In the last couple years the film industry has not put out one decently original idea. Everything that has made it's way to the big screen has either been based off a book, remade, or retold. Now, I'm not claiming to be some great writer, some grand master of the literary world, but I'm not getting paid for talent either! The screenwriters are getting paid for talent and thier talent seems to be just a copy and paste style of writing. What has become of the Craft of Storytelling? In a world of quick development, cheap labor, and mass production where have all the grand architects gone? The one's who create what has never before been seen or heard, those who consistently (and tastefully) push the envelope. Alas, "there is nothing new under the sun"
Do not get confused when I talk about craft. This is differnent than art. Art is something subjective, only relevant to the artist, whereas craft is made for an audience. However, art is a reflection of our society and through art one can see how the craft is dying. One can only look at the evolution of modern art from impressionism down to op-art and see with bold clarity the relationship it has on film, literature and music (the later two will be discussed more fully in months to come). Impressionism was great art, art how it should be, and so was expressionism, fauvism, cubism, and hell, even art deco. Then there came abtract art followed by pop art and op-art, all talentless expressions of self which have replaced the sould for a pseudo-soul. Art went from great canvasses emersing you into a different world and time to the world of Freudian projective tests! One gigantic Rorcharch plastered on the wall!
So what does this have to do with the state of film? I'll tell you, since you really want to know. Art has become subjective. "What do you think this means?", "And how does this one make you feel", and "What is the artist trying to convey here?". Artists have tried to become, through their vagueness, profound. But they are not ready to be profound. Profoundness comes through years of pain, joy, loss, gain, and loss repeated. Profoundness is a product of wisdom. Yet, here are thousands of writers, poets, musicians, and artists who have been reared apart from the true craft and nurtured in the bossom of subjectivity. They pour symbols and abstractions into thier work hoping that somebody, anybody will see something inside it and call them genius. As a result, thier ability to actually craft a story becomes hindered. Unwittingly they drown the plot, the character development, and the meaningful dialogue in thier obscurity. Sadly, the craft falls victim and drowns also.
There is noway for me to end this rant. Just as there is no way for me to save the craft, at least, not by myself. So I leave you to ponder the future of storytelling and to let you decide it's fate. I will be here, studying the classics, finding out what went wrong, and preparing for war. Because I will not let it fade without a fight.
