It occurred to me that there's a lot of negative things being said about the media these days and that I may have been guilty of saying some of these things myself. I think it's important to make something perfectly clear. I love radio and TV. I've toiled in the fields of broadcasting my whole life. I've raised a family thanks to the opportunities that I've had in this business.
If you're new to broadcasting, it must be discouraging to read some of the things that have been written recently; how the conglomerates are consolidating and homogenizing the industry, how traditional broadcasting companies seem to be making creative mistake after creative mistake all in the name of short term profit, how new media is poised to clean traditional media's clock. Well let me tell you that all is not doom and gloom. Much of what is written won't happen and what does happen might actually make traditional media stronger.
We're a business that loves drama. I'm not talking just about TV. Radio is a giant soap opera...trust me. There's always some behind the scenes melodrama going on...even at the smallest station. It's the nature of beast. At every station along my career path, there has been gossip and speculation...be it WKFD in little old Wickford RI or the legendary WCBS-FM in New York City. Read some of the trade magazine and Internet sites. They exist on rumor and side stories...many of which never come to fruition.
If you're new to the business let me reassure you that there has never been a more exciting time to be joining our ranks. Things are good and getting better. If some of my industry articles seem pessimistic then I apologize. Those of us who have been in the business a long time have a tendency to look at situations from a different perspective and sometimes it's a narrow one.
The industry is as it's always been and that's just fine with me.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
An Open Note To Those New To Our Ranks...
It occurred to me that there's a lot of negative things being said about the media these days and that I may have been guilty of saying some of these things myself. I think it's important to make something perfectly clear. I love radio and TV. I've toiled in the fields of broadcasting my whole life. I've raised a family thanks to the opportunities that I've had in this business.
If you're new to broadcasting, it must be discouraging to read some of the things that have been written recently; how the conglomerates are consolidating and homogenizing the industry, how traditional broadcasting companies seem to be making creative mistake after creative mistake all in the name of short term profit, how new media is poised to clean traditional media's clock. Well let me tell you that all is not doom and gloom. Much of what is written won't happen and what does happen might actually make traditional media stronger.
We're a business that loves drama. I'm not talking just about TV. Radio is a giant soap opera...trust me. There's always some behind the scenes melodrama going on...even at the smallest station. It's the nature of beast. At every station along my career path, there has been gossip and speculation...be it WKFD in little old Wickford RI or the legendary WCBS-FM in New York City. Read some of the trade magazine and Internet sites. They exist on rumor and side stories...many of which never come to fruition.
If you're new to the business let me reassure you that there has never been a more exciting time to be joining our ranks. Things are good and getting better. If some of my industry articles seem pessimistic then I apologize. Those of us who have been in the business a long time have a tendency to look at situations from a different perspective and sometimes it's a narrow one.
The industry is as it's always been and that's just fine with me.
If you're new to broadcasting, it must be discouraging to read some of the things that have been written recently; how the conglomerates are consolidating and homogenizing the industry, how traditional broadcasting companies seem to be making creative mistake after creative mistake all in the name of short term profit, how new media is poised to clean traditional media's clock. Well let me tell you that all is not doom and gloom. Much of what is written won't happen and what does happen might actually make traditional media stronger.
We're a business that loves drama. I'm not talking just about TV. Radio is a giant soap opera...trust me. There's always some behind the scenes melodrama going on...even at the smallest station. It's the nature of beast. At every station along my career path, there has been gossip and speculation...be it WKFD in little old Wickford RI or the legendary WCBS-FM in New York City. Read some of the trade magazine and Internet sites. They exist on rumor and side stories...many of which never come to fruition.
If you're new to the business let me reassure you that there has never been a more exciting time to be joining our ranks. Things are good and getting better. If some of my industry articles seem pessimistic then I apologize. Those of us who have been in the business a long time have a tendency to look at situations from a different perspective and sometimes it's a narrow one.
The industry is as it's always been and that's just fine with me.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
An Open Note To Those New To Our Ranks...
It occurred to me that there's a lot of negative things being said about the media these days and that I may have been guilty of saying some of these things myself. I think it's important to make something perfectly clear. I love radio and TV. I've toiled in the fields of broadcasting my whole life. I've raised a family thanks to the opportunities that I've had in this business.
If you're new to broadcasting, it must be discouraging to read some of the things that have been written recently; how the conglomerates are consolidating and homogenizing the industry, how traditional broadcasting companies seem to be making creative mistake after creative mistake all in the name of short term profit, how new media is poised to clean traditional media's clock. Well let me tell you that all is not doom and gloom. Much of what is written won't happen and what does happen might actually make traditional media stronger.
We're a business that loves drama. I'm not talking just about TV. Radio is a giant soap opera...trust me. There's always some behind the scenes melodrama going on...even at the smallest station. It's the nature of beast. At every station along my career path, there has been gossip and speculation...be it WKFD in little old Wickford RI or the legendary WCBS-FM in New York City. Read some of the trade magazine and Internet sites. They exist on rumor and side stories...many of which never come to fruition.
If you're new to the business let me reassure you that there has never been a more exciting time to be joining our ranks. Things are good and getting better. If some of my industry articles seem pessimistic then I apologize. Those of us who have been in the business a long time have a tendency to look at situations from a different perspective and sometimes it's a narrow one.
The industry is as it's always been and that's just fine with me.
If you're new to broadcasting, it must be discouraging to read some of the things that have been written recently; how the conglomerates are consolidating and homogenizing the industry, how traditional broadcasting companies seem to be making creative mistake after creative mistake all in the name of short term profit, how new media is poised to clean traditional media's clock. Well let me tell you that all is not doom and gloom. Much of what is written won't happen and what does happen might actually make traditional media stronger.
We're a business that loves drama. I'm not talking just about TV. Radio is a giant soap opera...trust me. There's always some behind the scenes melodrama going on...even at the smallest station. It's the nature of beast. At every station along my career path, there has been gossip and speculation...be it WKFD in little old Wickford RI or the legendary WCBS-FM in New York City. Read some of the trade magazine and Internet sites. They exist on rumor and side stories...many of which never come to fruition.
If you're new to the business let me reassure you that there has never been a more exciting time to be joining our ranks. Things are good and getting better. If some of my industry articles seem pessimistic then I apologize. Those of us who have been in the business a long time have a tendency to look at situations from a different perspective and sometimes it's a narrow one.
The industry is as it's always been and that's just fine with me.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
The Clock Is Ticking
I just learned that a station in Texas has decided that the answer to declining listenership is to play more music and no commercials. That's right...more music and NO COMMERCIALS! You've gotta love these people. Let's see...more music. Hmmm. They think that's a NEW idea? Didn't Bill Drake design his jingle package around those two words in 1968?
When will they ever realize that the thing that they've eliminated is personality? Today's music stations have no soul...and I don't mean Motown. And the announcers that they do have on the air sound unprofessional...juvenile....prepubescent. Why would up, professional jocks, with balls (I'm sorry but there's no better way to describe it.), playing the hits, work 'way back when' and not today? Of course they would. It's just that they might cost a few bucks and many of today's radio execs are more concerned with short term gain than long term profit.
Once talent was an important part of a station....management valued their air people and they were treated with dignity. The new breed of radio management believes that they are the most expendable part of their stations. Boy have they screwed things up.
Guys...people can get MORE MUSIC on their Ipods. They can crank out the hits faster than you can program your Prophet. And they're not stupid. They know that when you say no commercials you really mean camouflaged commercials. They know you're a for profit business and they understand how you make your money.
For crying out loud, look around you. You have given your audience a reason to look elsewhere. There's NOTHING unique on your stations. When I got into the business, jocks were important. Afternoon drive was as crucial as morning drive. Now...not so much. You have got to return personality to radio. Again...it's the thing that you can give your listeners that they won't get anywhere else. I really believe that if you don't, the downward slide will continue and you will reach a point when it is too late. The clock is ticking.
When will they ever realize that the thing that they've eliminated is personality? Today's music stations have no soul...and I don't mean Motown. And the announcers that they do have on the air sound unprofessional...juvenile....prepubescent. Why would up, professional jocks, with balls (I'm sorry but there's no better way to describe it.), playing the hits, work 'way back when' and not today? Of course they would. It's just that they might cost a few bucks and many of today's radio execs are more concerned with short term gain than long term profit.
Once talent was an important part of a station....management valued their air people and they were treated with dignity. The new breed of radio management believes that they are the most expendable part of their stations. Boy have they screwed things up.
Guys...people can get MORE MUSIC on their Ipods. They can crank out the hits faster than you can program your Prophet. And they're not stupid. They know that when you say no commercials you really mean camouflaged commercials. They know you're a for profit business and they understand how you make your money.
For crying out loud, look around you. You have given your audience a reason to look elsewhere. There's NOTHING unique on your stations. When I got into the business, jocks were important. Afternoon drive was as crucial as morning drive. Now...not so much. You have got to return personality to radio. Again...it's the thing that you can give your listeners that they won't get anywhere else. I really believe that if you don't, the downward slide will continue and you will reach a point when it is too late. The clock is ticking.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
The Clock Is Ticking
I just learned that a station in Texas has decided that the answer to declining listenership is to play more music and no commercials. That's right...more music and NO COMMERCIALS! You've gotta love these people. Let's see...more music. Hmmm. They think that's a NEW idea? Didn't Bill Drake design his jingle package around those two words in 1968?
When will they ever realize that the thing that they've eliminated is personality? Today's music stations have no soul...and I don't mean Motown. And the announcers that they do have on the air sound unprofessional...juvenile....prepubescent. Why would up, professional jocks, with balls (I'm sorry but there's no better way to describe it.), playing the hits, work 'way back when' and not today? Of course they would. It's just that they might cost a few bucks and many of today's radio execs are more concerned with short term gain than long term profit.
Once talent was an important part of a station....management valued their air people and they were treated with dignity. The new breed of radio management believes that they are the most expendable part of their stations. Boy have they screwed things up.
Guys...people can get MORE MUSIC on their Ipods. They can crank out the hits faster than you can program your Prophet. And they're not stupid. They know that when you say no commercials you really mean camouflaged commercials. They know you're a for profit business and they understand how you make your money.
For crying out loud, look around you. You have given your audience a reason to look elsewhere. There's NOTHING unique on your stations. When I got into the business, jocks were important. Afternoon drive was as crucial as morning drive. Now...not so much. You have got to return personality to radio. Again...it's the thing that you can give your listeners that they won't get anywhere else. I really believe that if you don't, the downward slide will continue and you will reach a point when it is too late. The clock is ticking.
When will they ever realize that the thing that they've eliminated is personality? Today's music stations have no soul...and I don't mean Motown. And the announcers that they do have on the air sound unprofessional...juvenile....prepubescent. Why would up, professional jocks, with balls (I'm sorry but there's no better way to describe it.), playing the hits, work 'way back when' and not today? Of course they would. It's just that they might cost a few bucks and many of today's radio execs are more concerned with short term gain than long term profit.
Once talent was an important part of a station....management valued their air people and they were treated with dignity. The new breed of radio management believes that they are the most expendable part of their stations. Boy have they screwed things up.
Guys...people can get MORE MUSIC on their Ipods. They can crank out the hits faster than you can program your Prophet. And they're not stupid. They know that when you say no commercials you really mean camouflaged commercials. They know you're a for profit business and they understand how you make your money.
For crying out loud, look around you. You have given your audience a reason to look elsewhere. There's NOTHING unique on your stations. When I got into the business, jocks were important. Afternoon drive was as crucial as morning drive. Now...not so much. You have got to return personality to radio. Again...it's the thing that you can give your listeners that they won't get anywhere else. I really believe that if you don't, the downward slide will continue and you will reach a point when it is too late. The clock is ticking.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Another Year Older...and Wiser
Well...today was my birthday. I was...well...another year older. When you reach my age you stop counting the years. I don't feel much different than I did when I was younger but the strange thing is, I see my grandfather in the mirror every morning! Isn't that weird? Wouldn't it be better if we were born brilliant and became dumber as we aged? I mean, being young, mature and smart would make more sense to me. The way things are now, we're smartest when we're the weakest! And we don't seem to value smart older people in this society. In China, there is a great reverence for that segment of their population. In the US...they hope that you'll move to 'The Villages' ASAP.
The smartest man I ever met was my late dad. He was one of these people who was intellectually gifted all of his life...straight A's in high school...Phi Beta Kappa from Brown...honors from Boston University Law... the list goes on and on. But I think he was the wisest towards the end of his life. Even after he became sick and his once strong body diminished, we could sit and discuss things like the American Civil War and he would amaze me with his knowledge. His brilliance, in his later years, was awe inspiring. Yet, if he wasn't a successful attorney, with his own practice, odds are he would have had a hard time finding a job in the USA today.
We are a fast food society. We gobble things up and discard our waste. If we have to wait longer than five minute for our service, we become impatient. We're bombarded with commercials that glorify youth. Few people on television are bald, overweight and old. Most are young, firm and under forty. And, as a country, this national attitude is hurting us. One of our greatest resources is our wisdom and intelligence. We acquire this as we age, yet we turn our back on our elders. Everything isn't solved with a computer. All answers aren't digital. Some of our greatest problems require thought and life experience. As a society we have to slow down and think. And we have to use our collective intellect...young and old. I'm afraid that we'll become a second rate country if we don't.
Hey...it's just an opinion from someone who, today became one year older. Now I'm off for a slice of that birthday cake.
The smartest man I ever met was my late dad. He was one of these people who was intellectually gifted all of his life...straight A's in high school...Phi Beta Kappa from Brown...honors from Boston University Law... the list goes on and on. But I think he was the wisest towards the end of his life. Even after he became sick and his once strong body diminished, we could sit and discuss things like the American Civil War and he would amaze me with his knowledge. His brilliance, in his later years, was awe inspiring. Yet, if he wasn't a successful attorney, with his own practice, odds are he would have had a hard time finding a job in the USA today.
We are a fast food society. We gobble things up and discard our waste. If we have to wait longer than five minute for our service, we become impatient. We're bombarded with commercials that glorify youth. Few people on television are bald, overweight and old. Most are young, firm and under forty. And, as a country, this national attitude is hurting us. One of our greatest resources is our wisdom and intelligence. We acquire this as we age, yet we turn our back on our elders. Everything isn't solved with a computer. All answers aren't digital. Some of our greatest problems require thought and life experience. As a society we have to slow down and think. And we have to use our collective intellect...young and old. I'm afraid that we'll become a second rate country if we don't.
Hey...it's just an opinion from someone who, today became one year older. Now I'm off for a slice of that birthday cake.
Monday, April 16, 2007
What's Happened to Radio?
There was a time, not too long ago, when creativity was encouraged; when programming ingenuity was valued. It was a time when there was a balance between sales and programming. Radio air talent were admired for their originality. I can assure you that that time has passed. These days radio stations are run like fast food franchises. Air talent are considered a necessary nuisance and their numbers are kept to a minimum.
Now the upper echelon of the industry are wondering what is happening to the business? Audiences are shrinking! Why? Maybe it's because, for at least a decade, radio has ignored the 'product'. Back in 'the day' cutting edge programming was essential...now it's hard to find. Conglomerates have homogenized the system and curtailed creative growth. Once there were places where fresh young talent could go to make their mistakes, hone their skills and move on. Once there was a time when struggling stations took creative chances.
Radio has lost a lot of it's 'fire' and it sounds like it. Back in the seventies, when I had the good fortune to work at great stations such as WDRC, WBZ and WCBS-FM, the industry was 'alive' with new ideas. Stations took pride in the 'product'. Today the environment is different and radio has no one to blame but itself.
Back in the fifties, radio blamed TV for an industry wide depression. It's doing the same thing today when it points the finger at New Media. Trust me, New Media isn't the culprit. If you must blame someone then blame ownership or radio's high level decision makers. They've eliminated air staff and cut back on the product for years. They underestimated their audience; figuring that the listeners would settle for what they give them and never catch on. Local programming became bland and predictable.
Imagine, if you will, a car company that is run by people who don't know what it takes to actually make a car; run by a management team top heavy with sales types and lacking in automotive engineers. Chrysler was that way, and it almost disappeared from the automotive landscape, until a former engineer named Lee Iaccoca took control of the company. Japan made it's biggest inroads in the US car market during the eighties when General Motors was more concerned with quantity than quality; more interested in sales than service. All Honda, Toyota and Nissan had to do was fill that void. New Media is giving listeners creative programming options. It's a hard thing to have to say but there are very few truly creative people in radio today. Most programmers follow the tail of some other programmer who, in turn follows the tail of the programmer in front of him. An original thought or idea is a rare thing in today's radio.
The good news is that radio woke up back in the late fifties and early sixties; it rolled up its sleeves and went to work and by the mid-sixties it was in the midst of the 'second' golden age of radio. It can do it again, but has to think outside of its very limited box; it has to stop thinking like bankers and get back to thinking like 'creative' broadcasters.
Now the upper echelon of the industry are wondering what is happening to the business? Audiences are shrinking! Why? Maybe it's because, for at least a decade, radio has ignored the 'product'. Back in 'the day' cutting edge programming was essential...now it's hard to find. Conglomerates have homogenized the system and curtailed creative growth. Once there were places where fresh young talent could go to make their mistakes, hone their skills and move on. Once there was a time when struggling stations took creative chances.
Radio has lost a lot of it's 'fire' and it sounds like it. Back in the seventies, when I had the good fortune to work at great stations such as WDRC, WBZ and WCBS-FM, the industry was 'alive' with new ideas. Stations took pride in the 'product'. Today the environment is different and radio has no one to blame but itself.
Back in the fifties, radio blamed TV for an industry wide depression. It's doing the same thing today when it points the finger at New Media. Trust me, New Media isn't the culprit. If you must blame someone then blame ownership or radio's high level decision makers. They've eliminated air staff and cut back on the product for years. They underestimated their audience; figuring that the listeners would settle for what they give them and never catch on. Local programming became bland and predictable.
Imagine, if you will, a car company that is run by people who don't know what it takes to actually make a car; run by a management team top heavy with sales types and lacking in automotive engineers. Chrysler was that way, and it almost disappeared from the automotive landscape, until a former engineer named Lee Iaccoca took control of the company. Japan made it's biggest inroads in the US car market during the eighties when General Motors was more concerned with quantity than quality; more interested in sales than service. All Honda, Toyota and Nissan had to do was fill that void. New Media is giving listeners creative programming options. It's a hard thing to have to say but there are very few truly creative people in radio today. Most programmers follow the tail of some other programmer who, in turn follows the tail of the programmer in front of him. An original thought or idea is a rare thing in today's radio.
The good news is that radio woke up back in the late fifties and early sixties; it rolled up its sleeves and went to work and by the mid-sixties it was in the midst of the 'second' golden age of radio. It can do it again, but has to think outside of its very limited box; it has to stop thinking like bankers and get back to thinking like 'creative' broadcasters.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Hey radio...'carpe diem'!
Have you noticed that there's a lot of talk about new media versus traditional media? It's causing some consternation in the radio business. Let's face it, many people simply don't know what to make of this thing called 'new media'. It's an interloper; an uninvited guest at the media table. First it was ignored; maybe it would go away. Then there was a rudimentary acknowledgment; stations started building simple, almost obligatory websites (some were pretty bad...some still are), now...many think that they've 'arrived' because they're streaming their station. I think they're kidding themselves.
Why is new media so attractive?
Why has it become the golden boy of the marketing industry?
I think it's because it gives the user the feeling that they're getting something valuable for free. Of course it's an illusion but a well executed one? Look at Google...what a story they have to tell. That company has truly partnered with their patrons. Every time you go to their search engine you feel like they're giving you something; be it quick and easy answers, information at you fingertips, marketing opportunities and even powerful free software. The average Joe is so enamored with Google, the brand name has become a part of our lexicon...like Kleenex. How many times have you heard someone say..."Well then why don't you 'Google' it and see what you find"?
But wait...they're a company...they're worth billions...how can they give away all of this 'free' stuff? Like I said before...it's an illusion. Google is one gigantic advertising machine. There are paid announcements all over their site. And the good thing about the Internet is that they get paid up front. They've got your credit card and you've given then authorization to charge their fees to that piece of plastic. There's no waiting thirty to ninety days for their money. Their cash flow is excellent.
So what is radio to do? How does it compete against this attractive newcomer? You don't fight it...you embrace it. It's not an adversary, it's an opportunity. You can incorporate and blend the two medias. Instead of your station's website being an afterthought, it can be an integral part of your operation. And make it immediate and alive, just like your radio station. Include cross-promotional contests; sometimes they can win by going to your site and other times to the station. Make your radio clients want to be a part of your web presence. Give your listeners a chance to download, for free, certain station promotions and features; work out a licensing deal with a software company and give it away on your site. Stick a camera in your studio and 'and make your talent TV stars'.
And don't charge 'club' membership fees. Maybe certain programs and personalities can get away with this, but you want to make it as easy as possible for your listeners to access and use your site...fees are an obstacle and a turn-0ff. However, make it attractive for advertisers and potential advertisers to use their credit cards to buy advertising packages and opportunities online; get in on some of that instant cash flow. Right now you make your money by having your salespeople market advertising opportunities on the air; you can do the same here. And you can track your growth almost instantly; the more people who visit your website, the more you can charge.
Hey radio...'carpe diem'! 'Seize the day!' You have a terrific opportunity here.
Why is new media so attractive?
Why has it become the golden boy of the marketing industry?
I think it's because it gives the user the feeling that they're getting something valuable for free. Of course it's an illusion but a well executed one? Look at Google...what a story they have to tell. That company has truly partnered with their patrons. Every time you go to their search engine you feel like they're giving you something; be it quick and easy answers, information at you fingertips, marketing opportunities and even powerful free software. The average Joe is so enamored with Google, the brand name has become a part of our lexicon...like Kleenex. How many times have you heard someone say..."Well then why don't you 'Google' it and see what you find"?
But wait...they're a company...they're worth billions...how can they give away all of this 'free' stuff? Like I said before...it's an illusion. Google is one gigantic advertising machine. There are paid announcements all over their site. And the good thing about the Internet is that they get paid up front. They've got your credit card and you've given then authorization to charge their fees to that piece of plastic. There's no waiting thirty to ninety days for their money. Their cash flow is excellent.
So what is radio to do? How does it compete against this attractive newcomer? You don't fight it...you embrace it. It's not an adversary, it's an opportunity. You can incorporate and blend the two medias. Instead of your station's website being an afterthought, it can be an integral part of your operation. And make it immediate and alive, just like your radio station. Include cross-promotional contests; sometimes they can win by going to your site and other times to the station. Make your radio clients want to be a part of your web presence. Give your listeners a chance to download, for free, certain station promotions and features; work out a licensing deal with a software company and give it away on your site. Stick a camera in your studio and 'and make your talent TV stars'.
And don't charge 'club' membership fees. Maybe certain programs and personalities can get away with this, but you want to make it as easy as possible for your listeners to access and use your site...fees are an obstacle and a turn-0ff. However, make it attractive for advertisers and potential advertisers to use their credit cards to buy advertising packages and opportunities online; get in on some of that instant cash flow. Right now you make your money by having your salespeople market advertising opportunities on the air; you can do the same here. And you can track your growth almost instantly; the more people who visit your website, the more you can charge.
Hey radio...'carpe diem'! 'Seize the day!' You have a terrific opportunity here.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Hooray for Hollywood? I Don't Think So...
This past weekend I saw the much touted film '300'. Without going into detail, it was probably the bloodiest, most violent film that I've ever seen. They were stacking bloody body on top of bloody body...literally. After the second or third head decapitation, we became numb to the act. Spearing...and twisting...and wrenching...well that was run of the mill. It was supposedly based on the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 B.C.. But there were monsters and gods and elephants..oh my!! I mean...were there monsters back in 480 B.C.? I don't think so.
It was a movie designed to showcase gore...and I don't mean Al. Was there any redeeming value to the story? Not really. It was typical of what Hollywood is throwing at audiences these days. They toss great stories and green light scripts about guys who wear masks and run around with chainsaws, slicing and dissecting the neighbors. Every once and a while they slip and release a great story...but those slips are becoming fewer and fewer.
Hollywood used to make films like The Sound of Music and Grease. They made Gone With the Wind and Rebecca. What has happened? Why market to the lowest common denominator? Because that's where the money is. There is no thought of moral responsibility. I don't think that they have any.
There was a time in my life when I dreamed of being a film director. I wanted to be the next Robert Wise, Frank Capra or John Ford. I couldn't help but wonder what those great artists would have thought about the Hollywood of 2007. What would they have thought about the overt violence and sexuality? I think that they would have been surprised and saddened. They created great movies. They moved the camera and the story like the masters that they were. They generated sexuality without dropping a skirt or removing a bra. They could get more out a of a scene with a look or a gesture. Today...nothing is left to the imagination...NOTHING. And that doesn't speak well for the Hollywood Imagineers
If I could tell young film goers anything...I'd probably suggest that they go rent a Frank Capra, John Ford, Victor Fleming or Alfred Hitchcock film...and if they don't know who they are then Google them. They'll see what Hollywood once did...but may never do again. And that's sad.
It was a movie designed to showcase gore...and I don't mean Al. Was there any redeeming value to the story? Not really. It was typical of what Hollywood is throwing at audiences these days. They toss great stories and green light scripts about guys who wear masks and run around with chainsaws, slicing and dissecting the neighbors. Every once and a while they slip and release a great story...but those slips are becoming fewer and fewer.
Hollywood used to make films like The Sound of Music and Grease. They made Gone With the Wind and Rebecca. What has happened? Why market to the lowest common denominator? Because that's where the money is. There is no thought of moral responsibility. I don't think that they have any.
There was a time in my life when I dreamed of being a film director. I wanted to be the next Robert Wise, Frank Capra or John Ford. I couldn't help but wonder what those great artists would have thought about the Hollywood of 2007. What would they have thought about the overt violence and sexuality? I think that they would have been surprised and saddened. They created great movies. They moved the camera and the story like the masters that they were. They generated sexuality without dropping a skirt or removing a bra. They could get more out a of a scene with a look or a gesture. Today...nothing is left to the imagination...NOTHING. And that doesn't speak well for the Hollywood Imagineers
If I could tell young film goers anything...I'd probably suggest that they go rent a Frank Capra, John Ford, Victor Fleming or Alfred Hitchcock film...and if they don't know who they are then Google them. They'll see what Hollywood once did...but may never do again. And that's sad.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Hooray for Hollywood? I Don't Think So...
This past weekend I saw the much touted film '300'. Without going into detail, it was probably the bloodiest, most violent film that I've ever seen. They were stacking bloody body on top of bloody body...literally. After the second or third head decapitation, we became numb to the act. Spearing...and twisting...and wrenching...well that was run of the mill. It was supposedly based on the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 B.C.. But there were monsters and gods and elephants..oh my!! I mean...were there monsters back in 480 B.C.? I don't think so.
It was a movie designed to showcase gore...and I don't mean Al. Was there any redeeming value to the story? Not really. It was typical of what Hollywood is throwing at audiences these days. They toss great stories and green light scripts about guys who wear masks and run around with chainsaws, slicing and dissecting the neighbors. Every once and a while they slip and release a great story...but those slips are becoming fewer and fewer.
Hollywood used to make films like The Sound of Music and Grease. They made Gone With the Wind and Rebecca. What has happened? Why market to the lowest common denominator? Because that's where the money is. There is no thought of moral responsibility. I don't think that they have any.
There was a time in my life when I dreamed of being a film director. I wanted to be the next Robert Wise, Frank Capra or John Ford. I couldn't help but wonder what those great artists would have thought about the Hollywood of 2007. What would they have thought about the overt violence and sexuality? I think that they would have been surprised and saddened. They created great movies. They moved the camera and the story like the masters that they were. They generated sexuality without dropping a skirt or removing a bra. They could get more out a of a scene with a look or a gesture. Today...nothing is left to the imagination...NOTHING. And that doesn't speak well for the Hollywood Imagineers
If I could tell young film goers anything...I'd probably suggest that they go rent a Frank Capra, John Ford, Victor Fleming or Alfred Hitchcock film...and if they don't know who they are then Google them. They'll see what Hollywood once did...but may never do again. And that's sad.
It was a movie designed to showcase gore...and I don't mean Al. Was there any redeeming value to the story? Not really. It was typical of what Hollywood is throwing at audiences these days. They toss great stories and green light scripts about guys who wear masks and run around with chainsaws, slicing and dissecting the neighbors. Every once and a while they slip and release a great story...but those slips are becoming fewer and fewer.
Hollywood used to make films like The Sound of Music and Grease. They made Gone With the Wind and Rebecca. What has happened? Why market to the lowest common denominator? Because that's where the money is. There is no thought of moral responsibility. I don't think that they have any.
There was a time in my life when I dreamed of being a film director. I wanted to be the next Robert Wise, Frank Capra or John Ford. I couldn't help but wonder what those great artists would have thought about the Hollywood of 2007. What would they have thought about the overt violence and sexuality? I think that they would have been surprised and saddened. They created great movies. They moved the camera and the story like the masters that they were. They generated sexuality without dropping a skirt or removing a bra. They could get more out a of a scene with a look or a gesture. Today...nothing is left to the imagination...NOTHING. And that doesn't speak well for the Hollywood Imagineers
If I could tell young film goers anything...I'd probably suggest that they go rent a Frank Capra, John Ford, Victor Fleming or Alfred Hitchcock film...and if they don't know who they are then Google them. They'll see what Hollywood once did...but may never do again. And that's sad.
Monday, April 2, 2007
Hooray for Hollywood? I Don't Think So...
This past weekend I saw the much touted film '300'. Without going into detail, it was probably the bloodiest, most violent film that I've ever seen. They were stacking bloody body on top of bloody body...literally. After the second or third head decapitation, we became numb to the act. Spearing...and twisting...and wrenching...well that was run of the mill. It was supposedly based on the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 B.C.. But there were monsters and gods and elephants..oh my!! I mean...were there monsters back in 480 B.C.? I don't think so.
It was a movie designed to showcase gore...and I don't mean Al. Was there any redeeming value to the story? Not really. It was typical of what Hollywood is throwing at audiences these days. They toss great stories and green light scripts about guys who wear masks and run around with chainsaws, slicing and dissecting the neighbors. Every once and a while they slip and release a great story...but those slips are becoming fewer and fewer.
Hollywood used to make films like The Sound of Music and Grease. They made Gone With the Wind and Rebecca. What has happened? Why market to the lowest common denominator? Because that's where the money is. There is no thought of moral responsibility. I don't think that they have any.
There was a time in my life when I dreamed of being a film director. I wanted to be the next Robert Wise, Frank Capra or John Ford. I couldn't help but wonder what those great artists would have thought about the Hollywood of 2007. What would they have thought about the overt violence and sexuality? I think that they would have been surprised and saddened. They created great movies. They moved the camera and the story like the masters that they were. They generated sexuality without dropping a skirt or removing a bra. They could get more out a of a scene with a look or a gesture. Today...nothing is left to the imagination...NOTHING. And that doesn't speak well for the Hollywood Imagineers
If I could tell young film goers anything...I'd probably suggest that they go rent a Frank Capra, John Ford, Victor Fleming or Alfred Hitchcock film...and if they don't know who they are then Google them. They'll see what Hollywood once did...but may never do again. And that's sad.
It was a movie designed to showcase gore...and I don't mean Al. Was there any redeeming value to the story? Not really. It was typical of what Hollywood is throwing at audiences these days. They toss great stories and green light scripts about guys who wear masks and run around with chainsaws, slicing and dissecting the neighbors. Every once and a while they slip and release a great story...but those slips are becoming fewer and fewer.
Hollywood used to make films like The Sound of Music and Grease. They made Gone With the Wind and Rebecca. What has happened? Why market to the lowest common denominator? Because that's where the money is. There is no thought of moral responsibility. I don't think that they have any.
There was a time in my life when I dreamed of being a film director. I wanted to be the next Robert Wise, Frank Capra or John Ford. I couldn't help but wonder what those great artists would have thought about the Hollywood of 2007. What would they have thought about the overt violence and sexuality? I think that they would have been surprised and saddened. They created great movies. They moved the camera and the story like the masters that they were. They generated sexuality without dropping a skirt or removing a bra. They could get more out a of a scene with a look or a gesture. Today...nothing is left to the imagination...NOTHING. And that doesn't speak well for the Hollywood Imagineers
If I could tell young film goers anything...I'd probably suggest that they go rent a Frank Capra, John Ford, Victor Fleming or Alfred Hitchcock film...and if they don't know who they are then Google them. They'll see what Hollywood once did...but may never do again. And that's sad.
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