Miscellaneous Movie Musings - Page 6

Gemini Cricket · 05-23-2006, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moonliner

The FedEx placement in Castaway made it a better movie.

How?

Quote:

Originally Posted by scaeagles

Not in the least. Capitalism at its best. And if I am so weak minded that I go purchase a coke because I saw Harrison Ford drinking one then I deserve whatever the death-in-a-can soda does to me.

That is how we differ. I see it as selling out. And anyone who buys a Coke because Harrison Ford (which he wouldn't by the way, maybe in Japan but not here) told them to is a lemming.

Cadaverous Pallor · 05-23-2006, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

I see it as selling out.

I don't see how a multi-million dollar budget film can be accused of selling out any further than it already does.

If I wrote a screenplay and Coke wanted my characters to drink Coke in it, I'd happily take whatever they offered as long as the script and direction aren't affected by the transaction. I'd be especially inclined to take it if it meant I'd have just that much more budget for my film - better equipment, more time, etc. I don't see that as "selling out" my script or concept.

Not Afraid · 05-23-2006, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scaeagles

Perhaps I don't see enough films, but nothing like product placement or brand-x vs. the real thing bugs me. People drink Coke, so who cares if there's a Coke on the table? Why should I care if it is FedEx or Transglobal Express?

Just doesn't make a difference to me.

I completely agreee with you. I could care less if a person is drinking Coke, Pepsi, Shasta or Colamonger Cola. If a story is compelling enough, I don't even notice beyond having a mental placeholder for what the company means. However, if an incorrect concept was used, I would find it really disturbing.

Cadaverous Pallor · 05-23-2006, 10:32 AM

It's an interesting question - how much reality do you want in your storytelling? Should the president's name be correct or fictional? Which movie stars "exist" and which don't due to acting in the film itself? I love when movies play with that and have the actor exist anyway, so you have an actor saying that he hates himself or whatever. I can't think of an example off the top of my head.

More on realism:
On Family Guy, Stewie travels to the future.
Stewie: "Everything looks the same!"
Future Stewie: "What did you expect, it's only been thirty years."

Gemini Cricket · 05-23-2006, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

It's an interesting question - how much reality do you want in your storytelling?

I think it depends on the story. If it a brand name pertains to something specific in the story itself and is vital to tell the story, then it should exist. It is not vital to the story to have Hanks work at FedEx. The story would not lose anything if he worked for a company by another name.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

Should the president's name be correct or fictional?

I think it also depends on the story. Is it a movie that is impacted by the Watergate scandal? If so, Nixon should be president. If the president's identity or political party is irrelevant, then a generic president should be featured. If 'The Day After Tomorrow' featured George Bush 2, then the movie would be seen as a jab at Bush and Republicans. It makes a total statement to have the president be an actual president.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

Which movie stars "exist" and which don't due to acting in the film itself? I love when movies play with that and have the actor exist anyway, so you have an actor saying that he hates himself or whatever. I can't think of an example off the top of my head.

This was a funny thing I noticed in 'Beverly Hills Cop 2'. The villain in that was Bridget Nielsen. At one point, someone interacts with a poster for the film 'Cobra' (the Stallone vehicle). At the time the movie came out, Nielsen and Stallone were together. So, who was Stallone married to in the reality of 'BHC2'? It's a good question isn't it. Does the villain just look like her?
:shruggage:

innerSpaceman · 05-23-2006, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

. It is not vital to the story to have Hanks work at FedEx. The story would not lose anything if he worked for a company by another name.

I cannot even read the rest of the thread, or even this post, before commenting.

You, Sir, are a fraud. You have never seen Cast Away.

Not Afraid · 05-23-2006, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

It's an interesting question - how much reality do you want in your storytelling?

Chris and I were just discussing this question the other day. I think what brought it up was his recent Inspiration story and the "meaning" or "possible meanings" for the Crow and Charlie. Maybe it's because some of my favorite authors are "magical realists" and blur the lines of reality, but I LIKE to have my lines blurred. I like to have more questions to ponder than difinitive answers. I like a good mix of both reality and un-reality.

This can easily carry over to my feelings - or lack thereof - on product placement. Murakami regularly mentions Disney-realted things as well as pop-culture icons in ways that are jarring, but meant to be so. His reality references seem to punch out the magical realism of the story for a moment which is wonderfully jolting for the reader.

I have a strong desire to re-warch I <3 Huckabees or Adaptation again. I'm in a mood to ponder some more and those two films do a great job of questioning "reality".

Gemini Cricket · 05-23-2006, 11:08 AM

To me, commercials have no place in films nor movie theatres. Bleh and double bleh.

Not Afraid · 05-23-2006, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

To me, commercials have no place in films nor movie theatres. Bleh and double bleh.

But, is it a commercial or is it just something the character would do? If every product in a film was "fabricated" I would think the character and, possibly the film, would seem disingenious.

innerSpaceman · 05-23-2006, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

But, is it a commercial or is it just something the character would do?

Exactly the point.

Tom Hanks character in Cast Away is a high level manager with a world-wide delivery company who lives his life by the seconds of the clock. It is endemic to the story being told, both to his situation and his character. Working for FedEx is simply something his character would do. And a fictional company would just have taken everybody right out of the reality of the film.

At least, Robert Zemeckis thought so, and that's his perrogative. Since he has made quite a few of the best movies of all time, how 'bout we assume he just may have something there.

We'll have to just agree to disagree. But phone number 555-5555 bugs the crap out of me. It pulls me right out of the story being told. It's noticeable by its obvious artificiality.

05-23-2006, 10:32 AM	#4
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	It's an interesting question - how much reality do you want in your storytelling? Should the president's name be correct or fictional? Which movie stars "exist" and which don't due to acting in the film itself? I love when movies play with that and have the actor exist anyway, so you have an actor saying that he hates himself or whatever. I can't think of an example off the top of my head. More on realism: On Family Guy, Stewie travels to the future. Stewie: "Everything looks the same!" Future Stewie: "What did you expect, it's only been thirty years." __________________ The second star to the right shines in the night for you
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05-23-2006, 11:08 AM	#8
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	To me, commercials have no place in films nor movie theatres. Bleh and double bleh.
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