Will Los Angeles ever shed its Hollywood image?

Westsidelife · January 17th, 2009, 06:15 AM

Everyone knows Los Angeles as being the hub of the global entertainment industry (and the image associated with it). Hollywood is the city's claim to fame and a major reason why LA is where it is today. When visiting LA, it is customary for the average tourist to visit Hollywood Blvd., stroll down Rodeo Drive, tour the stars' homes, and eat at Third St. Promenade after a day at SMB. Whenever the significance of LA is discussed, Hollywood is the first thing to be mentioned. Hollywood, palm trees, sunshine, beaches, and blondes -- that is what LA is to many people.

But over the past decade or so, LA's more cosmopolitan aspects have been recognized in the media locally, nationally, and internationally. Such things include LA's expanding role in art and design, performing arts, architecture, gastronomy, and fashion. LA is no longer Hollywood, but LA -- if that makes any sense.

Are we witnessing the birth of the next Los Angeles? Do you think LA will be less shallow and glossed up and more wholesome and worldly once we develop our rail system and create a true sense of place? Will LA be looked upon and appreciated in the same light as NYC and London (which are IMO the benchmark cities for cosmopolitanism)?

milquetoast · January 17th, 2009, 08:01 AM

Let us hope not!
I'm not there within the fishbowl so I can tell you the impressions left by Los Angeles, or New York or London for that matter. The world does get smaller by the day.

I'll give you an example and it is by film, not Hollywood- more Bollywood than anything else, and it is "Slumdog Millionaire."

Haven't seen the picture, but I was surprised as hell to see it had something to do with a contestant phoning a friend on the Indian version of 'Millionaire', the gameshow, and not something more exotic. (Then again, I often talk to someone in Mumbai whenever I have something going on with the laptop.) Then I realized that gameshow has many versions around the world.

I'll read a blog from someone in Delft (Netherlands) who posts that she and her boyfriend went to a killer Mexican restaurant there! Everyone is getting more cosmopolitan than they realize.

In order to be more cosmo, one has to have an interest in other nations, peoples, cultures. A city has to have a diverse people who are either from someplace else or who, in great numbers, study or practise the cultures and mores of other cities, nations and locations.

Los Angeles is different.

We are perfectly situated between cultures. The cultures of the East coast and the South, Midwest, Northwest..... evenly placed between the old world of Europe and the western Pacific rim of Asia.

We're young enough to be influenced by these cultures and yet there is one thing we have the others don't. It is a very powerful influential aspect of our own society, internationally speaking. It draws from the past and improves upon it constantly. It is the most influentially, diversified, collaborative art form known today, the most omnipotent export any nation ever had and, because of that, and because of its place in our city, I think that keeps us from being as interested in other cultures as much as other cities.

Keeps us from being as 'cosmopolitan'.

Doesn't have to be that way as Hollywood is the instant invitation that enters us into the world party, the way high finance lets London and New York in.

But we crap on it and I've heard that other cities would cultivate it as if it were a garden.... if they had it!

If it were as indigenous to their location as it is to ours.

They're trying to get as much of it as they can.

See any monetary incentives being given in California to retain this industry? We may have to create another face for Los Angeles yet!
I'd just assume we keep the identity we have. I'm proud of it, myself

VZN · January 17th, 2009, 11:59 AM

I've always said that Hollywood was just one of the many cogs that run the machine known as L.A... as time passes, as we continue to revitalize our downtown, improve our transit and diversify our economy people abroad will begin to look at the bigger picture and see that there's more to L.A. than just Hollywood.

Also, California right now is experiencing something similar to what happened in Greece during the Hellenistic era, where Greek culture more or less was amalgamated with Middle Eastern and Egyptian culture. Well, in California every nation across the Pacific and in Latin America along with the obviously evident American culture is creating something that is unlike anything we've ever seen in the history of this country. Every metro within this state is going to go through a metamorphosis because of this, and L.A. certainly isn't an exception. Arguably, it's the epicenter and these events will also mold the face of the city.

Right now, we are indeed looking at the birth of a new Los Angeles and I'm excited to be a part of it.

I-97!! · January 17th, 2009, 08:22 PM

L.A. is becoming more renowned in our own country which is a positive thing but around the world, Los Angeles is highly recognized amongst the global cities. Hollywood is becoming cooler and cooler every year and more urban too. Hollywood is going to be/feel like the soul of L.A. so I think it will never shed and thats a good thing.

"Hollywood is a crazy place"

Imperfect Ending · January 17th, 2009, 11:58 PM

I love people thinking of LA as being shallow and fake. Makes me feel beautiful

klamedia · January 18th, 2009, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westsidelife

Are we witnessing the birth of the next Los Angeles? Do you think LA will be less shallow and glossed up and more wholesome and worldly once we develop our rail system and create a true sense of place? Will LA be looked upon and appreciated in the same light as NYC and London (which are IMO the benchmark cities for cosmopolitanism)?

Are you shallow? Are you glossed up? When LA had the largest interurban trolley system in the world was it considered on the level of a London or NY? And really who the fuck cares. Even if it's not considered by you or some other insignificant person as being on the level of a London or NYC that doesn't mean that it's not. Will NYC ever be considered as beautiful and charming as Paris? Probably not. But does that mean that NYC is ugly? NYC can't hold a candle to the influence that London has had on the world stage over the past 500 years. Does that make NYC insignificant?

Moderator please delete this thread. This is looking bad from all sides. And why would LA ever want to shed the creative epicenter of the world that is Hollywood? I hope that LA rides that pony til it's broke!
Moderator please lock this shit up as fast as you can. This is pathetic!

***LosAngelesSportsFan*** · January 18th, 2009, 06:16 AM

Klam, i agree. this is gonna lead no where fast.

January 17th, 2009, 06:15 AM	#1
Westsidelife LAL / LAK / LAD Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,787 Likes (Received): 7	Will Los Angeles ever shed its Hollywood image? Everyone knows Los Angeles as being the hub of the global entertainment industry (and the image associated with it). Hollywood is the city's claim to fame and a major reason why LA is where it is today. When visiting LA, it is customary for the average tourist to visit Hollywood Blvd., stroll down Rodeo Drive, tour the stars' homes, and eat at Third St. Promenade after a day at SMB. Whenever the significance of LA is discussed, Hollywood is the first thing to be mentioned. Hollywood, palm trees, sunshine, beaches, and blondes -- that is what LA is to many people. But over the past decade or so, LA's more cosmopolitan aspects have been recognized in the media locally, nationally, and internationally. Such things include LA's expanding role in art and design, performing arts, architecture, gastronomy, and fashion. LA is no longer Hollywood, but LA -- if that makes any sense. Are we witnessing the birth of the next Los Angeles? Do you think LA will be less shallow and glossed up and more wholesome and worldly once we develop our rail system and create a true sense of place? Will LA be looked upon and appreciated in the same light as NYC and London (which are IMO the benchmark cities for cosmopolitanism)? __________________ "I'm an LA guy, can't help it." -- Tiger Woods

January 17th, 2009, 11:58 PM	#5
Imperfect Ending Or is it? Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: In Portland, Oregon with Leo Posts: 10,444 Likes (Received): 24	I love people thinking of LA as being shallow and fake. Makes me feel beautiful __________________ Las Vegas \| Los Angeles \| San Diego \| San Francisco West Coast Road Trip \| Road Trip Part 2 ︷︸︸︷︸︷︷︸︷︸

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January 17th, 2009, 08:01 AM	#2
milquetoast L O S A N G E L E S Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Henderson NV Posts: 5,299 Likes (Received): 24	Let us hope not! I'm not there within the fishbowl so I can tell you the impressions left by Los Angeles, or New York or London for that matter. The world does get smaller by the day. I'll give you an example and it is by film, not Hollywood- more Bollywood than anything else, and it is "Slumdog Millionaire." Haven't seen the picture, but I was surprised as hell to see it had something to do with a contestant phoning a friend on the Indian version of 'Millionaire', the gameshow, and not something more exotic. (Then again, I often talk to someone in Mumbai whenever I have something going on with the laptop.) Then I realized that gameshow has many versions around the world. I'll read a blog from someone in Delft (Netherlands) who posts that she and her boyfriend went to a killer Mexican restaurant there! Everyone is getting more cosmopolitan than they realize. In order to be more cosmo, one has to have an interest in other nations, peoples, cultures. A city has to have a diverse people who are either from someplace else or who, in great numbers, study or practise the cultures and mores of other cities, nations and locations. Los Angeles is different. We are perfectly situated between cultures. The cultures of the East coast and the South, Midwest, Northwest..... evenly placed between the old world of Europe and the western Pacific rim of Asia. We're young enough to be influenced by these cultures and yet there is one thing we have the others don't. It is a very powerful influential aspect of our own society, internationally speaking. It draws from the past and improves upon it constantly. It is the most influentially, diversified, collaborative art form known today, the most omnipotent export any nation ever had and, because of that, and because of its place in our city, I think that keeps us from being as interested in other cultures as much as other cities. Keeps us from being as 'cosmopolitan'. Doesn't have to be that way as Hollywood is the instant invitation that enters us into the world party, the way high finance lets London and New York in. But we crap on it and I've heard that other cities would cultivate it as if it were a garden.... if they had it! If it were as indigenous to their location as it is to ours. They're trying to get as much of it as they can. See any monetary incentives being given in California to retain this industry? We may have to create another face for Los Angeles yet! I'd just assume we keep the identity we have. I'm proud of it, myself

January 17th, 2009, 11:59 AM	#3
VZN Caleuphoria Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: LBC/LA/IE Posts: 734 Likes (Received): 1	I've always said that Hollywood was just one of the many cogs that run the machine known as L.A... as time passes, as we continue to revitalize our downtown, improve our transit and diversify our economy people abroad will begin to look at the bigger picture and see that there's more to L.A. than just Hollywood. Also, California right now is experiencing something similar to what happened in Greece during the Hellenistic era, where Greek culture more or less was amalgamated with Middle Eastern and Egyptian culture. Well, in California every nation across the Pacific and in Latin America along with the obviously evident American culture is creating something that is unlike anything we've ever seen in the history of this country. Every metro within this state is going to go through a metamorphosis because of this, and L.A. certainly isn't an exception. Arguably, it's the epicenter and these events will also mold the face of the city. Right now, we are indeed looking at the birth of a new Los Angeles and I'm excited to be a part of it.

January 17th, 2009, 08:22 PM	#4
I-97!! Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 183 Likes (Received): 0	L.A. is becoming more renowned in our own country which is a positive thing but around the world, Los Angeles is highly recognized amongst the global cities. Hollywood is becoming cooler and cooler every year and more urban too. Hollywood is going to be/feel like the soul of L.A. so I think it will never shed and thats a good thing. "Hollywood is a crazy place"

January 18th, 2009, 06:16 AM	#7
*LosAngelesSportsFan* Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,923 Likes (Received): 15	Klam, i agree. this is gonna lead no where fast.