a film should not be dummed down to suit an audience (i'm talking to you MPAA)

image The MPAA is not a "governing" organization and does not "dumb down" anything. It's rating system is intended as a guide for parents. They rate films' content based on language, sex, and violence -- in terms of suitability for children. As a parent, I'm sure I speak for many here when I say that I'm damn glad it exists. Film makers can follow the MPAA's recommendations, or not, based on what kind of rating they want their film to receive. Ideally, if you want your film to make any money, you need a PG, PG-13, or R rating. That's actually a LOT of leeway.

The film business is a BUSINESS and movies are it's PRODUCT. Why not just say that a restaurant's chef should just serve whatever HE thinks is delicious, even if the restaurant's patrons don't like it and ultimately decide to take their business elsewhere? Or a department store should not sell fashionable or popular merchandise and just sell whatever its owners like, even if it's customers stay away in droves? Or, for another analogy, what would happen if a magician decided to give away the secret of his most jaw-dropping illusion? Would people still pay to see him perform it if they knew how it was done? (Penn & Teller are the exception because revealing how their illusions are done are what drives their comedy.) "Movie magic" is an apt phrase, because films are all about illusion.

I live in a "bedroom community" about 50 miles north of Los Angeles. The film industry is the economic engine that DRIVES Los Angeles and it's greater surrounding area. People at every level of the film industry -- not just the actors, directors and producers, but secretaries, security guards, and Human Resources people, art directors, set designers, grips, electricians, etc., and their families, the businesses and services that they patronise, and even the businesses and services that THOSE people patronise, all depend on films to be successful to make a living. My husband does not work in the film industry, but many -- in fact, most -- of his company's customers do. He needs those people to be successful so that he can be.

Right now, in 2008, the majority of American women are not interested in paying to see a film with a leading man they know is gay. American men are not interested in paying to see an actor they know is gay playing a macho action hero. A film cannot be made, cannot get investors and funding, cannot EXIST, if it is not designed to attract paying customers.

Sorry, I just got a little irritated there. Now MY rant is over. Carry on. image imageimage






Edited 1 time by princesspeach May 26 08 8:10 AM.