Sponsor (Jan-Apr 1958)

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With the West Coast trek, SPONSOR ASKS: Is New York's tv talent pc This week SPONSOR asked three New York users of tv talent for their answers. Here are their sometimes conflicting viewpoints. Roger Pryor, vice president. Foote, Cone & Belding, Veto York The exodus of live television to the \\ est Coast has of course drastically reduced the talent pool in the East but I. for one. see no reason to be unduly concerned. If practically all of live television is to originate on the Coast, doesn't it logically follow that our Eastern talent needs will he somewhat lessened ? Nor do I feel we should be at all surprised. Either by the production move, or bj the inevitable "Horace Greeley" on the part of the talent. In the first instance, overlooking the ol>\iuu> fad that a square foot of San Fernando \ 'alley is considerably cheaper than a square foot of Rockefeller Center, production of anything resembling motion pictures is a "way of life" in Holly wood. Theirs is not a "sometime" activitj in production — the) re a dedicated group, and the lowest man on the technical totem pole evidences a pride in his work rarely encountered in the East. \ Eoi the talent, "I < ourse thej 're following production on its \\ estward trek. \\ hen one has something to sell. one lake it to the mosl active market place. But. win the alarm'.' There was an enormous to-do when Pathe. Essana\. Fox and other pioneer film producers abandoned the Fast for the West shortIs alter the turn of the century, taking practically all of the talent with them, hut somehow the theatre continued to function. 'I hen again, in the late Twenties and early Thirties, when sound came to films, there was a great demand for "talking"' actors, and, again, a broad "folding of tents'' was experienced. But the theatre, and the then infant, radio, somehow survived. So, it's happened again? So, let us be calm. Let's not worry too much about a loss of supply when we know that the loss of demand has automatically lessened proportionately. For such talent as we will need in the East, we'll have to dig a little deeper, to be sure. But new faces and personalities will emerge to take their places beside those who remain. They always have. Walter Lowendahl, president. Transfilm, Inc., New York \'\ hat may appear to be a mass exodus of talent from New York, is in reality the exodus of some shows seeking to holster ratings with the hypo of the big name Hollywood personality. \c lually the real talent will always be here in New York. Phis is a sophisticated town with a penchant for the off-beat, untried commodity. Broadwax and off-Broadway, continue to de light our senses with new talent, experimental plays and the unusual director; documentary and art films are growing in demand and playing to capacity houses: and live television spectaculars of any distinction, invariably are produced from New York. It is true, however, that much of live television has moved westwaija But we have another phenomenon — the "Eastern" — to take its place. These particular films have been notable for their excellence and their unusual character. "On the Waterfront," "Face in the Crowd." "Twelve Vngrj Men" and many others are adding to [ New York's stature as a new film , capital. Statistically, the production picture is stable. Local theatrical unions are f in full employment and the talent pool J has not diminished one iota. The threat that 90r 4 of television commercial production would emanate from | Hollywood has not materialized. New York is producing at least 70' \ of the total film commercial output, with Chi I cago and other centers cutting into the i remaining 30' i . Optimism is clearly evident in New ^ ork as a production center. Feature, television and industrial producers are refurbishing the old "flicker" studios >ii building their own. What New York has is definable and basic: quality . The "Star-System," with all its disadvantages, is not a [ prime factor here. The directors and |j writers are the arbiters of performing talent. More fresh, new talent, consequently, find themselves before the i footlights and Klieg lights. Here, theactor is not considered a "piece of tal I ent," but an intelligent, dedicated professional. Another ingredient New York possesses is not quite so definable: vital1 itv. This vitalitv mav he that magic 2.1 JANUARY 1958