Why Movies Sometimes Flop Despite Pre-Release Reviews
For nearly 40 years, one question has puzzled me in the grand, often tangled world of Hollywood: why do some movies flop, despite the wealth of opinions available before their release?
Talent and Script Availability in Hollywood
Hollywood, with its countless scripts floating around, is a place where the scripts seem as abundant as the stars. Many people, from cab drivers to bellhops, carry around their own screenplays, aiming to make them their next big break. Just like the movie stardom one aspires to, writing scripts can be a democratic pursuit. Anyone, with a bit of talent and a tremendous amount of persistence, can craft an enduring script. Yet, it's not as simple as one might think.
The question remains: with so many scripts out there, why don't the best ones bubble to the top, while the rest fall by the wayside? This conundrum is especially perplexing given the myriad opinions available on new films before their release. From online reviews to word-of-mouth recommendations and firsthand examples, people have more avenues to voice their opinions than ever before. However, this does not guarantee a successful film.
The Hollywood Bottom Line Dictates Success
When it comes down to it, Hollywood is a business, and the bottom line is king. The perennial question is how much a movie makes, and this often takes precedence over artistic merit or creativity. This obsession with financial success can sometimes overshadow the desire for new, innovative stories and narratives.
While the movie industry might tout their dedication to new talent and fresh ideas, the reality is often different. Most movies lose money, and the financing parties struggle to accurately predict which films will succeed and which will not. In a sense, the industry is still in the dark about what makes a movie a hit. This lack of predictability leads to a rigorous scrutiny of past works, such as box office performance and critical reception, to determine future success. This approach can sometimes miss out on unique and innovative stories that could captivate audiences in new ways.
The Politics of Breaking into Hollywood
Breaking into the world of motion pictures, in any capacity, can be a daunting task. The film community is not always welcoming to outsiders, and the industry can be harsh and competitive. While it's often denied, instances of plagiarism in script submissions do occur. To mitigate the risk, script writers are often required to sign a disclaimer, promising not to sue for copyright infringement if their idea is used in a future film. This transparency is somewhat hypocritical, as it suggests a culture of ideas ownership that is more corporate than creative.
Script writers often face skepticism and disbelief, with many local film festivals accepting a mere 5% of submitted scripts. This stringent gatekeeping exacerbates the challenge of getting a screenplay noticed and produced. The industry is filled with well-intentioned individuals, yet the system can still feel like a capricious lottery. Success seems to favor those with established connections and a track record of success, making it all the more challenging for new talent to break through.
How can filmmakers reconcile the gap between the abundance of opinions on new films and the unpredictability of their success? Perhaps a shift in the industry's focus towards nurturing a diverse range of stories and allowing room for risk-taking and experimentation could help. This would expand the range of potential successes and create a more vibrant and dynamic landscape for filmmakers and audiences alike.
The film industry, with all its complexities and challenges, continues to evolve. By fostering a more inclusive and experimental environment, Hollywood could unlock new levels of creativity and success, bringing fresh perspectives to the screen and thrilling audiences in novel ways.