L. Katherine Kaidan A37716507 IAH 201 Section 9 Hollywood has produced films that have been international sensations for many years. But even though films made in the United States are popular worldwide, international views as United States citizens themselves are not as respected as the movies. Are the movies produced in Hollywood giving Americans a bad image? Should it be Hollywood's responsibility to portray the United States in a positive image because of the broad audience they attract? And if Hollywood wants to create a positive image for the United States, should they target all moviegoers? Or should they just focus on one target audience? Although movies produced in Hollywood have a large viewing audience globally, it is not necessarily their responsibility to promote a positive image of the United States. In the past ten years, the majority of movies that have come out of Hollywood are based on already written books, Broadway musicals, corresponding to a pre-existing series, or are purely meant to be fantasy. Most of the films already have an audience that have seen the play or have read the book and expect the movie to be as similar as possible to the original storyline. Hollywood producers and directors will lose the existing audience that was drawn to the original if they changed up the storyline too much. Almost all movies that are produced in Hollywood, with the exception of a documentary or movies based on a real life event, are purely meant to be fictional. It is unrealistic that movies such as ones produced by Michael Bay, who
implements a lot of special effects and large explosions into the movies, are things that would happen on a daily basis. And because most action movies do take place in major cities, with the events that happen in the movies the cities would be in ruins as opposed to what they are now. People do not drive cars into propane tanks and into other vehicles causing massive explosions that would not be possible from the amount of gas each car holds, even if the tanks are full. When Americans watch these movies, they are aware that these are events that are improbable, and events in reality that are related, are not to the severe extent movies make it. Why would we think that people from other countries believe that these things actually happen? They are normal people just like us, and are not ignorant and nave enough to believe purposely-fictional storylines. Even some documentaries and movies based on events that actually happened may portray an image that shows the ugly side of mentally ill people that just so happen to be American. These movies could also facilitate the idea that the Unites States is a dangerous place, filled with unstable people that go on killing sprees. But the United States is not the only country that has had seemingly unreal tragic events happen to them. And because these incidents happen very rarely, they create a curiosity and persistence to want to know more. Stories like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre have had several movies made about it, the most recent having an over exertion of the blood and gore. This could lead to the wrong perception of what actually happened, but producers know that scarier, gorier, and more action packed films will sell better than those
that are not. This is common knowledge with every production company, not just Hollywood. So Hollywood is not the only producer of movies that uses this technique to attract a larger audience. In a broadcasted debated in 2006 whether of or not Hollywood is aiding to the spread of anti-Americanism, Roger Kimball argues, "By making so many trashy movies, Hollywood fosters a view of American life that is really at odds with the reality of American society. It shows that this society is largely sex obsessed, and violent obsessed." While Hollywood movies do portray that image of American culture, it is not far from the truth. Americans do enjoy seeing violence that does not involve themselves or any loves ones, and enjoy being stimulated in a sexual manner whether it comes to movies, music, or advertising. The urban term "Rubber Necker" evolved defining "a person who interrupts what they are doing just look at what is happening to someone else. The other incident or event usually has nothing to do with the Rubber Necker, but due to curiosity these Rubber Neckers have to interrupt (sometimes stops) what they are doing to look at the other event." (Urban Dictionary 2003) "Although no one wants to admit it, people are infatuated with seeing the suffering of others not associated to them. It actually makes people feel better about themselves knowing that they are not undergoing the hardships those involved with the accident are." (Jennifer Brown, Psychologist) And in the advertising world, sex appeal is what gets products to sell. Having an attractive model or celebrity wearing little to no clothing will catch consumers attention, most likely make
them remember the brand because of the attractive person selling it. They will also most likely buy it because subconsciously people believe that if they use the same product as the model or the celebrity, it will make them attractive as well. It is just in human nature to enjoy having sexual intercourse and seeing sexually related actions. It gives a certain stimulation and release that very few other activities provide. It is not just Americans that enjoy engaging in sexual act, people of all cultures and countries do. Throughout the entire world, the United States is fourth on the list of revenues spent adult entertainment movies, trailing behind China who is first, South Korea in second, and Japan in third. And the UK, Canada, and Italy are not too far behind in amount of money spent. (TopTenReviews.com) Even though Hollywood-produced movies are viewed all over the world, it is not their responsibility to promote a good image. Hollywood is a business first and foremost and, like all businesses, has making profit a top priority. Therefore, abstract things like image or tastefulness usually take a backseat to making money. Therein lies the only responsibility of Hollywood, which is to be successful. Sex and violence can be seen in any medium of entertainment, as well as art. Unless all producers of art or entertainment are held to the same standard, Hollywood cannot and should not be held responsible for the image of the United States.
List of Works Cited
Brown, Jennifer Teacher of psychology, West Morris Mendham High School, Mendham, NJ Ropelato, Jerry "Internet Pornography Statistics Copyright 2003 2008, accessed March 27th, 2008 http://internet-filter-review.toptenreviews.com/internet-pornographystatistics.html http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=rubber+necker Wellemeyer, Johnathan "Hollywood and the Spread of Anti-Americanism" December 6th, 2006, accessed March 27th, 2008- quoting Roger Kimball http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6625002