As we move into our short story unit I would like you all to think about what makes a great story. Many would argue that beyond the typical writing techniques that are hailed (character development, use of literary techniques, etc.), a unique, engaging plot is a necessity of a great story. But, what happens when all of our stories have been told? What happens when, through the glut of social media and ubiquity of entertainment, we have been exposed to most of those stories about human existence that we wish to hear? How then can a unique story be created?
Take a couple of minutes to read Mark Harris' article "The Day the Movies Died" from GQ magazine. Although I don't wholly agree with Harris' argument, I can see the validity with some of what he espouses. Audiences love to hail the films that look interesting or star favorite actors and actresses. Unfortunately, those films that strive to tell a unique story are not given the green light.
Perhaps the most poignant part of Harris' article is at the end when a studio executive admits, "We don't tell stories anymore." He infers in previous portions of the article that the lack of storytelling is due to movie studios sticking with safe scripts, but I would argue that this lack of storytelling is due to a decline in the ability to create new stories. As a result we are seeing a ton of sequels, adaptations, and remakes crowding theaters and "enticing" moviegoers.
What is your opinion on what both Harris and I have to say about the quality of contemporary storytelling? Be sure to use specific examples to support your argument...
16 comments:
I actually do agree with most of what was said in the article, because it is true: all movies that come out these days have the same boring plotline and are alike in many ways.
This might be the cause of us only wanting to see a limited genre of movies. Action movies, romances, and comedies now-a-days all tend to drift into previous years movies' plotlines, over and over again.
Avatar was undoubtably an exceptional movie, it had stunning visuals, some intense action scenes and romance. A movie everyone wants to see. But how many times has that same bland story been told? A gazillion times! Nobody wants to watch a movie without a decent and interesting story, good graphics or not.
The plot is what attracts most viewers, including myself. Of course, as mentioned in the article "For the studios, a good new idea has become just too scary a road to travel." different movie concepts have become too discouraging to even think about. No movie director wants to see their 'surely-to-succeed' movie being taunted at.
This just leaves me whit one more thing to say: we should step out of our comfort zone and go out there to see and experience life (movies) differently, instead of just sticking with the safest choice.
I agree with what Mark Harris said in the GQ article because he is right. Hollywood doesn't have great movies anymore, everything is the same. They don't try to take risks and make up new story lines that may attract a wide variety of audiences. I understand though that directors have a fear of doing that maybe because if the movie isn't successful they wont gain back the money they lost by making the movie.
Most of the movies that are made today are extremely similar or remakes. For example, the movies No String's Attached and Friends with Benefits, have the exact same plot line. Now why would someone want to go see two movies that are extremely alike?
Of course a lot of people watch certain movies because of its plot or the actors in the film but not always will the same story line or our favorite actors, make a movie worth watching. I think directors should sit down and discuss a movie with an amazing, and original story line. One that won't be like dejavu for people anymore.
Harris couldn't have been more accurate as to what is happening in the movie industry today.Harris states, "One prequel to an adaptation of a comic book. One sequel to a sequel to a movie based on a toy. One sequel to a sequel to a sequel to a movie based on an amusement-park ride. One prequel to a remake. Two sequels to cartoons. One sequel to a comedy....etc...."It seems as though every movie end drastically, so they can create and sequel that will connect with the exact same plot. And most of the films today tend towards a simple plot of a love story, but put a creative topic, like superheros, into it for a splash of something "unique". Yes, I do have a strange, yet excited urge to overlook these undeveloped, typical movies of romance; I will probably end up loving it either way. But, I know there could be major steps to expand the plot ideals for movie makers to produce.
One example I can concur to is the movie Beastly. I know this storyline is based on a novel, but they couldn't be a little more clever with picking a title? Just by witnessing the trailers on the television, I could have predicted it was actually a remake of the Disney movie Beauty and the Beast. This show that not only is the entertainment life being affected, but now the literature has morphed a stone wall, blocking any directions of something extraordinary.
"We don't tell stories anymore." When Harris quoted this at the end, I knew he wasn't just referring to the production on the silver screens. He out-stretched this to every person who has been shut down due to their "wild" conceptions of new,improved plot strategies. Writers from all over have all experienced this. The blame shouldn't be projected towards the scripters, but the person who, unwillingly, declines variation. We need to be more open-minded to change and not just toss it like a banana peel into the trash can. If the industrial people want to maintain the audiences' attention fully, I suggest they begin grasping onto unusual plot ideas. Stories must be told once again.
Everything that Mark has stated in this article is valid information. Nowadays in the film industry, many studios are favoring the traditional, morose, safe films in which they are sure, will coax the audience. Yet, I also believe that there is a superfluous variety of different cinema available for every type of personality. Take the case of, The Black Swan, a psychological thriller in which a prima ballerina struggles to be perfect. Also, Eat Pray Love, which requires a certain personality to thoroughly enjoy and relate to the characters. Lets not forget Inception which as stated in Mark's article, "grossed $62 million on its first weekend". And Inception wasn't your typical plot line. And this is why as Mark remarked, the studios responded surprised,"here was the buzz three months later, after Inception became the only release of 2010 to log eleven consecutive weeks in the top ten: Huh. Well, you never know."
I guess what I am trying to say is that I understand the need for studios to be more optimistic, nevertheless cinema is doing a pleasing job in attempting to create a variety of films for all audiences.
- I have to agree that most movies now a days are repeated stories we have heard over and over again; they only seem to varied in execution. Competition is tough in the movie industry, but way too many "save" pieces are being released. Harris brings up a very good point when stating, "It gives endless comfort to those who would rather not have to try to make them (great movies) and can happily take cover behind a shield labeled 'The people have spoken.'" It comes to no surprise that people are "hiding out" from possibly making a terrific films. What makes a story interesting is when the envelope has been pushed, and it open viewers eyes to a story that has never told before in a sublime manner.
- Perhaps it is us as viewers that should change. If we keep going out and investing on these undistinctive movies, we are basically supporting them and saying that "this is want we want more of." After all, it is the viewers response that truly matters. If viewers become more conscious of the films they're watching, its likely that the amount of sequels and remakes will decrease, and a new market of original and magnificent motion pictures will flourish.
Modern storytelling has taken a huge turning point as of previous years. The major changes are seen in the plotlines for these movies. I wouldn't nessesarily call it changes, more like repetitions of plots. These original screenplays have been adapted and enjoyed throughout the years, however, we are seeing many movies been remade with th same plot to make a newer version. These films are being copied and have basically little originality.
Unique and successful movies have original and ingenious ideas which draw attention to the viewers. These films are the beggining of sequels to follow. However amazing the sequels may be, they still remain telling the same story.
Storytelling should be more original and diverse, sequels tell the same stories and offer no more further information than the original film. Viewers are desperately awaiting the next big film. No more sequels or retelling of stories, It's time to get original!
Every year, a new superhero movie is released. The hero falls in love, gets in trouble with the villain, and saves the world in the end. Same story, different title, every single time. And the comedies are all stupid humor and are repeating the same actors, Zach Galifianakis from The Hangover, Michael Cera, Seth Rogan, and Jonah Hill from Superbad. Hollywood has come to such an abrupt lack of creativity, that viewers have become used to seeing the same plot lines and same actors, and in fact enjoy it.
I agree with Harris that "Hollywood has become an institution that is more interested in launching the next rubberized action figure than in making the next interesting movie." Of course, the largest grossing industry in America needs to stay alive somehow, but to veer away from the pointless movies that never make the big screens, or the movies that are a disappointing flop, Hollywood needs to hire creative minds and writers with new stories to tell and create. At this point, anything will do.
Sequels are too dragged on, too many superheros are saving the world, there are way too many "boogie monsters" and hauntings, and an excessive amount of vampires falling in love. Obviously, the audience love more of the same fictional stories, but they get old and after the second or third sequels, they lack entertainment and interest. In my opinion, Hollywood needs writers, actors, and directors telling their own stories, nonfictional stories that grab the attention, that people can relate to.
Hollywood's creativity is without a doubt dying down. There are too many talented actors wasted and useless, and too little effort of making a worthy movie like Inception or a gorgeous movie such as Avatar.
I pretty much agree with everything this articles saying because I think he makes valid points. He is talking about how Hollywood is not interested in making any "real" movies anymore. For example, Toy Story is a very popular children's film but I think after the second one they should have stopped. Making a sequel of a sequel of a pointless movie like TOy Story is a waste of time. Good directors like those should dedicate more of their time to make an actual movie, than movies that appeal to children.
Hollywood movies are just not what they used to be. TO me, old movies like Titanic and The Godfather are just a lot more appealing and interesting than the movies from now. A plethora of movies right now don't have a real plot, so it is very pointless to even watch them. This article brought up many valid points which I completely agree with.
Juan Garcia
I agree with Harris to a certain extent. I have to say that most of the resent movies within the past half-decade havent been that well thought out or original. Even though you have some of those exceptions like "Inception" for instance.
If someone where to tell me that Holywood doesnt "green light" new and original ideas (as said in the article) I would believe them. There are plenty of examples of prequals, sequals, and remakes. I mean for goodness sake Saw VII?! Whats the point of telling the same story over again 7 times?
I have say that Ive come to the conclusion that Harris is correct. I havent seen an original movie in quite sometime. Maybe its just that we've run out of stories to tell. A well-known movie website "The Internet Movie Database"(IMDb) has logged over 700,000 American made movies alone. Have we run out of stories to tell? Who knows maybe its just a lack of creativity. Whatever it is though I hope that eventually movies will be original again. I really hope I never have to witness the making Transformers 12.
I agree with what is being said with you and the author of the article. People are slacking in the field of creativity and we as viewers of their work are containing ourselves on a box. There is a relaspse that is occuribg over and over. The genres are the same but came be portrayed differently. Such as in the topic of romance. It's usually the same plot line. Boy meets girl boy gets girl and they live happily ever after, and if not a sequal occurs. We are usually expecting the outcomes but we still continue to watch these films. Time will change but humans will not. We are still going to proceed and view these films. Just like the article says," a new good idea has become just too a scru road too travel." Just like people are too scared to change their concepts we are scared to try them.
I agree with everything that is said. Warner Bros is basically having producers using the same plot line to try to reel in more money like they did when the story was first published. However, everything is not working that way now. People began to get bored of the same plot line. People like to experience different endings, and different plots.
For instance, Avatar. Even though that movie was gathered over many years, the basic plot line was based on Pocahontas. Basically, blue people running around with romantic love. Many producers as you can see have taken stories too long. As the article talked about sequel after sequel, that relates to Harry Potter. The plot line drags on and on. Harry Potter was supposed to stop at around seven movies, but a new one is coming out because of the money the actors and producers made for the recent one.
I personally would like to see different story lines and plots. I haven't been to the movies in a while because producers are struggling to find ideas and I know that every movie connects in a certain way.
For the most part I agree to both statements. One might think a movie is cool because it has that person’s favorite character. In addition someone will think that if a movie is in 3-d or 4-d it is an automatically a great movie. I am here to them that they are wrong. For instance, going to see a Barney movie in 4-d does not make the movie “cool” or interesting.
I point I want to bring up is that Hollywood has seemed money obsessed. They are only using or making thing they can make money on. For example, look at the stretch Armstrong incidence they brought up. They sold these things because they knew they would make money off of it. Harris even stated” Hollywood has become an institution that is more interested in launching the next rubberized action figure than in making the next interesting movie.” So with the focus on the money, no wonder the movies they produce are decreasing in quality.
There is a point that Harris brought up that and Mrs. Stoklosa agreed on, in my opinion, is wrong. He said "We don't have stories anymore." But he stated earlier in that article that the movies take about two years for them to make it on the screens. So there is a story out there that is good and will be shown, but not now. As well as the large amount of ideas for movies that isn’t really shown on the big screen
I agree with most of the article. I believe that most movies these days lack excitement, and individuality. Not as many classic films are being made and movies are an everyday occurance.
New plot lines need to be developed and new themes for movies need to be created. How can we expect people in 20 years to remember our movies? We no longer present classics like Gone With The WInd, or Forrest Gump.
In the article, it makes references to the movie Inception and how there was hype about it being an amazing movie, but will people remember this movie? I do not think so. Nothing lately has changed my life. Sure, there have been good but they have not been great, or life changing. To relate it to the world of competitive figure skating, theres no more Michelle Kwans, only a few Sasha Cohens.
Hopefully, someone will get it together to create an amazing movie, but until then, we are left with inconsistent mediocrity.
cory leschel p3
As stated in the article, I believe that people in the film industry are sticking to a safe path when making a new movie. It seems as if all the new movies are either sequels to old ones or just the same plot everyone's seen countless times retold again. This could be due to a block in the flow of new ideas for a movie (director's block). However, it could be the beginning of of a new standard for what makes a good movie- a lower one. As movies are dissapointing more and more, the line between a good movie and terrible one is sinking. As stated in the article, "If films like The Bounty Hunter and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time define the new "okay," then the system is, not to put too fine a point on it, in very deep... [problems]."
However, even with the lower standards on movie making, directors are still expecting to earn a lot of profit by including well known names in the film industry to their work. Adding the names of celebrities in movie advertisements and trailers highly increases the amount of people who will end up watching the movie. Nevertheless, whether you have a famous actor or not, the plot is still the same, and that is what directors need to focus more attention on when putting together a new movie.
Melissa Magalhaes Period 3
It seems like nowadays movies are all the same. I've found myself being bored by many of the movies that are "blockbusters". A lot of the times I don't even have to watch the movie to know what it's about because, chances are I've already seen that story a million times. The quality of contemporary storytelling has become so low, it's insane. In 2011 alone, over 25 sequels and adaptations and remakes are being released. It'd be great to see more films like "Inception" that are really unpredictable and almost blow you mind away. When I hear people say they didn't like movies like "Inception", I just think to myself "Well you probably didn't understand it". People like to shut off their minds and watch a cool light show for 2 hours and come out the same person, having been entertained by pure shit.
I agree partially with both the article and what Mrs. Stoklosa has to say. It is becoming harder and harder to make an exceptional movie these days because there are so many great and unique movies already out, but thats not to say that it's impossible. Movies like the Avatar and the Hangover defy this. Thrilling movies are still being created, we just see producers have the tendency to latch on to old ideas old hits. It is the safe and easy thing to do. I believe that they fear releasing a movie that goes against the norm.
I don't think that just a good plot or actors is what attracts the movie goers. I think it's the attractiveness of the movie it's; meaning the visual affects and how the story relates to he viewers. For example the hangovers was one of the best comedies in my opinion ever to be made because it goes along with the theme that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas and the avatar was one of the best motion pictures because it was something that only happens in dreams.
I believe producers need to come out of their shell and create movies that have never been made before.
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