"They just stand there," the producer complained, watching the black-clad worshipers file out of the studio.

The sites are far from perfect, though, and producers complain that many times the news items posted turn out to be unfounded rumors.

Apart from the titles, producers have complained that the cover art is also too similar to that of the originals.

Mr. Koppel's producers have complained about being blindsided by news of the talks.

For instance, the guidelines could set off safeguards in cases where no local producer was complaining, he said.

But as in a family, some producers and agents complained of confusion in their business dealings with the studio.

At the same time, directors and producers complain, a certain sclerosis seems to have set in at the major movie studios.

In the fall, some producers complained he was not developing movies quickly enough to fill Paramount's 2006 slate.

Still, many producers complain that the tests carry too much weight.

"I have to pay for the light bulbs," complained one frustrated producer.