I'm dreddging up some old memories here, but I think I read an episode in 2000AD where he did, and we only see his head from the back, but it's clear he has hideous scarring or somesuch.
Has Hollywood become too Dependent On Blockbuster films?
- Thread starter BAYLOR
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I'm dreddging up some old memories here, but I think I read an episode in 2000AD where he did, and we only see his head from the back, but it's clear he has hideous scarring or somesuch.
Vladd67
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Delfilm
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Before Jaws there were still many films that made lots of money. It is Money that Hollywood is dependant on and successful Blockbusters make them lots of money. Business and creativity are an odd mix that is hard to get right. True creativity cannot be formulated, but in business everyone wants to find that secret formula. If you try to predict what the next big thing is going to be, you will fail. Hollywood most of the time plays it safe and will churn out the same stuff over and over again until audiences reject it. They then go through a period of experimentation where they have no choice but to take risks. In the 1970's it was Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, today it is James Gunn and J.J.Abrams. However there does seem to me a lack of original work being made. The only studio to really balance sequels with originality over the last 20 years has been Pixar. Everyone else is still very reliant on existing material even if it's just used for inspiration like the wonderful Big Hero 6.
Steven Spielberg and George Lucas gave the movie industry a huge boost right when it needed it. They were the start of the modern blockbuster era that we have today. When Star Wars and Close Encounters hit the theaters and made unexpected and unbelievable millions. Every studio wanted their own Star Wars. In the process, this elevated science fiction films. It Took them from B movie to mainstream. Unfortunately, it further hastened the demise of B Movies.
Overread
Searching for a flower
Pixar actually has quite a few formulas that they work with. However they are more subtle in how they function and as such allow the creative team a lot more latitude on how to craft and tell the stories that they tell. There's a few "making of" documentaries out there on Pixar and its interesting to hear of some of the formulas that they work with and that even when you start to see patterns they are subtle story telling tools rather than flat out copy-catting.
One that I recall is that they use a formula where they present the beginning of the film with the key characters having something, often an idealistic lifestlye or at the very least a happy one. They then create a point of drama, a major event very early on that destroys this period of happyness and presents conflict and challenge for the lead character(s).
Hollywood in general though is more poaching fans at present; they are re-releasing all these old classics with new-modern takes to try and get a guaranteed early boost of fans who will be there in the cinema to watch it for that box-office week.
One that I recall is that they use a formula where they present the beginning of the film with the key characters having something, often an idealistic lifestlye or at the very least a happy one. They then create a point of drama, a major event very early on that destroys this period of happyness and presents conflict and challenge for the lead character(s).
Hollywood in general though is more poaching fans at present; they are re-releasing all these old classics with new-modern takes to try and get a guaranteed early boost of fans who will be there in the cinema to watch it for that box-office week.
And in doing that , they are diluting the product, which could in the long run, effect their bottom line.
Overread
Searching for a flower
True they could; but on the flipside the mechanics they work with tend to be more in the background of their storytelling. As a result it more establishes a theme and style that generally is something which tends to work in favour than against. Because it means that each time something comes out the audience has an expectation of its content, direction, quality etc... So long as that remains positive the formula is working - small tweaks here and there are all that is needed.
Authors use the very same tools when they produce long running series - they establish a writing voice that they try to stick to - more or less even though it will evolve over time subtly - they establish a style of writing within that world-set and character grouping. If you pick up a Discworld book you have some idea of what style and presentation you'll get within - not so much story structure (although it wouldn't surprise me if there are patterns of events that can be identified within them - be they accidental or deliberate mechanics).
Authors use the very same tools when they produce long running series - they establish a writing voice that they try to stick to - more or less even though it will evolve over time subtly - they establish a style of writing within that world-set and character grouping. If you pick up a Discworld book you have some idea of what style and presentation you'll get within - not so much story structure (although it wouldn't surprise me if there are patterns of events that can be identified within them - be they accidental or deliberate mechanics).
Overread
Searching for a flower
How to get Hollywood to make better films - reduce the population so that there are less and less people to go see films and thus all the "record breaking" records stop happening; thus forcing them to make better films to get more back per person 
Of course chances are they'd respond by doing a slew of films about family and having lots of babies
Of course chances are they'd respond by doing a slew of films about family and having lots of babies
I know that Hollywood has become dependent on producing movies that I have no desire to see. In the past twelve months I think I have (to the best of my recall) gone to a move theater exactly once, and that was because my daughter paid for me to go along on a family outing.
I don't mind that all these blockbuster movies exist and so many people are enjoying them. That's a good thing. I just wish that Hollywood would spread the pleasure around more and not put zillions of dollars into a few films instead of sparing a few millions here and there for more variety.
I don't mind that all these blockbuster movies exist and so many people are enjoying them. That's a good thing. I just wish that Hollywood would spread the pleasure around more and not put zillions of dollars into a few films instead of sparing a few millions here and there for more variety.
They like to play it safe when it come to the types of films they do. They prefer known commodities when it comes to movies.
Cathbad
Level 30 Geek Master
They're too chicken to try new things.
One way they could take risks and do something new only limit the budge to 20 million or less. If it fails , they can still make back their money on dvd sales. It if the film makes alot of money, then they get to keep most of the profit and maybe get a potential franchise. It's a win win situation for the studio.
