PERHAPS the Indian movie actors are taking a leaf out of their Hollywood counterparts’ books. From Mary Pickford to Barbara Streisand to Jennifer Anniston and Salma Hayek, successful actress turned producer/director is one of Hollywood’s most enduring traditions.
In fact, the stunning Hayek is a director and a producer. Trade people inform that usually when popular actors/actresses turn into producers for a major studio (such as Time-Warner, Paramount, MGM, etc), they sign what is called a “Housekeeping Deal”. Under the agreement, they are offered a trailer/office at the studio and are hired as producers by them. Usually they are not the brains behind the productions but their popularity attracts investors and audience for their studios.
Though many actors and actresses in Hollywood – who have such a deal – don’t churn out movies as they still get their producers fees even if the film never gets made. The actresses/actors’ “A-List” reputation lures studios to attract not only a target audience, but also in some cases the right investors and distributors.
For example, J-Lo (Jennifer Lopez) has a housekeeping deal with Fox Studios through her independent production company Nuyorican Prods. Under the deal, Fox gets to have a first look at any new production coming out of Lopez’ production company, including series, specials, TV movies, scripted or unscripted, broadcast or cable. This enables the actor to sell her products through a reputed banner while the studio benefits from her celebrity. – Neeta Lal

Edited by Carmeline A.