Taking a Chance in Hollywood

Hollywood stands as a significant cultural icon with associations of glamour, gamble, and luxury. But how did this come to be?

Hollywood's town plan was first submitted in early 1887 by American rancher Harvey H. Wilcox. The first street was titled Prospect Avenue, later to become Hollywood Boulevard (source). Prospect is synonymous with chance, possibility, promise etc. Thus even before the film-making industry, Hollywood showed representation of possibility.

At the turn of the century, Hollywood experienced the blossoming of film. Originally, Thomas Edison had a strong constrictive grip on the film industry with patents on most cameras, later forming the Motion Picture Patents Company based in New Jersey. Edison regulated who could use his cameras, and for what they could be used for. To escape the weighty consequences of violating Edison's regulations, independent filmmakers fled west to Los Angeles. Because of its ideal and constant sunny climate and creative freedom, Hollywood became the base of entertainment.

With the abundance of media, Hollywood films set trends in fashion and style. For example, the classic glamorous Hollywood look, which I personally love, includes lush waves and a simple. yet high end and/or flamboyant, wardrobe, as well as clean black eyeliner and a red lip. The Hollywood sign on Mount Lee is another example of Hollywood style.

My curiosity began when I noticed references in music. A favorite song of mine is Korean indie artist The Black Skirts' "Hollywood". I discovered it this past summer on Spotify and it soon became a favorite.

"Hollywood" overall exudes a dreamy feeling. The twinkling in the beginning is reminiscent of the 4,000 light bulbs that decked the original Hollywood sign, which created a brilliant display at the fall of dusk. The singing soft singing style and lyrics further depict something other than reality.

I found an English translation here and bolded lines that are really cohesive with the Hollywood theme:

oh, the ground i’m stepping on right now

i feel like it’ll disappear

the moment you let go of my hand

it’ll probably melt away

you live inside of a movie

i watch you

please lower the lights

when i breathe on your smooth, slender neck
my body trembles
that’s how much I like you
you can’t get a stain on your pure heart
so please love me
there’s only the beginning
the end is far away

baby i just don’t know what to say. you were my dream
you were my dream and now it all feels so real. you are real. yea
heavy hugs and light hearted jokes.
quit my day job just to stay up all night with you
we are going to hollywood and never coming back, coming back
maybe we’ll turn to gold

your red hair swayed while you gestured towards me
to tell me not to be scared
i want to hurry up and dive right in
who cares if i burn up
it’ll all crumble away anyway
i won’t go back
leave me here

don’t stop. action, friction live in a fiction baby.
hollywood.

Lines like "quit my day job just to stay up all night with you," "we are going to Hollywood and never coming back," ""you were my dream and now it all feels so real," and "maybe we'll turn to gold" describe throwing everything away in pursuit of living a real dream with a lover.

Another song is "Made in Hollywood" by LANY.

Turn off the lights, come and lay with me Write your name on my hand, just like we're seventeen Hoarse through the blinds, the sun is almost down It's just a matter of time until we run this town Young love, west coast Who cares, who knows Young love, west coast Who cares, who knows Keep it low key, so we rep all black Wear our shades on our nose, 'cause we're cool like that Drive to the beach, kiss me nice and slow Michael Jackson so loud on my radio Young love, west coast Who cares, who knows Young love, west coast Who cares, who knows We'll dream about it Talk-talk about it Won't live without it Made in Hollywood We'll dream about it Talk-talk about it Won't live without it Made in Hollywood Young love, west coast Who cares, who knows Young love, west coast Who cares, who knows We'll dream about it Talk-talk about it Won't live without it Made in Hollywood We'll dream about it Talk-talk about it Won't live without it Made in Hollywood
(lyrics cr)

"Made in Hollywood" is about young love. Like The Black Skirts' "Hollywood", the lyrics here describe chasing chance with an attitude that I can only describe as basically saying "screw it." The attitude of the couple is one of confidence. They feel on top of the world, like they can do anything.