Hollywood is Dead: The Future of Cinema is in the Streets
By Features Desk
Tuesday,
January 30, 2018.
Dreams of Hollywood are dead.
Honestly, who would want to be there anymore, anyway? Instead, the time is
now to follow the footsteps of the indie filmmakers who focus on story over
style. The time for those who focus on exposing the word for what it is instead
of relying on nepotism, buddy’s doing favors for others, and creating cinema
for the mere goal of making money.
The world
has lost faith in the blockbusters of the past. Popcorn flicks are derided but
don’t look like they will be going anywhere anytime soon. We want to be
intellectually and emotionally stimulated. We want to laugh and cry and feel.
We’re also sick of paying extortionate ticket prices for something that may or
may not leave us satisfied.
Of
course, it could be argued that it is to each their own. Sometimes people want
to stare at a screen and be spoon fed the drama, the nuance, the themes – if
there are any. The #MeToo movement has inspired people to speak out against
actions that have been tolerated for too long, and as a result, we see legacies
dying.
But maybe
not for black cinema. Black Panther, for all the dangers of Marvel slowly
becoming just another blockbuster franchise, is hitting theatres this year, The
Lion King is being remade with an all-African cast, for the most part.
Embracing the history of black cinema is a step in the right direction, and sets the
industry up well for the coming years.
But if
you want to be part of this movement, be part of this shift from explosions and
forced romance, how does one achieve it? Freelancing as a cameraman, sound
technician, or even scriptwriter is an option, but the market is so saturated
that you are competing with a hundred people just like you who want the same
thing.
In the
UK, there are companies dedicated to helping aspiring filmmakers tell their
story and get their foot in the door and keep it wedged open for all. Some of the
best film companies in Manchester will allow budding
cinematographers achieve their dream in hopes of shifting the focus from
Michael Bay-inspired hackery and instead focusing on the stories people have
to tell.
And
everyone has a story to tell. Everyone carries around their own camera and
notepad to film and plot. Platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat, despite its
recent failings, have given people the opportunity to tell their stories, quite
literally. It is an evolution of storytelling. Normal people, doing normal
things that get view after view after view. It may not make them money just
yet, but it brings exposure, nonetheless.
Furthermore,
programs that
provide
opportunities for young filmmakers. This is nothing new, but the rising
dissatisfaction with mainstream cinema is inspiring people to do better. They
may be ignored, and they may have to bite the bullet at some point, but it
isn’t about money, it’s about sending a message.
Indie
cinema, grassroots programs, and a community of like-minded individuals seeking
and striving for change is the approach that is needed. You can complain and
lament all you want about the death of culture, but with the opportunities
available in the modern age, there is no excuse for not doing. The only thing
holding you back is yourself.
