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Date Posted: 08:28:09 03/27/06 Mon
Viewfinder : Star power no longer reigns supreme
First posted 08:17pm (Mla time) Mar 27, 2006
By Nestor U. Torre/ Inquirer
FOR decades, lovers of good movies have bewailed the star-oriented
thrust of the mainstream film industry. Since fans watched films for
the actors who appeared in them, stars held too much power and
inordinately affected the quality of the movies they agreed to act
in.
Many films were tailor-made to suit the stars’ plus points and
limitations, so variety and originality suffered.
A number of major stars were afraid to take risks, so they pretty
much played mere variations on their signature screen personas
throughout their predictable careers.
Film buffs sought to diminish star power and give greater weight to
script and direction, but fans wouldn’t let go of their fixation on
their screen idols.
Some 10 years ago, the situation began to change on its own.
Moviegoers finally got bored with the predictable, star-oriented
film fare being churned out for them, and transferred their viewing
allegiance to US imports.
Local stars made things worse by arrogantly upping their demands in
terms of hefty fees and increased control over production. In
particular, action superstars ticked producers off by asking for,
not just millions as recompense for their work as actors, but
additional millions for line-producing their starrers.
Turnaround
They also insisted on the right to approve co-workers, from co-stars
to director. When their films bombed at the box office, peeved
producers refused to offer them new projects. Thus, the action
superstars had to make-do with acting on TV sitcoms, as they’re
doing to this day.
Now that only a few Filipino movies are being made, producers are
much less willing to pay top money to stars who can no longer be
relied on to come up with hits.
Producers are also responding to moviegoers’ call for fresher film
concepts and better production values. Instead of spending most of
their money on inflated star salaries, they’re banking on more
original stories and solid technical plus points to interest
viewers, not just locally but in other film markets as well.
Where does that leave the stars? Many of them take on TV work. But
the film industry still needs stars, so new ones are being
developed, mostly for teen romances. Instructively, these new stars
don’t rate the inflated talent fees that older lead players charged
years ago.
With some exceptions, local filmmaking has become a budget-savvy
activity, and star power no longer reigns supreme. Movie actors must
now share the limelight with other aspects of production, and that
makes for a healthier and more creative film climate all around.
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rv_pinoypopsuperstar · Regine Velasquez: Pinoy Pop SuperStar
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