Support for Polanski Explained: The ‘Cinematic Immunity’ Clause
by Ernie MannixSECTION 23. PART A:
THE CINEMATIC IMMUNITY CLAUSE
This contract’s previously mentioned HOLLYWOOD STAR, having surpassed all normal standards of importance, (and now seeking revenge for being a high school nerd); shall not be held responsible for any and all of the following crimes, misdemeanors, torts, or traffic infractions:
- Throwing chairs and injuring assistants or standers by.
- Tantrums of any variety, in addition to chair or other furniture throwing.
- Double-dipping in the Craft Service table Salsa bowls.
- Driving around the cars of the ‘little people’ lined up at the security gate with your middle finger out.
- Carbon foot-printing like a freakin’ Sasquatch Beeeotch.
- Scratching your ass inside your pants then grabbing a handful of M&M’s from the bowl at the snack table.
- Telling your P.A. “You f—ing piece of sh-t, I told you I wanted to order lunch at 12:25 EVERY DAY! Not even a minute f—ing later or earlier you f—ing piece of sh-t.”
- Not showing up at the Cast & Crew Screening.
- Not showing up for your private screening.
- Refusing to start the private screening until someone ‘gets their head out of their ass and gets some friggin’decent popcorn!‘.
- Having the flunky at the office fire someone in the afternoon that you told was doing an ‘aweome job mate!’ in the morning.
- Stealing good story ideas and taking credit for them.
- Stealing bad story ideas then blaming them on someone else.
- Any other form of lying.
- Never signaling while driving (drunk or otherwise.)
- Complete phoniness, arrogance, and viciousness.
- Utter contempt for all the people you clawed at and climbed over to get to the immune state.
- Bad tipping.
- No tipping.
- Not caring if someone is sick, or even dying and then demanding to know why they are late.
- Bringing your dog to the sound stage and demanding he/she have spring water and non cruelty organic fresh food.
- Having the P.A. clean up the dog poop.
- Never paying your fair share for the Starbucks run.
- Leaving before the check comes to go somewhere ‘important’.
- Punching your assistant for getting you a Business class seat.
- Punching your assistant for anything else.
- Insulting the lunch lady at the commissary for serving non ‘whole’ wheat bread, especially if she’s ugly.
- Drugs.
- Demanding everyone align their political thinking with yours; or else.
- Smashing someones car with a 9 iron.
- Smashing the craft service table with a putter.
- 9 Ironing Chicken Tamales into the feet of your assistant whilst yelling “PICK IT UP! PICK IT F—ING UP!’
- Any other use of sporting equipment to destroy or abuse.
- Screaming “DO YOU FREAKING KNOW WHO I AM?!”
- Making everyone wait – constantly.
- Flipping over the craft service table because there aren’t any Biscotti.
- Demanding your Green Tea be from Sri Lanka.
- Demanding all spellings be of the British variety – such as; Colour, Favour, Cheque etc.
- Demanding your luxury trailer and adjoining large sand coloured tent are a perfect 69 degrees, at 43% humidity, then demanding the A.D. get another Semi loaded with generators to make it just so.
- Demanding everyone on the set conserve energy.
- Demanding your office be painted with non-odorous natural dye paint. Colour: Sand.
- Screaming “IT’S MY F—ING MOVIE YOU NOBODY!” at 1 am in a hotel room hallway.
- Kicking the maid in the hind quarters for not giving you higher thread-count sheets.
- Throwing a telephone at the Bell Boy’s hind quarters for not finding you Blueberry juice at 4 am.
- Drunk driving, having an accident, leaving the scene, scoffing at the injured.
- Rape of a 13 Year old girl or boy.






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95 Comments
But they're all such speh-shul people! Rules of civility don't apply to them!
"It's just been revoked! " -Roger Murtaugh, Lethal Weapon II
P.S. Feel free to add your own.
At what point in my career can I demand this clause in all my contracts?
I'd hate to do it too early, I might seem self absorbed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ9Te1XP8RM
PSA-LISTEN TO OVERPAID CELEBRITIES
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Ernie Mannix and Ernie Mannix. Ernie Mannix said: Support for Polanski Explained: The ‘Cinematic Immunity’ Clause http://is.gd/3QONt [...]
I wonder why unexplained deaths aren't more prevalent in that city?
I wonder why unexplained deaths aren't more prevalent in that city?
Or at least missing or broken limbs.
Flying their private jet to a global warming event.
Getting rich making shoot-em-up movies, then supporting gun control.
Thinking that winning a gold statue for being good at fantasy automatically makes one an expert at reality.
The first 45 are a hoot! Sounds like you some serious hands on experience with these people. Then #46 depressed me again.
#47 Preaching to reporters on the benefits of sustainable life styles from a 80 room, 1.2 million square feet, air conditioned mansion, with private golf course and Olympic size heated pool.
Excellent, especially the last one.
I've tried to explain to people what it is like to be trapped with a clinical narcissist and I think this list does it perfectly.
Ernie – hillarious, a fun post. When I think about it, the one that really gets to me is the notion of the P.A. What hubris! Oh yeah, and the ass scratching m&M bowl scooping was pretty funny too.
[...] Continued here: Support for Polanski Explained: The ‘Cinematic Immunity’ Clause [...]
Asking "Do I need to know you?" while the Music Editor (I'm) running pre-record, dialogue and picture playback while simultaneously recording a 80 piece orchestra onto 60 tracks of protools and getting insulted because they (I) don't respond right away.
[...] See more here: Support for Polanski Explained: The ‘Cinematic Immunity’ Clause [...]
Jed, I wish I could say that I didn't experience or witness most of this.
I think you were there Ernie.
Dance remix of the infamous Christian Bale Terminator set meltdown:
NSFW!
With a special guest appearance by Barbara Streisand!
The real funny thing is that it's not at all unlikely as a contemporary piece of music.
ROFLAMO. Mike above is responsible for the term "Cinematic Immunity" and is/was one of the nicest people in Hollywood. We would suffer the ridicuolous mind altering experiences connected with 'the biz' together and laugh to keep our sanity. I was there for his above anecdote.
Mike above was responsible for the term: CINEMATIC IMMUNITY. We together in 'the biz' suffered many trial and tribulations together. One of the nicest people in Hollywood or anywhere else.
Why is it we support these morons again?
You missed a whole lot, since a vast majority of Polanski supporters are snooty foreigners you should have added escargot-throwing tantrums, why 'America deserved 9/11 attacks' rants and 'why Europe is better' spiels at film festival reward ceremonies. Seriously, those rants have actually taken place if you could believe that.
yeah that DJ is pretty good.
It does get opressive after a few minutes, but it is a staple for me to listen to after certain work related meetings.
Demanding separate trailers for all your hot model/baby mamas, all exactly the same size, with sand coloured interiors, and hot model stuff in them.
Expressing love for freedom of expression, well, except for protesters of the present administration and congress, those guys are just racists……/////
Rape of a 13 Year old girl or boy.
But according to Woopie, this was not "Rape,Rape".
I want to know WTF was it if it was not Rape.
Demanding the costumer provide a completely new wardrobe at 6pm for a 8 am shoot the next day.
How about jumping up and down on Oprah's couch like a ego-maniacal lunatic?
"Getting rich making shoot-em-up movies, then supporting gun control." LOL!!!
Or making a druggie movie, then claims that it is meant to warn others of the downside of it, "wink wink" as opposed to glorifying it.
To be fair, I worked on an indie film with an actress (you'd recognize the name though she's not exactly A-list) and she treated EVERYONE on the crew to Starbucks, including me, the little PA. She gave me her debit card and PIN to pay for it! (I guess I have a face that says, "Trust me.")
[...] [...]
a relative had equally nice things to say about the late Marlon Brando as well. A devout liberal, he walked the walk, as they say. It was the film 'Don Juan DeMarco' and while Depp was a jerk (no surprise) Brando was kind, and solicitous, to a fault. Made sure he talked to the lowliest grip.
Strange bird- yes. But inside a nice (if deeply flawed) man…
#47 Campaigning for– and electing– a president even more narcissistic than yourself. The ultimate Hollywood celebrity dream.
Telling commuters to shut up while your limousine is standing in the middle of the street.
I'm a bit confused over "walked the walk", since liberalism– by definition– means being kind and generous with other people's money…. I'm glad to know he was kind and solictious, but that sounds more like most conservatives I know, not angry liberals.
So what else did you buy with her debit card?
It's getting harder. But on the bright side, I'm getting much more selective in picking out movies at Blockbuster. But on the downside to that, I'm in Blockbuster for an hour to get a couple of movies.
everyone else acts "stupidly" , they just need a beer summit to smooth it over.
thunk –
Ha!! I didn't do anything – just bought Starbucks for the crew and a soda for myself since I don't drink coffee or any coffee-related beverages. In short I had to…
-a.) go around and write down orders for four dozen people (whose names I didn't always know)
-b.) find out where Starbucks was
-c.) use the actress' debit card to get money from an ATM
-d.) place an order for four dozen beverages
-e.) manage to get it all in my car without spilling anything
-f.) do it all ASAP!
thunk –
Ha!! I didn't do anything – just bought Starbucks for the crew and a soda for myself since I don't drink coffee or any coffee-related beverages. In short, I had to…
-a.) go around and write down orders for four dozen people (whose names I didn't always know)
-b.) find out where Starbucks was
-c.) use the actress' debit card to get money from an ATM
-d.) place an order for four dozen beverages
-e.) manage to get it all in my car without spilling anything
-f.) do it all ASAP!
Hey Scott-
At the risk of damaging her image in the eyes of a bunch of a$$holes, why don't you name her and let the rest of know she's a decent human being, regardless of her politics one way or another? Maybe some of us will choose to see one of her movies as a result. Unless she's also extremely modest, I'd think she would appreciate the compliment- or at least appreciate that her gesture was appreciated.
Ah, come on, I love that scene!
I gave you thumbs ups on your posts when you first started posting here to help you dig out of the negative hole you were sinking in. Where is the love!!!
what we meant is that he was gracious to those who were less fortunate. That's the traditional (if flawed) perspective of liberalism. Most of this bunch are snotty, arrogant selfish dweebs. He was old school- he remembered his gitty roots, and conducted himself accordingly. He wasn't a particularly 'angry' man at that point
of his life…
make sense?
Agreed, those are the exact words that point should be made with every time from now on.
Totally been there too. You're headed down the aisle "Hes a douche, im not getting that movie… ditto, ditto, ditto… God this sucks, Im just gonna rent a game.
Or its the "9/11 was an inside job concocted by the Jews and Presbyterians" or some such crap.
I also love the "He was young back then and learned his lesson". The man was 40 freaking years old.
"What do you mean, it stinks? Everyone on this set has wiped my ass at least once"!
I wish it wasn't like that, but instead of a bubble-headed celebrity just saying something like "I don't like George Bush" or "I don't agree with George Bush", they intentionally fly off the handle like they're trying to piss people off. What they don't evidently know is that about half of those people they piss off are the ones that buy their stuff to allow them to live in their multi-million dollar mansions. So maybe it's time for a Hollywood enima?
Ah – she's as sweet as she looks! Really a nice story.
For some reason I think they were actual events. Hopefull not from the same guy.
A Hollywood enima to go with the Congressional enima… made out of Corn Flakes…
Rounds for everyone! I'm buying!
MR. MANNIX,
WELL WRITTEN, WELL DELIVERED….. I CAN ONLY HOPE YOU DID NOT PERSONALLY LIVE THROUGH THE FIRST 45, OR THE 46TH EITHER! ME THINKS, HOWEVER, YOU HAVE FIRST HAND KNOWLEDGE OF THESE SINS, ER CRIMES, ER LAPSES IN JUDGEMENT / PROFESSIONALISM / TEAMWORK / COURTESY / RESPECT / COMMON SENSE… I HAD JOB OF A SIMILAR NATURE A FEW YEARS BACK, AS A GRADUATE ASST. COACH IN DIV. I COLLEGE FOOTBALL, BUT NOTHING LIKE WHAT YOU DESCRIBED!!! I WOULD HAVE WRAPPED ONE OF THOSE GOLF CLUBS YOU DESCRIBED AROUND SOMEONE'S HEAD AND NOT THOUGHT TWICE ABOUT IT!!! GOD BLESS THE NORMAL UNDERLINGS IN LA-LA LAND! AND BY THEWAY THROW THE BOOK AT POLSHANSKI THE RAPIST…
Thanks for letting us know who the nice ones are. I've met a few celebs who were really nice. Damon Wayons was super gracious when some co-workers and I cornered him at the studio lot that I worked at –once upon a time. Most celebs didn't talk to the peons, but he was great. And I love Bryan Cranston!
SQT –
Thanks but I really don't want to make a big deal out of this. There are plenty of good people in front of and behind the camera and plenty of bad people as well. (I worked as a local PA on an episode of The Simple Life – I didn't meet Paris Hilton but everyone on the crew was a joy to work with, except for one woman who made things miserable for all involved.)
Some actors have bad days, some have bad tempers, others are just schmucks!
The only reason we even know about them is because they're famous. For all I know, the technician who designed the Mac keyboard I'm typing on is a Holocaust denier! (I'm being facetious, of course.)
I understand what you're saying, but we usually only hear about the bad behavior and seldom hear about their good days. Seems we should mention when they're nice too– helps to balance the scales.
I'll drink to that! (I really wish this site would talk about the good ones more often.)
We've been talking a lot lately about what is and is not art here, and I must admit, I think RevoLucian created a work of art with that Bale rant there. LOL!
The old Hollywood Joke:
There this older guy Bob who's job it is to clean out the toilets on all the trailers and empty the ceptic tanks on them day in and day out. His friend comes with him to work one day and after seeing the horrible things he is doing, the smell and the ugliness of the tough job, asks: Bob, why don't you quit and find another job!?
And of course Bob says:
What? And give up Show Business?
I wonder about that ass scratching one myself, Tennessee. Somehow I can see that happening, eech.
The pervert raped a girl. He should be held responsible.
Scott, did Bryan Cranston play the dentist, who carried Penthouse magazine in his waiting room and converted to Judaism, on "Seinfeld.?"
ROTFLAMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!! Good joke Ernie never heard it before. I'll have to remember it and retell it, although I'm a terrible joke teller.
[...] [...]
What about having sympathy for, or actually being, a commie bastard?
#46 would have covered it all.
Yep!
"Nurse, give me a schtikel of fluoride."
[...] For “misunderstood” Hollyweirdos like Roman Polanski. In: Hollywood Left, That's Entertainment | Email This Post | Print This [...]
Ah… the virgin connie swail!
Flying to eco events in separate private jets and preaching to us about being green.
I long for the good old days of Hollywood when actors were essentially indentured servants to the studios, had all their public appearances planned and orchestrated to the smallest detail, couldn't even take a leak without first asking permission from their agent, and had to sign contracts that included "moral clauses".
The putrid stench passed off as "Law Enforcement" enables this swill.
As an outsider, a curious fellow and a bit naive.
may I ask a question, without naming names of course?
I look at the hilarious list of Mr Mannix's shall we say, actor/director idiosyncrasies,
and assume they are typical liberal affectations. I wonder if conservatives,
the're are some left in the business right, behave as badly as any liberal
during the film process?
I'm boycotting your post since the line came from our favorite commie loving commie, Danny Glover!
Okay… it was Alexandra Paul, formerly of Baywatch (and the Dan Aykroyd Dragnet movie which is one of my guilty pleasures) but I have no idea what she's up to today. I found her to be quite pleasant.
I worked as a PA and as an extra for a couple months in LA. Most of the actors were just fine – as with many things, it's a case of the loudmouths ruining it for the rest of the bunch.
I worked as an extra on a few episodes of How I Met Your Mother and one of them guest starred Bryan Cranston, currently on AMC's Breaking Bad. Now he was a nice guy!
I still gave you a thumbs up, but Danny Glover is one person I cannot stand. If there's a punk list, he's on it. Thank you for helping me dig out of the hole my trip to a liberal site must have put me in. Those libs don't like it when you bring up documentable facts.
I was also wondering how many of those things actually happened (especially #32). BTW, I would do the chicken tamale thing to a buddy because it is funny in the proper context, but not if done to an employee with malice.
Bravo, Ernie – you knocked it outta the park with this one. Though, I must agree with some of the other comments: horrifying as it may be, this is just scratching the surface!
I don't drink (family history) – I'll take a diet Pepsi.
I met John Ritter at Disneyland once. He was standing outside one of the bathrooms wearin a basebal cap and shades. I walked right past him before I recognized him. We had the following conversation:
"John Ritter?"
"Yes?"
"I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed Hooperman."
"Oh – YOU'RE the one who watched it!
I laughed, we shook hands, and I walked away. I figured he was with his family (maybe they were in the restroom) and just let him alone.
Does anyone take these self-serving hypocrites seriously? While making millions for doing very little, they stand on their soapboxes wagging their fingers and talking down to the rest of us. It is sickening to realize just who supports the rape of a 13-year old girl by a 44-year old man. I'm sure most of them have or had 13-year old daughters. They have no moral compass and it's scary they are given so much influence through the media. Then Han Solo and Michael Moore publicly beg Obama for a single-payer system like Medicare and the V.A.
Well played my friend. Well played.
#47. Thinking they have a right to tell the rest of us how much or what type of toilet paper to use.
Adam Sandler on a location shoot near my business – comes to door of store asks permission for he and director to enter. Spends 100. plus on merchandise, asks if it is OK for them to hang out a bit off the street.. Gets recognized 5 minutes later by a few fans including teenage girl who is babbling in her excitement. Willing poses for photos with several people while conversing with them. Poses for more photos, looks over to me and smiles a 'This is what I do' smile.
Props to A.S.
All my interactions with celebs have been good….except for the horrific Jane Sarkin of Vanity Fair…if you can even call her a celeb. Any bad news of her will be welcome.
Adam Sandler on a location shoot near my business – comes to door of store asks permission for he and director to enter. Spends 100. plus on merchandise, asks if it is OK for them to hang out a bit off the street.. Gets recognized 5 minutes later by a few fans including teenage girl who is babbling in her excitement. Willing poses for photos with several people while conversing with them. Poses for more photos, looks over to me and smiles a 'This is what I do' smile.
Props to A.S.
All my interactions with celebs have been good….except for the horrific Jane Sarkin of Vanity Fair…if you can even call her a celeb. Any bad news of her will be welcome.
How about demanding approval of every stage of the production process and then not being there to approve anything, causing massive delays in every aspect of a project?
That definately applies to Danny Glover and the other anti gun nuts who use guns in their movies the way no one in real life would without shooting themselves.
Great post but I don't have an issue with rule 38 – Demanding all spellings be of the British variety – such as; Colour, Favour, Cheque etc.
As an Australian I was taught to spell with a U….
/SARC.
It's sad that far too many Americans– Brando being one of them according to your account– lead conservative lives but have a complete disconnect when it comes to politics; cognitive dissonance, if you will.
Apart from #46 (I hope!) this is just one big Russell Crowe blind item isn't it?
Oh, and Polanski's crime was horrifying and I am deeply disappointed to hear of some of the folks who are supporting him now.
Brando was, from what we gatehered, an old school liberal- bleeding heart and all- who actually believed it. Unlike the limousine liberals we now hve; he felt a compulsion to share his own wealth and good will. Not a saint- he was a boor in many other respects- he just tried to maintain an 'everyman' image as opposed to the pampered poodle of the current ilk.
You are correct that this is standard behaviour for most conservatives…
I would add bothering a producer with your script while he is seated at his table in a restaurant.
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