H'w'd shouts `action!': showbiz vital signs point to sharp upturn.(industry recession seems to be over)(Industry Overview)(Statistical Data Included)

The U.S. economy may be poised for recovery in 2002, but Hollywood seems to be already there. Just ask Neda Sharokhi, a sales rep at Beverly Hills BMW: She recently bought a $100,000 red Ferrari with a transparent hood -- a treat for herself after selling so many Beemers to showbiz insiders.

Restaurants, catering services, florists and valet services say business is flourishing. Bob Spivak, founder of BevHills power-lunch hangout the Grill, says it's never been harder to reserve a 1 p.m. booth.

As Hollywood gets further away from 2001 -- a year fraught with anxiety over strikes, dwindling stock portfolios and anthrax -- a new confidence is radiating across town.

Forty-three studio features will roll into production by the end of March, compared to 17 in the third quarter last year New development money is flowing from the studio coffers, and execs are antsy to see material.

If Hollywood has finally turned a corner, it hasn't happened overnight.

"You had the industry starting from a dead stop," says Fox prexy of production Hutch …