NOT BUCKLING UNDER

I was pleased to see the coverage given to Michigan State University’s media study (“Buckle Up--It’s the Law, Except in Hollywood,” by Lauren Viera, Feb. 1).

In the 1980s, the Entertainment Industries Council Inc. (EIC) spearheaded a successful movement to get actors buckled up for driving scenes in movies and TV. When the project began in 1985, very few characters buckled up onscreen. The practice was nearly nonexistent in feature films. By the time our efforts wound down in 1990, belt use on TV seemed universal. Although theatrical belt use was not nearly as high, it was still significant.

Although TV belt use has remained high, the MSU data show that buckling up in feature films has declined. Clearly a new generation of film stars and creative types needs to be indoctrinated as to how easy it is to incorporate belt use in a driving scene.

EIC plans to resume and revitalize its “Buckle Up Hollywood” movement (yes, blame us for putting the world’s largest seat belt around the “Hollywood” sign in 1988 as a national photo op). The time is right for the industry to rally around this issue again.

LARRY DEUTCHMAN

Senior Vice President, EIC

Burbank