In September 1947, the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) subpoenaed approximately 80 Hollywood screen writers, directors, and producers. Only 10 of the people who were summoned appeared before the committee and became known as the Hollywood 10. The members of the committee asked them about their union memberships and if they had ever been members of the Communist Party. The people being interrogated refused to answer these questions. They also refused to name anyone they knew who might be favorable toward Communist views. Even though they had broken no laws, the 10 were found in contempt, heavily fined, and sentenced to jail terms. They were also blacklisted in Hollywood, and most had great difficulty making a living. Many other workers in the film industry were later fired because they were suspected of being Communists