Bruce Willis, Unions and the Rising Cost of Filmmaking

I was initially impressed by Joel Silver and Bruce Willis’ responses. Valid statements by Willis about the frustrations of filmmaking agreed with my feelings. That is, until he lambasted unions as being the major cause of inflated film budgets.

Unfortunately, Times reporter Nina J. Easton let the statement fall flat by not asking a follow-up question, like, “Why do you think unions cost the producers so much, and can you cite an example?” Too bad, because I would love to have heard Willis equate his multimillion-dollar salary with the below-the-line budget of just the crew’s wages. (I’m a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes, Local 695.)

I don’t care what Willis is paid. It’s called supply and demand. As long as his films turn a profit, it’s justified. But I don’t believe that Willis is aware of why unions need to exist. As long as he sits in an ivory tower, far above the men and women who work for and around him, he never will.

FORREST R. WILLIAMS

Canoga Park