Hollywood’s Graylist: Writers and Ageism : THE INDUSTRY : Why Age Is Not the Issue

T imes staff writer Nina J. Easton’s article on ageism and writers in film and television (“Hey, Babes! How Old Is Too Old for Hollywood?,” Nov. 17) has produced an usually large response from readers. A sampling of their views appears here and on the facing page: If age is ever an issue in hiring a writer, then the cache of exuberant youth is gamely matched by the cache of veteran experience. Nonetheless, it is most often the case that when hiring a screenwriter, we find age is not an issue at all.

Consequently, we are befuddled by an article so skewed in its intent that it seemingly twists its research to overwhelmingly validate the veracity of its predetermined point.

When a truly great script remains such a rare commodity, the age (sex, race, or any other demographic factor) of the writer is simply not an issue.

While we don’t mean to insult those who have, in fact, been victims of ageism by implying that such practices do not exist (far too many prejudices exist in all industries), we are quite certain that many of our peers are also avidly seeking out great material with such fervent determination as to be unconcerned and unaffected by such an inconsequential and irrelevant matter.

What does matter to us, what speaks loudest to us, is what’s on the page. To paraphrase: “The script’s the thing.”

CATHY RABIN

Vice President, Production

KATHY SOMMER

Senior Vice President

Creative Affairs

Carolco Pictures, Los Angeles