why modern movies make AFCs of men...

[d9930380]

Don't believe what you see in the movies. They're target audience is sad people with NO life.

Do you REALLY think Jerry McGuire is real? OR Is it written for all the single Mums who think a successful Tom Cruise lookalike will come along, love their kid and sweep them away?

Me and my sister where talking about the OC and she said she loved Seth (the nerd) and ALL her friends loved him too. And I said "Well if that's the case there are plenty of nerds out there". She realised that what she was saying was crap and infact she goes for the complete opposite, she just likes the character when watching the show. A bit like a girl who likes nerds as a friend BUT would NEVER go out with them.

 

[Delta]

or when we guys think as we're watching a movie, 'gosh i'd totally do that wallflower... everybody else ignores her but i'd totally RESCUE HER'... and she's played by allison hannigan or shannon elizabeth....

the actual nerd and the actual wall flower, we want nothing to do with.

casting leads to insidious illusions.

delta

 

[diplomatic_lies]

You guys do realise...if movies were all about rich, handsome, successful men with no flaws, it would be pretty boring, right?

I mean, the whole point of a movie is about fantasy. If movies were related to real life, we'd see a lot more rape in war movies (that Russia guy in "Enemy at the Gates" should be raping and killing 10-year-old German girls).

Don't take movies seriously. Watch them, enjoy them for the fantasy they present, and try not to involve yourself too much.

If you really insist in 'realistic' movies, try something like City of God, or a documentary.


PS. James Bond isn't real. A spy like that would've been caught and shot long ago.

 

[Nighthawk]

I enjoy pointing out the AFC messages in movies and adverts to my girlfriend. I shout at the tv on a wide array of topics.

There are probably more alpha characters in the media than real life anyway, it's an AFC world. I think Happy Days got the balance right, a bunch of AFCs and The Fonz. Too many modern films and shows seem to have kept the Potsies and lost Fonzie.

 

[Delta]

You guys do realise...if movies were all about rich, handsome, successful men with no flaws, it would be pretty boring, right?

this may not be true... i think what movies are doing is shorthand in a way - they give beautiful, successful people OUR problems to make interesting stories....

but the untapped line of development is this: fabulous people have lots of problems too... SERIOUSLY!!! no matter how successful or "actualized" you are, you have tons of problems. wouldn't it be interesting to see what they are?!

although again, maybe it would strike us as inane (paparazzi e.g.).


delta

 

[Nighthawk]

Problem is drama thrives on conflict, and the protagonists story arc usually involves them learning and growing. Ideally into an alpha, but all too often these days, into a *****.

A great DJ is in control so is less sympathetic when placed in trouble. People complain that Superman is a boring character because he is too powerful. Most action heroes like Dirty Harry or Indiana Jones are ultra-alphas already when the film begins, so no have nowhere to go in terms of character development.

Batman Begins had a good 'Man Up' message I guess. He learns to overcome his fears, be strong and resourceful, then how to direct that strength in the right way. By dressing up as a flying mouse ahem.

 

[KarmaSutra]

Um...have you guys ever met a Hollywood scriptwriter?

I'm one. Right now I strictly stick to script advice and proofreading/editing.

I've mentored under Devon Crowley and Dave Mckenna (S.W.A.T) while in film school in NY.

I've noticed a welcome change with scripts being churned out lately. Old school guy flicks like Porkys are making a comeback thanks to the success of films like 40 YOV and American Pie.

 

[IsiMan84]

isi,

thanks for the link. but i posted this cuz it's a wholly different thesis-

that a big problem is created in the DISCREPANCY between the kind of character necessitated by the plot and the CASTING.

it creates a false picture of the world that beautiful people have certain kinds of lives and end up in certain kinds of situation where in reality, it might be that such lives are lived only by people who are ordinary, ugly and worse.

this discrepancy gives those situations and life stations a validity and inevitability and even attractiveness that they would not have if they were properly cast with actors that fit the type.

delta

So you're aiming more at the reason it happens in movies, not the result of them doing it like I mentioned.