Hollywood: A Forgotten Legacy

The Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, recently announced new guidelines for winning the Best Picture award and being nominated. These guidelines have sparked controversy and led many to question the direction Hollywood is taking. I want to discuss how recent changes may be affecting its viewership and creative legacy.

The Birth of Hollywood

The story of Hollywood began in the early 1900s when filmmakers started migrating to California to escape the strict patent laws imposed by Thomas Edison's Motion Picture Patent Company in New Jersey. This move to Hollywood marked a hub for creativity and the birth of the film industry as we know it today. It was a place where filmmakers could unleash their creativity without being confined by guidelines and regulations.

The Golden Age of Hollywood

The 1920s to the 1950s are often referred to as the Golden Age of Hollywood. During this period, the studio system dominated the industry, with major studios like Paramount, Warner Brothers, 20th Century, RKO, and MGM producing a plethora of beloved classics. These films, such as "Gone with the Wind," "Casablanca," and "Citizen Kane," were the result of unrestricted creativity and the freedom to create masterpieces without being limited by guidelines or agendas.

The Evolution of Hollywood

In the 1960s and 1980s, Hollywood underwent significant changes. The decline of the studio system gave rise to a new era of filmmaking, characterized by more realistic and gritty aesthetics. Films like "The Godfather," "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," and "Taxi Driver" pushed the boundaries of storytelling and captivated audiences with their creativity.

The 1980s saw the rise of blockbuster films like "Star Wars," "E.T.," and "Indiana Jones," which became cultural phenomena and further expanded the possibilities of what could be achieved in the industry.

In the 1990s and 2000s, films like "Goodfellas," "Pulp Fiction," and "The Matrix" continued to push creative boundaries and captivate audiences with their innovative storytelling. During this time, the focus was on delivering great movies that appealed to a wide range of viewers, rather than conforming to specific agendas or mandates.

The Push for Diversity and Representation

In recent years, there has been an increasing emphasis on diversity and representation in Hollywood. This push has been driven by social media activism and calls for greater inclusivity in the industry. Films like "Black Panther," "Wonder Woman," and "Moonlight" have highlighted the importance of diverse storytelling and representation.

However, the push for diversity and representation took a different turn when it began to be enforced through mandates and guidelines.

The #OscarsSoWhite controversy in 2015 and 2016, followed by the #MeToo movement in 2017, led to significant changes within the Academy.

These changes aimed to diversify the membership and address issues of inequality and abuse within the industry.

The Impact of Forced Agendas

While promoting diversity and representation is a commendable goal, enforcing it through mandates and guidelines can hinder creativity and alienate audiences. The recent California film tax credit, which punishes projects that don't meet diversity goals, raises concerns about the potential negative consequences of such measures.

The focus should be on creating great films that resonate with audiences, rather than adhering to strict quotas or agendas.

The Decline of Viewership

One significant consequence of these changes is the decline in viewership of the Academy Awards. In 2014, 44 million people watched the ceremony, but by 2023, the viewership had dropped to 18.7 million, making it the third-worst lowest-rated Oscars in history. This decline in viewership can be attributed to several factors, including the disconnect between the Academy's choices and audience preferences, the perception of forced agendas, and the lack of recognition for popular films.

Audience Disconnect: The Academy's choices for Best Picture and nominations have often favored art-house films and critically acclaimed works that may not resonate with the general public. While these films may be hailed as cinematic achievements, they often lack the mass appeal that draws viewers to tune in and root for their favorite movies. This disconnect between the Academy's choices and audience preferences has resulted in a decline in interest and viewership.

Forced Agendas: The enforcement of diversity and representation through mandates and guidelines, while well-intentioned, has raised concerns about the industry's creative freedom and authenticity. When filmmaking becomes more about meeting quotas and ticking checkboxes, it can lead to a perception of forced agendas, diluting the organic storytelling process. Audiences appreciate genuine and authentic narratives that are not driven solely by a desire to meet certain criteria.

Lack of Recognition for Popular Films: There has been a noticeable gap between the films that garner critical acclaim and those that resonate with a wide audience. Popular films that dominate the box office and capture the attention of viewers are often overlooked or undervalued in the Oscars race. This lack of recognition for films that have a significant impact on popular culture can result in disinterest among viewers who feel that the Oscars no longer represent their cinematic preferences.

The Future of Hollywood

To revitalize the film industry and regain the trust and interest of viewers, Hollywood must strike a balance between artistic integrity, diverse representation, and catering to audience preferences. Embracing creativity, originality, and storytelling that appeals to a broad range of viewers can help rebuild the connection between Hollywood and its audience.

Rather than enforcing strict guidelines and mandates, the industry should focus on fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that allows filmmakers from diverse backgrounds to thrive.

By encouraging and amplifying a variety of voices and perspectives, Hollywood can create films that authentically represent the diverse world we live in.

Additionally, recognizing the value of popular films that capture the imagination of audiences and generate widespread excitement can help bridge the gap between critical acclaim and mass appeal.

Award categories that acknowledge and celebrate popular genres, such as superhero films, action blockbusters, or animated features, can help ensure that a wider range of films are acknowledged and celebrated at prestigious events like the Oscars.

Hollywood's legacy is rooted in creative freedom and the ability to captivate audiences with compelling storytelling.

While the push for diversity and representation is important, it should not come at the expense of stifling creativity or alienating viewers. By finding a balance between artistic integrity, inclusivity, and audience preferences, Hollywood can revive its legacy and regain the support and enthusiasm of viewers worldwide.