It's true no one aspires to be a starving artist. It's true that exposing the ideas that manifest within the very chasms of your own soul can be just about the most horrifying thing anyone can do. Art is not made easily, and lately, art is hardly made at all. Mediums formerly known as some of the most powerful ways of expressing ideas, of sending messages, or evoking emotion are now ripped raw of their artistic potential in favor of monetary gain. Most notably, film and literature have become subject to a horrid husking of their most spiritual and rapturous elements.
It's no doubt that cinema is perhaps one of the most diverse forms of art. With genres ranging from documentary and Western to romance and horror, a film is capable of expanding on more than one subject or idea. However, a recent trend has occurred in the world of cinema.
When production companies and directors want more money for their films, they sacrifice their messages of grandeur and sorrow for relatability to a general public. Movies have become less about telling a story rich with symbolism and lessons, and more about how large of a merchandisable franchise could be created around them.
Movies are very frequently based on books -- very frequently, books that have the depth of a puddle on asphalt, as the authors of these books are merely trying to make money themselves. These movies based on books tend to take on the recurring story of the dystopian trilogy. And as greed grows, new tactics are designed to create a bigger revenue. Instead of just showing three movies, why not make it four, in order to squeeze as much as possible out of whatever franchise is the latest fad? As if the actual release of the movie, merchandise, and DVD would not create a large enough profit.
It isn't always the franchise that's guilty of a lukewarm story or absence of any real passion. It can be the never really wanted, always terrible reboot. Directors gluttonous for money have taken to falling back upon once successful and well-done movies, in order to release their own films in the form of a reboot. "Zoolander 2," "Terminator: Genisys," and the second "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" are all examples of this lazy practice.
As I've addressed momentarily before, the realm of literature has also been infected by the pursuit of funds rather than art. Before the infamous and heavily repetitive dystopian tale were paranormal romances. Authors are now writing books that they know will appeal to an adolescent majority, rather than anything with symbolic significance. And with the new trend of movies being frequently based on books, authors are now writing in hopes of a movie deal.
Money has fueled a malicious synergy between cinema and literature, poisoning both to the brink of their own demise. This trend has almost created a prison for other authors. Writing isn't an easy career to become a great success in, and when faced with the possibility of failure, the easy route is far more frequently taken. And far more frequently recognized by the populace.
I'm not saying that the world needs to continuously produce new and extravagant works of art. Not every film has to be layered with new and innovative ideas. Not every novel has to be capable of invoking change within the very soul of its reader. I am simply saying that we are heading down a dismal path. A path where we can create endless hoards of movies and endless volumes of books while still not saying or meaning anything.
Creation is vital to our culture. In a world where cultures are dying daily, and histories are being forgotten forever, creation is our most vital tool towards a future. Money is nice of course, but if we let it become our only motivator, the world becomes a much drearier place.
