Entry 4

Option 2
If a person was under contract with a studio, they were a slave to the beast. His or her contracts were seven year terms. An actor worked up to fourteen hours a day. They were forbidden to engage in non approved acting activities (theatre, radio, television.) Their personal behavior was regulated.... there was a morals clause in their contracts. The studio governed over other features of their off screen appearance including hairstyles, choice of clothing, and even their weight. The studio contract required actors to act in whatever films the studio cast them in, made them attend studio publicity functions, publicize their own films, promote product tie-ins, or even be loaned out to other studios to fulfill the same obligations there for one or two pictures. Failure of any of these tasks resulted in suspensions or fines. If you were suspended for any length of time, it was added to the contract and made up. Of course, it couldn't be all bad. After all, you were guaranteed work for seven years. People today would kill for an opportunity like that.