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Since its inception, the film industry has become known for power-hungry producers and greedy executives who want to squeeze every ounce of profit out of a project, caring more about numbers and statistics than creating art. This battle has been going on for decades, with the interplay between commercialism and creativity shaping the types of films made each year. Few directors have managed the balancing act of commercial and critical success so well Steven Spielberg.
During a recession we will see more action and thriller films, with people wanting fast-paced entertainment that gives them more bang for their buck than a slow-paced emotional drama about everyday dilemmas and riddles. And after many years working in Hollywood, Steven Spielberg has become very familiar with these types of characters, highlighting one in particular that he would never want to work for.
The bad and the beautifulDirected by Vincent Minnelli in 1952, it follows the rise and fall of a Hollywood stalwart producer, Jonathan Shields, as revealed through the perspectives of the people in his life. He plans to become the ultimate movie producer in Hollywood and is willing to do whatever it takes to climb his way to the top. In many ways it is a precursor to e.g Black Swan, Whiplash and even by Robert Altman The player, which excoriates the toxic practices within the industry and the corruption of those at the top. Through the character of Jonathan Shields, we see how power can tempt people and the way it destroys us, taking over every humanistic ambition and becoming the driving force in our lives.
When asked about his experiences in Hollywood, Spielberg drew similarities between Shields and many of the people he has met, saying: “Growing up in this business, I knew people like Jonathan Shields, played brilliantly by Kirk Douglas , which I would never want to have. to work for, but who I couldn’t wait to see their next film.”
This encompasses the contradictory heart of the business, where people value their love for actors and directors before considering who they are as people. We place these celebrities on pedestals and regard them as gods, while exhibiting behavior like Jonathan Shields that shows contempt and lack of care towards those around him. In recent films such as Tardirected by Todd Field, exposes the myth behind the creative genius, and how we can’t separate the art from the artist, despite how much we love their work.
Spielberg touches on something that has plagued the creative industries for years, where people enjoy certain people’s work but don’t value anything about who they are as people. But somehow, these people almost always thrive in Hollywood and are rewarded with success, regardless of how they treat others.
But given Spielberg’s status, fortunately he has the opportunity to do so choose who he works with, That’s a luxury not afforded to many up-and-coming directors, who are forced to work for obnoxious and powerful people desperate to get ahead, people who look all too much like Jonathan Shields.
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