JustinoXXV said:
"I'm just wanting to make good stories and maybe reverse some of the media's negative effects on society."
If you get too goody shoes and preachy about the stuff you make, no one will want to see it. There's a market for actions movies that whole families can see (Spider Man).
The market for stuff like the godfather, gangsta rap, etc is huge, because people like to see violence and hear bad words in their entertainment. Otherwise, they wouldn't spend so much money on it.
I don't really want to make squeaky clean movies. I will sometimes, but I want to do my part to get movies out that are good. Pulp Fiction, Straight Story, Braveheart, Saving Private Ryan, any Peter Weir film, The Majestic, Harvey, The Searchers, Unforgiven. Of course, fun movies too.
The idea really isn't to get preachy. Sure, a few movies might be fable-esque, but the idea would be to make movies with brains, not checkbooks.
People like to see fabulously beautiful stars.
The media is the way it is because the ultimate voters are the consumers, who vote with their dollars.
Ever watch IFC or Sundance? Those movies are full of well-known and well-liked stars. A lot of actors really don't mind doing indies that are done outside of Hollywood. They appreciate exploring roles that don't typecast them. Typically, indies do that.
Another thing I want to do when movies are released is make a spectacle of the premiere. Like if I've got a family movie I'm releasing, the first day it opens to theaters, I want people to see a three-ring circus before the movie. It won't be like that in every town. Just a few small towns in Middle America. That way, going to the movies would be like going to the fair. Clowns, popcorns, magicians, cotton candy, the works! I know I'm dreaming, but in case it comes true, at least I didn't let reality hold me back from dreaming big.
As for so called cultural degradation, culture always changes worldwide. If people overseas love American movies and buy them, that means that American studios are giving them what they want.
So? Just because it feels good doesn't mean it's good for you. I don't really think people understands the moral responsibility that goes along with broadcasting and distributing. Partially, I think it's because the media are still new. It's like the early days of flight. At first, an airplane was just an engine that could get off the ground and come back down. Film is kind of at the same point in its evolution. It hasn't been developed to the point where it can go supersonic, do aerobatics, or go to the Moon and beyond. But...I guess someone has to keep innovating it and refining it, right?
You sound like someone who would try to make movies where the movie itself preaches to people how to live a perfect life. But isn't that what we have parents, schools, and churches for?
Yeah, we've got parents and schools and churches, but look at how much crap still goes on in the world. And another thing...how many average Joes out there would rather sit for two hours in front their parents, in school, or in church than go see a movie? I would venture to say that Blockbuster Video and AMC Cinemas see more customers than the United Methodist Church. Heck...I skipped church to see Star Trek Generations and school to see Phantom Menace. I couldn't tell you how many times I skipped class in college to finish watching movies I was really enjoying. Like I said...it's not all about preaching, but just quality storytelling. With that usually comes food for thought. Plus, I think if people are exposed to more positive images, they'll find life really is a little more positive than they might've thought. What they see in the movies is what they think the world is like. The rest of the world thinks that's what America's like.
But...ya know...condemn me and my ideals if you wish. I'll take my optimistic vision for the future over your pessimism anyday!
