By Alfred Eastwood
Text to be published in the journal FILMHISTORIA Online, vol. XX, no. 1 (2010).
El sueño en peligro
Durante muchos años la palabra Hollywood ha sido sinónimo de entretenimiento en todo el mundo y no pocos países han intentado emular su éxito por medio de la repetición de sus fórmulas narrativas y el despliegue técnico del que los grandes estudios siempre hacen alarde. Además de las películas norteamericanas que tienen su marca registrada, hoy es posible ver "cine de Hollywood" en muchos países (incluyendo Colombia) en películas fáciles para el público, con finales felices y efectos deslumbrantes; no es gratuito que a dos de las industrias cinematográficas más importantes en el mundo se les llame Bollywood (India- most movies with Hollywood) and Nollywood (Nigeria).
Hollywood is a fact that (once called the dream factory) is in crisis and it is for many reasons: lack of public, unfair competition, piracy and, not least, the lack of stories. And where are the stories?
experienced in 2007 Hollywood writers strike that threatened to cripple the industry if not claimed the role of the writer, perhaps the weakest link in the film production chain. The strike of the keyboard could have produced a major crisis for the industry that there would been to attract the public if she did not "thinkers" of the stories, but like the movie The Player (Altman, 1992) was prophetic, the producers dispensed with the services of some genius to come to the artisans, who are increasingly are more common in movies. The Player
spoken in contempt of the industry for writers, who are portrayed as being bohemian, passionate and a little crazy, which contrasts with the glamorous life, waste and arrogance of actors and producers. In an excerpt from the film, the new producer goes so far as to suggest the demise of the writers saying that just read the newspaper to find the stories that count. During
long time, the best and worst films have been produced in the U.S. and some of the stories of Hollywood have been memorable, but in recent years the industry has focused more on the merchandising, promotion of the actors and technical experimentation , leaving the good stories on indie films that also attracts the public sector. The perfect solution for the industry has been the recruitment of the best independent filmmakers, video clips and commercials to fit your style and present a "new face" of the industry.
Piracy, meanwhile, continues to grow and is becoming uncontrollable. Today it is almost ridiculous to think about the big scandal trial in 2001 against Napster (the first site that offered downloads music and videos) that led to its closure, to the increase of sites that allow all types of discharge without any apparent control.
This situation is compounded now with the major problem experienced by the industry to attack piracy today is not a matter of great criminals, if not almost anyone who has Internet access and a good broadband speed. Given the number of movie downloads, legal and illegal, are made every day, the industry loses access to the rooms and had to redesign some years the ritual of cinema to explore new market niches such as food.
As I suggested in my book "Film: Recipes and Symbols", the movie business today is food and should not be too suspicious to understand that there is no reason to ever fewer people go to movies and more open room. The fall box office (which is present in most countries), has led to most of the exhibitors lower the price of the ticket so that more people can attend, but still not profitable, so go to expanding the food supply. In Colombia, a double combo in a room costs an average of $ 16,000 ($ 8) and is sure to win for a combo is over 200%.
Lifeline in 3 dimensions
Against this background, the industry invented the 3D. The funny thing is that the big news is quite old that has been refined in recent years with an impressive development. The possibility of watching movies with volume is a dazzling effect, as such, it becomes tedious. The eye gets used to trick and resents having to maintain for long periods of eye while two signals, we can not forget that 3D is a technique that uses our sense of vision to project two overlapping films that together give the illusion of depth, due to the different information received by each eye.
The effect of the third dimension gives the film striking ingredient and must be recognized to do a movie like Avatar is a delight for the senses so careful of his spectacular technique and the image acquired, although we can not confuse the art with narrative. Avatar, for example, has a nice environmental message and a story that seems new, but that analysis seems too easy to films like Pocahontas and, above all, Dances with Wolves.
also recently was released amid great expectations, the film Alice in Wonderland cult director Tim Burton. Even if not a fan of Burton, we must recognize that it is a serious director, with a cultivated style and characteristic. The tape was announced almost a year in advance and the trailer (presented in 3D movies) could enjoy some stunning visual effects. Beyond the effect, however, there is no grace in this story.
Leaving the technical paraphernalia, the litmus test for one of these movies is the visualization in a traditional theater. The film is being made for the effect and not vice versa, it should be. The special effects must serve the story, to create dramatic impact, because otherwise the film back to its origins of carnival and only assist with the tricks to amaze visual display presented to us. The risk to the industry is that sense of wonder has a limit and, in our times, this is quite short. Hollywood still looking
its glory and thinks he has found the magic formula in 3D and the retreading of stories. The public is less naive than the industry to create and someday will require a return to simplicity, because the real magic of cinema is in good stories.
