For tax reasons that I don’t really understand, studios generally create limited liability corporations for each individual film and TV show they make.
Often, these LLCs are just “Stupid Michael Bay Movie, Inc.” or “Yet Another CBS Procedural, LLC.” Sometimes they’re jokey; I believe Starship Troopers was “Big Bug Productions.”
Sometimes, if it’s a really big movie with major stars, they want to hide from the public. The Da Vinci Code was “Rose Line Productions.” I called them up, and the PA on the end answered, “Rose Line Productions.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” I responded. “Wrong number.” I hung up before I remembered that the Rose Line was a major plot point in the book.
Productions will also put these obfuscating names on the ubiquitous yellow location signs you see everywhere.
On top of all that, I just learned that there’s a third reason for these nom de productions. If you call, say, a caterer, and tell them you’re with 24, big dollar signs will pop up in the eyes like a cartoon character.
If you say you’re with Real Time Productions, they might not know who you are.
On the other hand, they might not care. But, this is Hollywood, so we’d never consider that possibility.
– – –
Post Script: I’m wearing my “I Voted!” sticker as I write this. It gives me the same sense of moral superiority that the “I Donated Blood!” sticker has, but with fewer vampiric implications.
I also wore my “I Believe in Harvey Dent” T-shirt to the polls, but, alas, no one accused me of electioneering for a fictional character.
One Response