shows, like “The Change,” and celebrities, like Jennie Garth, are now openly talking about it. This article breaks down how Hollywood is starting to come around to the menopause conversation and how celebrities are talking about their own personal experiences, as well as advocating on Capitol Hill. Read it here. SalonHow much do people make in Hollywood?A huge network of people makes up Hollywood—a place associated with glamour and fortune. Read this article in The Hollywood Reporter to learn more about the actual roles within the industry and what these workers are paid. From studio executives to makeup artists, learn what the different Hollywood salaries are. The Hollywood ReporterHollywood, explainedIt all began in 1887 when Hollywood was registered as a small town before merging with Los Angeles in 1910. Filmmakers moved west to avoid Thomas Edison’s patent lawsuits, and the sunny California climate provided the perfect setting for year-round production. By the 1910s, studios like Paramount and Warner Bros. established themselves, and Hollywood's global dominance was cemented during its golden age from the 1930s to the 1950s. 1440'Special effects' have evolved alongside HollywoodSince the early days of moviemaking, directors have played with perspective to create incredible effects on the screen. From Buster Keaton to contemporary CGI, this 30-minute documentary details the amazing evolution of Hollywood's special effects. BE AMAZEDHollywood’s best scandalsWith all the money, power, and beautiful people in Hollywood, it’s no wonder there’s no shortage of scandals. This list highlights 10 of the most salacious ones, from Marilyn Monroe’s affair with then-president John F. Kennedy, to the mysterious death of starlet Natalie Wood in 1981. HowStuffWorksThe best podcasts about Old HollywoodIf you’re intrigued by the gossip and scandals of Hollywood’s early years, you’ll want to check out this Vanity Fair list of some of the best podcasts on the topic. Some, like Karina Longworth’s "You Must Remember This," cover a different event from Hollywood history with every episode. Others follow a single topic over the course of an entire season, like "No Place Like Home", which explores the 2005 theft of the original "Wizard of Oz" ruby slippers. Variety'The Jazz Singer,' the first film with synchronized sound, changed HollywoodMovies changed forever in 1927, when Warner Bros. released "The Jazz Singer," the first feature film with integrated dialogue. Based on a Broadway musical, the movie starred Al Jolson as the son of a Jewish cantor who wants to be a popular singer. Alt Film GuideHollywood's 'golden age' was controlled by vertically integrated studiosHollywood in the early to mid-20th century was largely controlled by the "Big Five" studios: Paramount, Warner Bros., Fox, MGM, and RKO. The studios were vertically integrated, overseeing every aspect of film production, distribution, and exhibition. During this era, actors like Cary Grant and Judy Garland were under contract with specific studios—typically for seven years. Garland signed with MGM at age 13, which counted on them to draw audiences. TheWrapHollywood's efficient response to the Spanish flu made it a filmmaking destinationIn 1918, the Great Influenza epidemic killed more than 675,000 Americans. Los Angeles was one of the first cities to shut down movie theaters, most of which were independently owned and couldn’t afford the revenue loss. The results were twofold: the quick response meant that Hollywood could bounce back faster than other film hubs, and it also contributed to the rise of vertical integration as studios stepped in to purchase the flailing theaters. Deadline HollywoodThomas Edison inadvertently spurred the film industry's move to HollywoodThe inventor's patent on the motion picture camera included several stipulations that required independent movie studios to work with Edison's Motion Picture Patents Co., making the East Coast undesirable for aspiring filmmakers. The Saturday Evening PostVisualizing Hollywood's flops and winners in 2023Is the movie worth watching? See how this year's cinematic releases compare with one another by revenue and popularity with this simple chart. Hollywood movies can be ranked on two axes: their popular rating and total revenues earned.
In this data... Information is BeautifulThe evidence for declining original content in HollywoodIt seems like in the past few years the only movies Hollywood has churned out are remakes or sequels, but just how accurate is this popular conception that Hollywood movies are getting less creative? This chart depicts the percentage of original and adapted movies over the last two decades, showing the general trend in increased sequels and reboots. DiggThe art of miniature sets in HollywoodMany films utilize meticulously designed miniature sets to produce scenes that would otherwise be too big to film. While artsy filmmaker Wes Anderson is well-known for reviving this technique in an idiosyncratic style, more mainstream films like "Star Wars" and "Inception" rely heavily on small-scale sets filmed in such a way as to make them appear normal-sized. This nine-minute video breaks down how it all works. YouTubeK-pop band BTS released their fifth album, 'Arirang,' after a four-year hiatus The album reflects the identity and roots of one of the world's most popular boy bands. Alongside a new single and free concert, the release kicked off BTS's 82‑date world tour through 2027. The free concert at Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square drew tens of thousands of attendees and was livestreamed on Netflix. The Hollywood Reporter'The Pitt' has found success following an old-school production modelHollywood reporter Matthew Belloni interviews John Wells, executive producer of "The Pitt," an HBO Max drama that's found both critical and commercial success by leaning into the broadcast television model that has largely grown unfashionable in the streaming era. According to Wells, who also worked on "ER" and "The West Wing," modern audiences are eager for broad but well-written "water cooler" weekly shows. The Town with Matthew BelloniThe best Steven Spielberg moviesSpielberg's impact on Hollywood is massive—so is his filmography. This list from the Guardian ranks every one of his film's from the forgettable, like "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" and "Always," to his essential flicks, including the science-fiction classic "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and the first modern blockbuster, "Jaws." the GuardianThe head of MGM Studios created the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to combat unionization effortsThe organization, which votes for the Academy Awards, was founded in 1927 by Louis B. Mayer, head of MGM Studios, to stifle labor disputes and maintain the public image of the film industry. "I found that the best way to handle them was to hang medals all over them,” Mayer said, according to Scott Eyman's biography of the studio head. ABC NewsHow Japanese Anime became a global phenomenonAnime's popularity was once confined to Japan, but the art form has attracted a global audience in the 2020s due in large part to its availability on streaming and increased watch times during the COVID-19 pandemic. This Hollywood Reporter article explains how other factors—including several influential celebrities who consider themselves anime aficionados—have made the genre an international sensation. The Hollywood ReporterThe Madison Avenue Walk of FameIn Hollywood, the most prominent celebrities get “stars” on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Now, industry events producer Advertising Week has created a virtual walk of fame for the biggest stars of the ad world, from the Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Bear to the Energizer Bunny. Advertising WeekClassic movies are prone to decomposition because they're captured on nitrate filmNitrate film was the standard in early Hollywood and is prone to decomposition over time. It's led to an estimated 75% of early American films being lost to history. InsiderThe jump scare, a horror genre trope, was invented to keep costs lowRKO Pictures hired Val Lewton to produce horror films in the Universal model: small budgets, big spectacles. His first movie was 1942's "Cat People" and he used tension and offscreen terror to save money. A perfect example is the movie's jump scare, a misdirection technique that catches viewers off guard. To Old Hollywood and Beyond!'You will never be happier than you expect. To change your happiness, change your expectation.'- Hollywood legend Bette Davis (1908 - 1989) Good ReadsSeven decades of late-night TV's biggest momentsLate-night TV shows have been a staple for seven decades, starting with Steve Allen, the first host of "The Tonight Show." Amid the genre's decline, this list looks back at some of its most controversial moments, from Allen's interviews from inside a teacup to Salvador Dali's appearance with an anteater. The Hollywood ReporterAn original review of the 1987 parody 'Spaceballs'On June 24, 1987, Mel Brooks launched "Spaceballs" in theaters—a comedy starring Bill Pullman, John Candy, and Rick Moranis that spoofed the "Star Wars" trilogy and sci-fi tropes in general. The movie has remained a cult classic ever since. Read the Hollywood Reporter's original review of the film here. The Hollywood ReporterHow Spielberg changed filmBefore "Jaws," summer was Hollywood’s off-season. Steven Spielberg’s 1975 thriller changed all that, launching the era of the summer blockbuster. From "E.T." to "Jurassic Park," Spielberg’s films redefined how stories were told, how audiences reacted, and how studios marketed. 1440Whitman's words have appeared in numerous shows and moviesWhitman's poems have had significant screen time in movies like “Dead Poets Society” and television shows like “Breaking Bad.” FocusPullingThe rise of the malicious use of dronesDrones are legally categorized as aircraft, so when homeowners see a drone hovering over their private property, it is illegal to shoot them down. As drones become more commercially available, their illicit use is also increasing. Celebrities have reported incidents of drone privacy invasions and events planners often deploy anti-drone systems to prevent incursions. The Hollywood Reporter‘Snow White’ was honored by the Oscars two years in a row“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” was not only Hollywood’s first full-length animated film—it was also Disney’s first massive hit and, at the time, was the highest-grossing film of all time. The Academy Awards honored the film in 1937 with a nomination for best music, though the film didn’t win the award. The following year, the Academy explicitly acknowledged the film’s unprecedented success with a one-of-a-kind award, a rarity in the Academy’s storied history. ScreenrantInclusivity at the OscarsThe push for more diversity in the film industry has been decades in the making, but questions are raised about the efficacy of the tactics put in place to bring about those needed changes. The Hollywood Reporter explores the new diversity requirements for Oscars eligibility, speaking to filmmakers and producers about the importance of inclusivity and the complications that such requirements can cause. The Hollywood ReporterThe 1948 Supreme Court ruling was overturned in 2020In 2020, US District Court Judge Analisa Torres overturned the 1948 Supreme Court ruling that broke up the studio system—effectively allowing the film industry to become vertically integrated once again—with companies like Amazon and Disney taking advantage of the relaxed regulations. Columbia Undergraduate Law ReviewA 1948 Supreme Court ruling realigned the film industry1948's landmark United States v. Paramount Pictures found that the "Big Five" studios violated antitrust laws, effectively ending the reign of the vertically integrated system and the golden age of Hollywood. National Constitution CenterThe film industry is responsible for more than 200K jobs in CaliforniaHollywood films generate roughly $49B for the US economy each year. In California, the film industry provides more than 200,000 jobs. Industry employees were paid more than $42B in wages in 2022. Motion Picture AssociationGlobal box office revenues hit $33.5B in 2025The number was a marked improvement from 2024, up 12% from a particularly sluggish year. Disney films—including "Lilo & Stitch" and "Zootopia 2"—were some of the year's biggest earners. DeadlineGLP-1 drugs mimic a natural hormone that triggers appetite-suppressing effectsOzempic, one of the brand names for the drug semaglutide, was originally developed in 2012, to help treat Type 2 diabetes. Among other effects, the drug mimics a naturally produced hormone known as GLP-1, which is released while eating to let our bodies know we are full. Vox
Try another search?