I can only add that, given the shanigans that actors get up to that don’t get a call from God like this one, she’s really pushed the envelope for a producer to go nuclear.
By the way, what’s Tara Reid up to these days?
This didn’t really sound like a wake-up call type of nastygram. It sounded more like an “I’m-fixing-to-fire-your-ass” letter, serving as documentation for the termination and subsequent lawsuit.
A few peopel said this, but that’s not how it sounds to me (as a person who has sent many of those types of letters). The tone you take in such a letter is matter-of-fact, highly professional, and maybe even a little regretful (“Despite our many discussions with you regarding your chronic tardiness, you unfortunately seem unable . . .”). Letters you think are going to be “Exhibit A” in your unemployment hearing/ defense of lawsuit should not sound like you, as the employer, are a jerk who is difficult to work for. The linked letter is the sort of letter you write in complete aggravation; it’s the “first draft” that you write, after which you delete it and write the real thing, using measured and professional language. No employment lawyer would have written this, and no decent lawyer who had a chance to review it first would advise her client to send it. I seriously doubt the letter was vetted by a lawyer before it was sent.
And seeing that Smith is happy to work with someone with as many personal issues as Jason Mewes, that’s saying something.
No, it doesn’t read like something vetted. And I agree its about the most unprofessional letter I’ve seen in business. But its possible that Ms. Lohan has received prior and more professional correspondence on the topic that wasn’t leaked and is now getting the version that is meant to get media play. Cause we all know Hollywood would never play something for publicity.
For an account of what went on at her private birthday party at Disneyland, see this. Not enough rolleyes smileys for this kind of behavior.
I just want to weigh in and disagree with those who say she can’t act. While i realize that there’s a certain amount of subjectivity in who we find convincing on screen, i’ve actually been quite impressed with Lohan’s acting ability.
And this was as much of a surprise to me as to anyone. I was, before seeing her perform, predisposed to dismiss her as another lightweight teen queen who would disappear within a matter of months, and i was sure that her success stemmed only from her looks and her appeal to the vapid and undiscriminating 13-17 demographic.
But she really is pretty good. Meryl Streep was fulsome in her praise for Lohan’s work on Prairie Home Companion. I know that these actors all blow smoke up each other’s asses in promotional interviews, but Streep’s praise seemed to go well beyond the standard boilerplate stuff required on the talk show circuit.
Whoever put that on IMDb is making a joke, I think. Fiorentino wasn’t in J&SBSB.
I’m not sure I agree with you there, counsellor. I too have written my share of these types of letters, and I agree there are many times when you want to seem measured and professional.
On the other hand, however, I sometimes find that it is better to have a letter be direct and passionate, particularly when the letter is coming directly from the client. I like to have a letter be in the client’s voice, as much as possible, and I try whenever possible to have the client take the first draft of the letter (depending on the ability of the client to do so).
I thought the letter was good in that it clearly showed that he was sick of her bullshit and wouldn’t take it any more. I don’t think that a more neutral–more in sorrow than in anger–letter would have had any chance of getting through to her. This one just might (who knows).
I also think that if the matter should come to litigation the direct and vivid letter is quite defensible. The producer would testify that he was rightfully angry when he wrote the letter and why. With a contractor that is costing you thousands of dollars for what appear to be genuinely bogus excuses, there’s little reason not to show a little pissed off, particularly when she’s risking the entire movie.
I thought it was a pretty good letter for its intended audience, and I would not have objected to my client’s sending such a letter in the circumstances.
You folks calling Mr. Robinson a producer as perhaps taking this a bit too lightly: he’s the CEO of Morgan Creek Productions.
I could see folks getting bent out of shape over a letter from director, even a producer, but is is coming from the frickin’ head honcho. I *guarantee you * that there were other communications before the CEO got involved.
Anyone else think that the letter is fairly mild given the brand of nuclear that Hollywood power players are capable of?
Google Scott Rudin, for instance.
Ever since I read this letter, I can’t help but imagine Lindsay Lohan as Hollywood’s equivalent of Beetle Bailey. intentionally avoiding work so she can spend more time partying.
“LOHAN! GET BACK TO WORK!”
“But I’m dehydrated”
“I’ll show you dehydrated!” [beats Lohan up]
The cynical voice in my head is wondering aloud how much insurance the studio took out on this production.
Anybody else reminded of the Bloom County strip where Bill the Cat is being checked into rehab? It went something like this (from memory):
“Is he suffering from exhaustion? That’s the problem for many of our celebrity clients.”
“Booze… pills… a cocaine-blown brain…”
[Nurse writes on clipboard] “Exhaustion.”