The Uncertain Future of Hollywood Boulevard’s Buskers
May 2019
Residents of Los Angeles are informed of the future implementations and solutions that will upgrade police presence, rightfully cite and arrest soliciting buskers. But will the five-year tourism plan be effective? How so? And will the city of Los Angeles be able to continue to protect the safety of international tourists while preserving the pastime and hustle of buskers in Hollywood?
One weekend in May, I observed, followed, and interviewed “buskers” on Hollywood Boulevard. Known as street performers, some of these costumed characters are respected SAG-AFTRA actors and artists while others have a reputation for verbal abuse.
Another “Iron Man,” who goes by Alex, checked his phone while he waited for “Captain America” to arrive.
Entering their World
It is early Saturday morning and Hollywood Boulevard is nearly empty with the exception of street performers.
They begin to arrive already dressed in elaborate costumes to claim a spot for their 15-hour shift.
Formally known as "buskers," street performers are just as iconic as the Walk of Fame itself. Some are dressed as the most beloved movie characters and superheroes while others sell CD’s, perform live music, and breakdance.
Busking is an established and respected past time in Los Angeles; some of the widely recognized actors such as Robin Williams, Pierce Bronsnan and Steve Martin were discovered performing on the street.
On Hollywood Boulevard, a buskers’ main incentive is to entertain masses of tourists traveling from international countries who flock to Hollywood’s famous and photographic attractions such as the TCL Chinese Theater.
But much like comic books, the congested sidewalk has a stark contrast of characters: the superheroes - aspiring actors behind reputable costumes - and the villains - aggressive solicitors with predatory behaviors.
The Good Apples
In 2017, Los Angeles attracted 7.3 million international visitors, which was a 2.6% increase over 2016, according to LA Times.
But as eclectic and freeing as Hollywood Boulevard may seem, it was named the ‘worst tourist attraction in the world’ this year.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce defended the Walk of Fame’s poor ranking in a published statement:
”We will continue to work to create a best-in-class visitor experience for our millions of guests from around the world who visit the Walk of Fame to see the more than 2,600 enshrined stars of celebrities and entertainers - past and present."
Between Highland and Orange Drive, pedestrians overcrowd the sidewalk to take photographs of famous tourist attractions and often overspill into oncoming traffic.
The Boulevard is filled with many different characters; at least 20 street performers pose for for photos every day, and $20 is just the minimum fee for some.
Since there is no job application or proof of documentation needed to be a street performer on Hollywood Boulevard, the entry of barrier is low - anyone can put on a suit and call themselves a street performer.
In 2016, several media outlets began to report instances of inappropriate conduct between buskers and tourists. This gave the entire busking community a bad rap.
However, in my field reporting, I identified two separate groups within the busker community: the hardworking actors who busk with full respect towards the industry and tourists, and the threatening performers who act poorly like they have nothing to lose.
"Hey, is that Iron Man over there?!"
"Take the full experience!”
"Let's get you in the photo! It's more fun that way!”
On Hollywood Boulevard, there are slow days and fast days but it takes mental discipline, grit and toughness.
Respectful buskers like Paul Louis Harrell, Mark Roman Empire and Anatolli Shtapenko are SAG-AFTRA actors who have an honest approach when earning tips while pursuing dreams of stardom.
But what sets Empire, Harrell, and Anatolli apart from the aggressive performers is that they are unmasked and remain stationary by the curb during their work days, which allows tourists to come up to them.
Harrell said his interactions with tourists are mostly positive.
“80% are happy and [helps] pay the bills, 20% are the obstacles. The goal is not to take the 20% home with you,” Harrell said.
Born in Bardstown, Kentucky, Harrell moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting. He has been busking as “The Joker” and “Iron Man” on Hollywood Boulevard since January 2009.
“They were characters I could do very well,” Harrell said, who has spent over $4,250 on his costumes. In one day, he makes $100.
Busking part-time has allowed Harrell to pursue other acting jobs.
“By performing as Iron Man I was cast in a Czech Production because I became friends with the folks at Stan Winston Studios, who made the Original Mark 3 Iron Man armor, which my suit is a replica of it,” Harrell said.
Anatolii Shtapenko moved to Los Angeles from Ukraine three years ago. He grew up dancing but ultimately decided to splurge on a realistic “Super Man” costume.
“It’s the best experience in life. First of all, you meet people all over the world and you get to see all the different sides of human beings,” Shtapenko said.
However, some tourists are hesitant to give tips because they think the city pays him.
“You cannot charge everyone because not everyone can afford to take a photo. We always work by ourselves,” Shtapenko said.
Empire entered the busking industry six years ago when his background acting jobs required him to travel through the Hollywood area. He wore a tuxedo and held a statue for his first character “Oscar Mark.”
His recent characters, which he said he puts at least $100 into each costume, are “Lieutenant Frank” (a police outfit with rainbow-color furry boots), and “Captain Marvel”a (red, white and blue suit with a big shield), which are more recognizable to tourists nowadays.
Like Harrell, Empire is not only a working artist but also a SAG-AFTRA actor with over 50 Internet Movie Database (IMBD) credits.
Although Empire said he doesn’t make as much (he declined to comment), he continues to busk because its convenient and flexible, and he enjoys the reactions of children.
“To them, you are Captain America. That on a personal level, to be able to see the joy in kids eyes, it’s something I didn’t get to enjoy with my son. It makes me happy and it feels like the world is in a better place,” Empire said.
The Bad and The Ugly
While Los Angeles natives tend to stay away from the “tourist trap,” international tourists, specifically the Asian market, make up “38% of the [6 million individual visitors who generated nearly 12 million annual visits to Hollywood],” according to a 2016 survey by LA Tourism and Convention Board.
Before the influx of aggressive buskers who infiltrated the street scene, Harrell said the community of hard-working street performers was “very laid-back and pleasant.”
“People could wander and approach you without the fear of being hassled and had no problem tipping for what service we provide,” Harrell said.
Unfortunately, it is every day that international tourists are preyed on by menacing street performers who take advantage of the language barriers, and most importantly, their vulnerability.
Commissioned by the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Bureau, a 2015 visitor profile survey determined that “74 percent of tourists said they were approached by a vendor or performer, with 49 percent being costumed characters and 42 percent by CD sellers. Of those surveyed, 20 percent found their experiences with the characters and vendors to be unsatisfactory.
‘Aggressive and rude’ was the most commonly reported cause of the unsatisfactory experience.”
Over the years, Empire has observed that “the well-organized tour companies out of the Asian countries have incorporated in their system that they just said ‘ don’t talk to buskers.’ They have nothing to do with the buskers.”
However, most international tourists are not warned about the dark side of the “bad apples” with cunning tactics and dirty schemes.
Like a game of cat and mouse, greedy street performers will do anything to earn their buck and know that its very rare for international tourists to press charges.
A “Spider Man” tried to grab the attention of passing tourists. The man and his wife simply did not care.
“As a tourist, by the nature of being a tourist and law enforcement, it’ s practically impossible to defend your rights as a citizen or visitor. If you suffer a crime and prosecute the criminal under the best circumstances, it puts a huge burden on you to spend money and time for there to be any justice,” Empire said.
“They say business used to be more lucrative until the boulevard became overpopulated with costumed characters,” Harrell said.
“Their run-down costume is a pretense to steal money. All they need is enough and they’re not concerned at all on how they look. They make a lot of money because they can get away with crimes. There’s no incentive to get a better costume,” Empire said.
Upon first glance, “Super Boy” looked and acted exactly like the characters' portrayal in Hollywood films. His clean shaven face, slicked- back blonde hair, piercing blue eyes, and signature red cape drew attention to families with children.
In one of the many interactions I observed “Super Boy” pulled out a wad of cash, suggesting that since others have paid, so should the parents.
“Basic courtesy requires you to accept it,” Empire said.
Tensions rose when the mother clutched her purse, the father repeatedly shook his head, and the child stopped smiling.
But it didn’t stop “Super Boy” from fighting back. As the parents tried to walk away, “Super Boy” impeded their path and continued to beg.
Fortunately, the father was persistent and the family was able to flee.
Some tourists will reject street performers’ demands for tips but the interactions do result in physically confrontational and distasteful experiences.
While some tourists are successful to reject street performers’ demands for tips, there is usually no escape route in cases for female tourists.
I followed two costumed characters “Fake Captain America” and “Green Hulk” as the pair walked along the star-studded street to find their next unsuspecting target.
Wearing a run-down “Captain America” suit, another street performer approached two female tourists. After the photo was taken, he kissed the hand of one female while his friend, the Green Hulk, placed his arms around her bottom and then proceeded to pick her up without her consent.
The visibly embarrassed woman stopped grinning as her friend, who was unsure of how to react, still captured the awkward moment.
Once more, the confrontation began: the pair demanded twenty dollars and even went as far as taking money out of the wallet for her, which was a clear form of robbery.
When asked how she felt about the experience, the international tourist who wanted to remain anonymous said the costumed characters harassed her until she gave in.
"I couldn't say 'no' because this place is a once-in-a-lifetime experience," she said.
The most aggressive interaction I experienced during my reporting on Saturday morning was with the same “Super Boy” who accosted a family.
When I asked how long he had been busking, he furiously said:
“BUSKING?! I SHOULD SLAP YOU FOR EVEN SAYING THAT!”
He then laughed in my face and marched off. His friend who wore a beat up “Spider Man” costume said I was funny. During my reporting, “Super Boy” and “Super Man” would stare and avoid me at all costs.
Friendliness can be deceiving but don’t let them fool you. These two are sometimes too nice. They are known for their poor behavior towards female tourists.
‘It’s a Free-For-All’
As early as 2007, crimes of violent physical fights between masked buskers, and tourists were reported. Most of these reports of tourist assaults that resulted in arrests and convictions were publicized in local news.
The largest arrest or “crackdown” occurred between June 2 and 4 in 2010, according to LA Curbed. Several superhero impersonators including Harrell were wrongfully arrested for “aggressive begging and loitering.”
After they were released, Harrell and others sued Los Angeles Police Department in a lawsuit called "Hollywood Characters vs. City of LA.” They asked for compensatory and punitive damages, and preliminary and permanent injunctions.
In the end, they won the case.
In my research, I found "Hollywood Characters Association” and contacted them via Facebook Messenger.
But even after the crackdown, the outcome instilled a fear for those costumed characters as some discontinued performing and refused to return for fear of arrests.
“It was illegal and I am sure the city will try something again soon. It's obvious it’s a problem, but law enforcement increase is necessary,” Harrell said, who hopes police officers will conduct stings on buskers who solicit.
Since then, there have been various arrests including a “SpongeBob” who allegedly punched two women, and a female pirate who stole $100 from a Chinese tourist.
Now, some would think police enforcement officers patrol the busy boulevard but during my reporting, I did not see any at all.
But police presence should never be a “hit or miss” on a busy tourist attraction like the Walk of Fame.
The safety of international tourists are at risk, and the emotionally disturbing illegal tactics and unwarranted physical assaults continue to go unnoticed by police enforcement.
In front of the Hollywood & Highland shopping mall, there has been a new addition of watchful protectors. They are security guards representing Allied Universal Security Services.
Two months ago, the City of Los Angeles installed a line of steel barricades after an unnamed street performer attacked Chinese tourists, according to Harrell.
However, the barricades are nowhere strong nor secure enough to incite fear for the aggressive street performers who continue to cross the private property line, and obstruct foot traffic and illegally solicit tips on public property.
“Darth Vader” knows he must not cross the metal barricades but others break all the laws. (Photo by Laurie Maemura)
Though its common law for street performers to not impede pedestrian traffic flow, block or otherwise obstruct entrances or exits, or endanger the public, the bad-behaving costumed street performers continue to break all these rules every day.
One female security guard, who wanted to remain anonymous, said the misbehaving street performers are impossible to regulate.
"They're very defiant," she said, of those who repeatedly cross the private property line. Her coworker, a watchful male security guard added, "these fences are here for a reason.”
While security guards oversee private property, it is the lack of police presence that is a major concern for employees of businesses along the busy street.
Taylor Munoz, an employee at Randy's Donuts, said, ”[The non-affiliated buskers] way more aggressive. They're very like, in your face, and they'll even follow you too.”
An anonymous female Starline Tours guide, who has been working on the boulevard for 10 years, said she has tried to warn foreign tourists.
While she appreciates the presence of security guards, she said they still are not helpful because "they don't put themselves at risk to help tourists.”
But not only are the employees affected by the confrontational buskers, street performers like Empire said they are difficult to avoid.
Last Sunday, Empire recalled a family taking a photo with “Iron Man,” but a “Spider Verse Spider Man” probed them with “Endgame” movie spoilers.
As petty as that may seem, Empire said, “there’s so much that can go sideways, that can get dangerous quickly. It’s like why, what’s the point?”
“We will say to tourists, you know, you can do photos for tips with any amount you want, and that tends to get (the other buskers) away. You don’t have anything to hide but they do. They’ve gotten arrogant because there’s little enforcement. It’s very limited so they feel they can act in that way,” Empire said.
One positive upside to Empire’s character, “Lt. Frank,” is that it seems to have a discouraging effect on the low-level buskers. Although some of them think he is an undercover cop because of his costume, they still go after him.
“I follow the law. If anything were to happen to me, there’s a lot of people who is watching me and I have no control what they do in the future. I consider that as me, a law abiding citizen, don’t mess with me. I’ll just walk away when they get in my face. I don’t fear them in the slightest,” Empire said.
Even though it is not the security guards’ nor the tourism guides’ job to regulate the overcrowding number unpleasant buskers and the safety of tourists, the lack of police presence remains a concerning disappointment to the boulevard’s employees and respectful buskers.
‘Mitch O’Where Are You’
While currently no legal framework or code of conduct for buskers, the boulevard continues to be the perfect hunting ground: the free-for-all environment allows predatory and violent costumed characters to roam freely. And with summer around the corner, heavy foot traffic is to be expected.
Although no permits are currently required for street performers, buskers must not solicit on county property, according to Ordinance. 2292 § 1, 1933.
They must not block ramps, doorways, driveways, or use amplification. They also must stay on the sidewalk, not harass or directly solicit pedestrians, and leave a clear path for pedestrians.
In 2014, My News LA reported that city officials had been actively considering requiring buskers to have permits but ultimately decided against it.
This ordinance was created by Los Angeles City council member Mitch O’Farrell who is currently on board with designating city resources to “maintain a safe, secure and welcoming environment for residents and visitors.”
The rules of the ordinance are as follows: “If they block pedestrian traffic, generate a crowd that impedes walking traffic or don’t carefully observe how far they should be from crosswalks and building entrances, they could lose access to a permit for three months.”
On May 3, 2018, Director Bureau of Street Services Nazario Sauceda sent a budget memo (page 16) to the Budget and Finance Committee of Hollywood Chamber of Commerce that detailed the allocation of permits in the “Hollywood Boulevard First Amendment Program.”
“The proposed program would provide a Bureau of Street Services Investigator to issue passes for performers at the beginning of an eight-hour day block, and another investigator to issues passes at the beginning of an eight-hour evening block. Passes would be issued seven days a week on a first-come, first-served basis,” Sauceda wrote.
“Once the block's allotment of passes had been distributed, the investigator would spend the rest of the shift enforcing the regulations to ensure that only performers who have a pass are allowed to perform.
In order to support a day shift and evening shift seven days a week, three Investigator positions would be needed. The direct salary cost for the three investigators would be approximately $200,000. Another $40,000 would need to be provided for overtime, one rental sedan to be shared by the three investigators, uniforms, supplies and other costs.”
But some buskers believe that by limiting the number of daily passes violates their First Amendment rights.
“The government doesn’t issue permits for free speech. The First Amendment is my permission,” Harrell said.
Empire, who calls Mitch O’Farrell, ‘Mitch O’Where Are You,’ believes “the city has been licking the wounds [from the 2010 lawsuit]. They’re pissed off at buskers and they think the solution is getting rid of buskers all together.”
If the ordinance became a law, the permit could reduce the number of scams but there are still implications.
“I could just walk the other side of Highland,” Empire said.
“Edward Scissorhands” often scraped his 'scissor blades along the metal barricades. Does he too dislike his limited surface area?
Last year, Los Angeles Times reported that the Department of Convention and Tourism Development proposed a five-year tourism development plan.
Though this action focuses on creating new attractions and further improving visitor experience, the safety issue for tourists has still been unaddressed.
I reached out to council member O’Farrell by email. I received an email from Tony Arranga, the Communications director for O’Farrell.
“The policy is pending in Public Safety Committee and the Mayor's Budget for FY 19-20 envisions a program for this item. Note: on page 680 of the Budget overview, Volume I, there is a program under Bureau of Street Services called 'Hollywood Blvd Enforcement & 1st Amendment Zone,’” Arranga wrote. “We continue to work with our City Departments on this, and we're hopeful to have a program up and running soon.”
As City Council members scramble to fix the underlying issues on the Walk of Fame including the safety of tourists, long-time respected buskers like Harrell, Empire and Shtapenko believe they have been waiting too long for any major changes.
Although Shtapenko said he has never seen buskers get arrested, he hopes that “somehow [the city] will operate in the proper way.”
The profession of busking is a historical practice of art, freedom of expression, and for others, the only way to make a living in Los Angeles.
And today, it is continuously being poisoned by aggressive street performers.
“I’d rather just have the right people who are supposed to do something about it at the City of Los Angeles to take care of the problem. It's their job. The police have to do what the city says for them to do, so it's the city's responsibility first,” Harrell said.