"The movie was awful, and yes, you were awful in it, but one bad movie could be overcome. Look at Colin Farrell, he's overcome dozens of 'em, 'cause the perception of him is, he's a movie star."
ARI GOLD, ENTOURAGE
Every now and then I have those little moments where I find reality can be directly related back to a movie or TV show. I'd like to think that's normal. If not, just go along with it anyway.
For most of last weeks class with Mark, I kept coming back to Entourage, the 8 season HBO series following the rise, fall, and eventual comeback of a Hollywood "movie star." I threw quotation marks over that phrase just now because we spent a great deal of time in class discussing what exactly makes a movie star, what defining characteristics separate them from celebrities, and how the concept of stardom runs a little deeper than a seven figure salary and your picture on a billboard.
Societies general perception of movie stars is pretty straight forward, and I think that's where the idolisation stems from- rich, famous, and good looking- who wouldn't want that?
But as Mark explained to us in class, a movie star is more about being a commodity of the film industry, not an individual entity. They have to go beyond the one week wonder phase, and endure the elements of the movie business, hoping to come out at the end as a marketable image.
The scary part is considering just how unforgiving both the industry and the general public can be, if you fall.
Tom Cruise? I don't care what movie he's in, he's a couch jumping douche, and too short to play any role that isn't a jockey.
Mel Gibson? Anti Semitic prick.
Eddie Murphy? Well, Eddie is still rad. but I can't not think about his rendezvous with a transsexual prostitute every time I see one of his movies.
Over the years my level of respect has dropped for these actors, even though their downfalls and shortcomings have absolutely nothing to do with their on screen performance.
This alone pushes the idea that as an actor rises through the ranks in Hollywood, their actual talent becomes less important than their image- Their acting ability is what gets their foot in the door, but it's how they are perceived, and how they sell themselves (as a commodity) that will determine how long they can stay at the top.
Brittney Spears- The poster child for self destruction. |
Considering how cautious a person has to be in every area of their life, knowing that everything could change in one interview, one break-up, one bad paparazzi photo.... do I still envy them? Sure. But the difference now is, I'm starting to recognize that they have a little more to worry about than their seven figure salary and their face on the billboard.
Happy Easter!
Sean.
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