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Is there an alternative to Is there an alternative to Hollywood?Hollywood?

- The greatest art denies us - The greatest art denies us the comfort of catharsis - the comfort of catharsis -

Characteristics of a Hollywood Characteristics of a Hollywood FilmFilm

Use of StarsUse of Stars Use of Known Talent:Use of Known Talent: -writers e.g. Stephen King, Michael Crichton, J.K. Rowling-writers e.g. Stephen King, Michael Crichton, J.K. Rowling -directors e.g. Scorsese, Tarantino, Spielberg-directors e.g. Scorsese, Tarantino, Spielberg

Big Budgets – Big Budgets – Average cost to make/market = $109.2 Average cost to make/market = $109.2

million (Motion Picture Association of America, 2004)million (Motion Picture Association of America, 2004) Average British Solo Production = £3.5 millionAverage British Solo Production = £3.5 million

Six Major Six Major Studios—Disney, Fox, Warner Bros., Studios—Disney, Fox, Warner Bros., Paramount, Universal, Sony control production, Paramount, Universal, Sony control production, distribution, exhibition of most western countries distribution, exhibition of most western countries – combined 2004 profit = $45 billion– combined 2004 profit = $45 billion

Characteristics of a Hollywood Characteristics of a Hollywood FilmFilm

Use of Special Effects – Use of Special Effects – narrative driven films narrative driven films don’t sell well in a global market placedon’t sell well in a global market place

Dependence on Sequels (Dependence on Sequels (Harry Potter and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secretsthe Chamber of Secrets), Generic ), Generic Sequencing (Sequencing (Halloween 12Halloween 12), Remakes (), Remakes (The The RingRing), Adaptations of Comics), Adaptations of Comics ((X Men 3X Men 3), ), Adaptations of TV Shows (Adaptations of TV Shows (The Dukes of The Dukes of HazardHazard))

Massive Advertising/MerchandisingMassive Advertising/Merchandising Huge Investment in TraileringHuge Investment in Trailering Platform ReleasesPlatform Releases

Recycled HollywoodRecycled Hollywood

A Bout de Souffle – Breathless (French)A Bout de Souffle – Breathless (French) Ju-On – The GrudgeJu-On – The Grudge (Japanese)(Japanese) Abre los OjosAbre los Ojos - Vanilla Sky (Spanish) - Vanilla Sky (Spanish) Spoorloos – The Vanishing (Dutch)Spoorloos – The Vanishing (Dutch) Solaris – Solaris (Russian)Solaris – Solaris (Russian) Alfie – Alfie (UK)Alfie – Alfie (UK) Wings of Desire – City of Angels (German) Wings of Desire – City of Angels (German) Insomnia – Insomnia (Norwegian)Insomnia – Insomnia (Norwegian) The Seven Samurai – The Magnificent The Seven Samurai – The Magnificent

Seven (Japan)Seven (Japan)

Dependency on GENRE FilmsDependency on GENRE Films

The predictable narrative paradigm is The predictable narrative paradigm is repeated across many GENRESrepeated across many GENRES

Hollywood producers use genres to Hollywood producers use genres to help them identify a ‘recipe for help them identify a ‘recipe for success’success’

The ‘recipe’ includes; Stock The ‘recipe’ includes; Stock situations, stock characters (types, situations, stock characters (types, stereotypes, archetypes), predictable stereotypes, archetypes), predictable iconography (objects, backgrounds, iconography (objects, backgrounds, stars) themes (east v west)stars) themes (east v west)

Some Hollywood output in Some Hollywood output in 20042004

Alfie, Agent Cody Banks 2, Anchorman, A Alfie, Agent Cody Banks 2, Anchorman, A Cinderella Story, Alien V Predator, Anacondas: Cinderella Story, Alien V Predator, Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid, Catwoman, The Hunt for the Blood Orchid, Catwoman, Christmas with the Kranks, Eurotrip, Alexander, Christmas with the Kranks, Eurotrip, Alexander, Exorcist: The Beginning, I Robot, Gothika, Harold Exorcist: The Beginning, I Robot, Gothika, Harold and Kumar Get the Munchies, White Chicks, and Kumar Get the Munchies, White Chicks, Garfield the Movie, Around the World in Eighty Garfield the Movie, Around the World in Eighty Days, Thunderbirds, Van Helsing, The Chronicles Days, Thunderbirds, Van Helsing, The Chronicles of Riddick, New York Minute (Olsen Twins), of Riddick, New York Minute (Olsen Twins), Scooby Doo 2, Princess Diaries 2, Sky Captain and Scooby Doo 2, Princess Diaries 2, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, Spanglish, The Stepford the World of Tomorrow, Spanglish, The Stepford Wives, Wimbledon, Fat Albert, Dirty Dancing: Wives, Wimbledon, Fat Albert, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, Resident Evil: ApocalypseHavana Nights, Resident Evil: Apocalypse …….. ……..

In 2004 we also got…In 2004 we also got…

The Incredibles, The Bourne Supremacy, The Incredibles, The Bourne Supremacy, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Million Dollar Baby, Shrek 2, Harry Potter Million Dollar Baby, Shrek 2, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban ….and the Prisoner of Azkaban ….

…….non Hollywood 2004 films include; Lost in .non Hollywood 2004 films include; Lost in Translation, Shaun of the Dead, Ladies in Translation, Shaun of the Dead, Ladies in Lavender, The Motorcycle Diaries, Lavender, The Motorcycle Diaries, Fahrenheit 9/11, Before Sunset, Sideways, Fahrenheit 9/11, Before Sunset, Sideways, House of Flying Daggers, Old Boy, Hero, House of Flying Daggers, Old Boy, Hero, Super Size Me, Bad Education, The Story of Super Size Me, Bad Education, The Story of the Weeping Camelthe Weeping Camel

Classic Hollywood ParadigmClassic Hollywood Paradigm

Hero/HeroineHero/HeroineAgent of ChangeAgent of ChangeEquilibriumEquilibriumThreat to EquilibriumThreat to EquilibriumQuestQuestReturn to New EquilibriumReturn to New Equilibrium

Follows a cause and effect logicFollows a cause and effect logic

Classic Hollywood Paradigm – Classic Hollywood Paradigm – ‘Jaws’‘Jaws’

Hero = Martin Brody (new police chief)Hero = Martin Brody (new police chief) Agent of Change = Mangled body of a vacationer Agent of Change = Mangled body of a vacationer

found on beachfound on beach Equilibrium = Amity and beach life in the run up to Equilibrium = Amity and beach life in the run up to

44thth July July Threat to Equilibrium = Confirmation of a man Threat to Equilibrium = Confirmation of a man

eating shark in the Amity vicinityeating shark in the Amity vicinity Quest = Brody, Quint and Hooper go out to sea to Quest = Brody, Quint and Hooper go out to sea to

kill the sharkkill the shark Return to New Equilibrium = Quint is killed by the Return to New Equilibrium = Quint is killed by the

shark. Brody and Hooper successfully kill the shark. Brody and Hooper successfully kill the shark. The waters of Amity are seemingly safe shark. The waters of Amity are seemingly safe again.again.

Classic Hollywood Paradigm – Classic Hollywood Paradigm – ‘ET’‘ET’

Hero = ElliotHero = Elliot Agent of Change = A little alien is left Agent of Change = A little alien is left

behind by his fellow ‘alien botanists’ on a behind by his fellow ‘alien botanists’ on a ‘strange’ planet‘strange’ planet

Equilibrium – The domestic sphere of Elliot Equilibrium – The domestic sphere of Elliot and familyand family

Threat to Equilibrium – Elliot discovers ETThreat to Equilibrium – Elliot discovers ET Quest – The desire to return home is strong Quest – The desire to return home is strong

in ET – Elliot and co try to facilitate thisin ET – Elliot and co try to facilitate this Return to new Equilibrium - ET returns Return to new Equilibrium - ET returns

home - Elliot and co learn new values about home - Elliot and co learn new values about the meaning of friendshipthe meaning of friendship

Syd Field and Syd Field and ScreenplayScreenplay The Three Act Structure – the paradigm is The Three Act Structure – the paradigm is

based on a two-hour/120 page Hollywood filmbased on a two-hour/120 page Hollywood film Act 1 = Set up – approx 30 pages long- the Act 1 = Set up – approx 30 pages long- the

story, the characters, the dramatic premise, story, the characters, the dramatic premise, the situation, the relationship between main the situation, the relationship between main character/others is established.character/others is established.

Act 2 = Confrontation – approx 60 pages – the Act 2 = Confrontation – approx 60 pages – the main character encounters obstacle after main character encounters obstacle after obstacle that keeps them from meeting their obstacle that keeps them from meeting their dramatic needdramatic need

Act 3 = Resolution – Starts about page 90 to Act 3 = Resolution – Starts about page 90 to the end of screenplay- resolution of the story the end of screenplay- resolution of the story

Syd Field and Syd Field and Screenplay Screenplay (1984)(1984)

Plot Points – a plot point is any incident, episode Plot Points – a plot point is any incident, episode or event that pushes the narrative forward/in or event that pushes the narrative forward/in another direction another direction

Plot point 1 occurs at the end of Act 1 and shifts Plot point 1 occurs at the end of Act 1 and shifts from expository into the main narrativefrom expository into the main narrative

Plot point 2 shifts the main narrative into Plot point 2 shifts the main narrative into denouement – wrapping up the narrative threadsdenouement – wrapping up the narrative threads

Before one begins to write a Hollywood script Before one begins to write a Hollywood script Field argues you must know four things – the Field argues you must know four things – the beginning, plot point 1, plot point 2 and the beginning, plot point 1, plot point 2 and the ending ending

JAWS – JAWS – Three Act StructureThree Act Structure

Essentially there are only eight Essentially there are only eight plots/combinations of these plots which inform plots/combinations of these plots which inform film narrativesfilm narratives

AchillesAchilles CandideCandide CinderellaCinderella CirceCirce FaustFaust OrpheusOrpheus Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet Tristan and IseultTristan and Iseult

Raymond G. Frensham and Raymond G. Frensham and Teach Yourself ScreenwritingTeach Yourself Screenwriting

(1997)(1997)

Vladimir Propp and MVladimir Propp and Morphology orphology of the Folk Tale (1928)of the Folk Tale (1928)

Characters can be reduced to Characters can be reduced to eight/combination of these eighteight/combination of these eight

The VillainThe Villain The HeroThe Hero The DonorThe Donor The HelperThe Helper The PrincessThe Princess Her FatherHer Father The DispatcherThe Dispatcher The False Hero The False Hero

Proppean analysis of Proppean analysis of Star Star WarsWars

The Villain = The Villain = Darth VaderDarth Vader The Hero = The Hero = Luke SkywalkerLuke Skywalker The Donor = The Donor = Obi-Wan KenobiObi-Wan Kenobi The Helper = The Helper = C3PO, R2D2, Han Solo C3PO, R2D2, Han Solo

…… The Princess = The Princess = LeiaLeia Her Father =Her Father = The Rebel AllianceThe Rebel Alliance The Dispatcher = The Dispatcher = Obi-Wan KenobiObi-Wan Kenobi The False Hero =The False Hero =

Claude-Levi Strauss and Claude-Levi Strauss and The The Raw and the Cooked, Raw and the Cooked,

Introduction to a Science of Introduction to a Science of MythologyMythology (1969) (1969)

The Great OppositesThe Great Opposites good & evilgood & evil

order & disorderorder & disorderprogress & status quoprogress & status quolove & hatelove & hatecivilization & the uncivilizedcivilization & the uncivilizedmodern & primitivemodern & primitivemasculine & femininemasculine & femininescience & religionscience & religion

Laura Mulvey and Laura Mulvey and Visual Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema Pleasure and Narrative Cinema

(1975)(1975) the dominant point of view within cinema the dominant point of view within cinema

is masculine is masculine women are photographed from a male, women are photographed from a male,

heterosexual POV, the camera’s view point heterosexual POV, the camera’s view point is rarely gender neutral is rarely gender neutral

Conventional narrative films in the Conventional narrative films in the ‘classical’ Hollywood tradition not only ‘classical’ Hollywood tradition not only typically focus on a male protagonist in typically focus on a male protagonist in the narrative but also assume a male the narrative but also assume a male spectator spectator

A Sexist Industry?A Sexist Industry? In 2002 women comprised only 1% of all cinematographers In 2002 women comprised only 1% of all cinematographers

working on the top 250 films (Lauzen 2003)working on the top 250 films (Lauzen 2003) A woman has never won the Oscar for best directing. In A woman has never won the Oscar for best directing. In

fact, only two have ever been nominated -- Lina Wertmüller fact, only two have ever been nominated -- Lina Wertmüller for ‘Seven Beauties’ in 1976 and Jane Campion for ‘The for ‘Seven Beauties’ in 1976 and Jane Campion for ‘The Piano’ in 1993. Piano’ in 1993.

Only 4 of 2004’s top 100 films were directed by womenOnly 4 of 2004’s top 100 films were directed by women "The U.S. Senate is more progressive than Hollywood. "The U.S. Senate is more progressive than Hollywood.

Female Senators: 9%, Female directors: 4%." Female Senators: 9%, Female directors: 4%." At a time when film schools are graduating almost equal At a time when film schools are graduating almost equal

numbers of men and women, why is the movie business numbers of men and women, why is the movie business still such a closed shop? still such a closed shop?

"women who were trying to make films about women were "women who were trying to make films about women were getting the lowest amount of money" of any prospective getting the lowest amount of money" of any prospective filmmakers. (Lauzen 2002)filmmakers. (Lauzen 2002)

Some British DirectorsSome British Directors

Lindsay Anderson Lindsay Anderson Richard Attenborough Richard Attenborough Kenneth Branagh Kenneth Branagh Antonia Bird Antonia Bird Gurinder Chadha Gurinder Chadha Terence Davies Terence Davies Stephen Frears Stephen Frears Peter Greenaway Peter Greenaway Derek Jarman Derek Jarman David Lean David Lean Mike Leigh Mike Leigh Ken Loach Ken Loach Anthony Minghella Anthony Minghella Shane Meadows Shane Meadows Nicolas Roeg Nicolas Roeg Ken Russell Ken Russell Michael Powell Michael Powell Sally Potter Sally Potter Tony Richardson Tony Richardson John SchlesingerJohn Schlesinger

Other Countries Other Films Other Countries Other Films

Indian cinema – whose output is the Indian cinema – whose output is the largest in the world in terms of number largest in the world in terms of number of films produced and in number of of films produced and in number of tickets sold. Bollywood is a strong part tickets sold. Bollywood is a strong part of popular culture of not only India and of popular culture of not only India and the rest of the Indian subcontinent, but the rest of the Indian subcontinent, but also of the Middle East, parts of Africa, also of the Middle East, parts of Africa, parts of Southeast Asia, and among the parts of Southeast Asia, and among the South Asian Diaspora worldwide.South Asian Diaspora worldwide.

Other SystemsOther Systems France has a strong indigenous industry – double France has a strong indigenous industry – double

that of UK – Italy, Spain and Germany all have that of UK – Italy, Spain and Germany all have healthy production systemshealthy production systems

Mexico operated a successful studio system in the Mexico operated a successful studio system in the 1940’s1940’s

Egypt produced on an industrial scale in the 1950’ Egypt produced on an industrial scale in the 1950’ and 1960’sand 1960’s

Hong Kong and Japan have long traditions of Hong Kong and Japan have long traditions of industrial production – in the 1930’s and 1950’s industrial production – in the 1930’s and 1950’s Japan was the biggest producer of films in the worldJapan was the biggest producer of films in the world

Asian/Latin American films are becoming Asian/Latin American films are becoming increasingly popular globally – creating a ‘new increasingly popular globally – creating a ‘new wave’ of cinemawave’ of cinema

Some of the greatest contemporary films are being Some of the greatest contemporary films are being made in Iran ‘The Apple’made in Iran ‘The Apple’

Dogme 95Dogme 95

A collection of films – have been A collection of films – have been described as part of a Danish ‘new wave’described as part of a Danish ‘new wave’

Challenges conventions of mainstream Challenges conventions of mainstream cinemacinema

Have their own ‘anti-rules’ – the Vow of Have their own ‘anti-rules’ – the Vow of ChastityChastity

A simpler style – complements the A simpler style – complements the messages and values inscribed in the messages and values inscribed in the filmfilm

The Vow of ChastityThe Vow of Chastity The (Dogme 95) Vow of ChastityThe (Dogme 95) Vow of Chastity "I swear to submit to the following set of rules drawn up and "I swear to submit to the following set of rules drawn up and

confirmed by DOGME 95:confirmed by DOGME 95: Shooting must be done on location. Props and sets must not be Shooting must be done on location. Props and sets must not be

brought in (if a particular prop is necessary for the story, a brought in (if a particular prop is necessary for the story, a location must be chosen where this prop is to be found). location must be chosen where this prop is to be found).    

The sound must never be produced apart from the images or vice The sound must never be produced apart from the images or vice versa. (Music must not be used unless it occurs where the scene is versa. (Music must not be used unless it occurs where the scene is being shot). being shot).    

The camera must be hand-held. Any movement or immobility The camera must be hand-held. Any movement or immobility attainable in the hand is permitted. (The film must not take place attainable in the hand is permitted. (The film must not take place where the camera is standing; shooting must take place where the where the camera is standing; shooting must take place where the film takes place). film takes place).    

The film must be in colour. Special lighting is not acceptable. (If The film must be in colour. Special lighting is not acceptable. (If there is too little light for exposure the scene must be cut or a there is too little light for exposure the scene must be cut or a single lamp be attached to the camera).single lamp be attached to the camera).

The Vow of ChastityThe Vow of Chastity Optical work and filters are forbidden. Optical work and filters are forbidden.

    The film must not contain superficial action. The film must not contain superficial action.

(Murders, weapons, etc. must not occur.) (Murders, weapons, etc. must not occur.)    

Temporal and geographical alienation are Temporal and geographical alienation are forbidden. (That is to say that the film takes forbidden. (That is to say that the film takes place here and now.) place here and now.)    

Genre movies are not acceptable. Genre movies are not acceptable.    

The film format must be Academy 35 mm. The film format must be Academy 35 mm.    

The director must not be credited. The director must not be credited.

Chicano CinemaChicano Cinema

There has been a recent ‘new wave’ There has been a recent ‘new wave’ in Mexican/Latin American cinemain Mexican/Latin American cinema

- - Central Station, El Mariachi, Behind Central Station, El Mariachi, Behind the Sun, City of God, Y Tu Mama the Sun, City of God, Y Tu Mama Tambien, Amores Perros, Maria Full Tambien, Amores Perros, Maria Full of Grace, 21 Grams, The Motorcycle of Grace, 21 Grams, The Motorcycle Diaries, El Crimen del Padre Amaro Diaries, El Crimen del Padre Amaro

Hong KongHong Kong

Hong Kong’s reintegration into China in Hong Kong’s reintegration into China in 1997 generated the cultural setting for 1997 generated the cultural setting for a new phase in Chinese filmmaking. a new phase in Chinese filmmaking. The work of Wong Kar-Wai, particularly The work of Wong Kar-Wai, particularly his films his films Chunking ExpressChunking Express, , In the In the Mood for LoveMood for Love and and 20462046 exemplify how exemplify how a cinematic ‘new wave’ can emerge in a cinematic ‘new wave’ can emerge in a country under specific cultural and a country under specific cultural and historical circumstances. historical circumstances.

The Female GazeThe Female Gaze

A different vision of the world is A different vision of the world is offered by filmmakers such asoffered by filmmakers such as

-Sally Potter, Jane Campion, Kathryn -Sally Potter, Jane Campion, Kathryn Bigelow, Claire Denis, Lynne RamsayBigelow, Claire Denis, Lynne Ramsay

Revision gender roles in the 21Revision gender roles in the 21stst century – both femininities and century – both femininities and masculinitiesmasculinities

Perceive gender as ‘performative’ e.g. Perceive gender as ‘performative’ e.g. OrlandoOrlando

The AuteurThe Auteur

An alternative to mainstream Hollywood and An alternative to mainstream Hollywood and feel-good independent movies has always feel-good independent movies has always been the canonical auteur cinema of been the canonical auteur cinema of Godard, Bergman, Antonioni, or more Godard, Bergman, Antonioni, or more recently Takeshi Mike and Quentin recently Takeshi Mike and Quentin Tarantino. Tarantino.

Auteurs of contemporary world cinema Auteurs of contemporary world cinema would include Ang Lee, Pedro Almodovar, would include Ang Lee, Pedro Almodovar, John Waters, David Lynch, Woody Allen, Lee John Waters, David Lynch, Woody Allen, Lee Sun-Fung, Nick Broomfield, Spike Lee, Sun-Fung, Nick Broomfield, Spike Lee, Alejandro Gonzalez Inàrritu Alejandro Gonzalez Inàrritu