6 minute read
The Importance of Cinema in Preserving Artistry Akshay Prasad
The Importance of Cinema in Preserving Artistry
By Akshay Prasad
Advertisement
Art, by its most basic definition, is an expression of self through an artist’s creative skill and imagination. This expression presents itself in many different ways and is most apparent in the forms of media we consume. From the music we listen to, to the shows and movies we watch, artistry is something that surrounds and shapes us. It is almost impossible to imagine a world where your favorite musician does not exist, or where your favorite movie never came to fruition, which goes to show the lasting effects of art on your day to day life. This fact is important to note because what it means is that we are not only exposed to the piece of media itself, but also the themes and messages conveyed through it. Due to this, media, and particularly movies, plays a huge role in the ideals and messages we currently follow and ones that will be followed for generations to come. On top of this, an appreciation for films shows an appreciation towards the creative processes involved in their production. This includes everything from the brainstorming and writing of an idea, to the painstaking work involved with filming a movie. As time goes on, it is important to give attention to films that keep pushing the boundaries of creativity because they lead to the progression of art and preserve it for future generations.
When looking at how cinema presents themes and messages, we can evaluate how they are conveyed through the means of film itself. In short, we can look more deeply into what is being shown on the screen to take away valuable societal lessons. There are many ways in which this can be done, as there are a great many things that can be picked apart. For example, let’s take a look at “Get Out” by Jordan Peele. When looking at the story and examining its themes, we can see the plot serves as a metaphor for the African-American experience in America. The synopsis of the movie goes as follows: members of a prestigious white family, who are obsessed with
“Either way, black culture, believe black bodies are superior to white ones. Due to this, the these ideas are a elderly members of the family transplant themselves into young African-American benchmark for individuals to live longer lives through a supposedly physically superior body. creativity and While their actions are due to a belief that being black is “superior” to being provide the start white, the family in the film fails to truly understand the Black experience within for the movie- America and all the hardships that come with it. This portrays the unhealthy making process.” obsession with black culture stemming from those outside of that community and how this is a form of racism in and of itself. The film, whilst harboring these themes within its core, is presented in the format of a horror/thriller movie with elements of comedy in it. This is an example of the beautifully interwoven artistry that is apparent through the medium of film. What is shown on screen captivates and intrigues the general audience through its use of filmmaking techniques, which then allows for this underlying theme to sweep in and stamp itself upon an audience’s consciousness for a very long time. The importance of cinema in preserving artistry goes beyond looking at what is presented on screen to the general audience. We can go behind the scenes of the
18 ASIAN OUTLOOK
final product and look at the production of these movies to understand what is worth preserving for the future. Afterall, behind every great movie is a great idea. This idea can be derived from a single person thinking for the scope of a niche, fanatical movie watching audience, or it can come from a collective entity of like-minded individuals coming up with a product for a more casual Hollywood audience. Either way, these ideas are a benchmark for creativity and provide the start for the movie making process. Following this idea, an individual or team of writers has to come up with a screenplay for the movie, which extends the mark of creativity even further. We then get to things such as presenting the screenplay to a board of directors who have to approve it which, following a positive approval, goes to the stages of casting. Past all of this, we get to the actual filming of the movie, where the hard work and creativity of everyone involved takes place. Directors, who spearhead the filming of a project, can take creative liberties or make certain decisions that take a film down an artistic avenue of their own design. Actors can do the same, and whether they choose to deviate artistically from the source screenplay or not, they have to work just as hard to make a film succeed. Everyone else who works on a film, from the set directors to the make-up artists and everyone in between, works extremely hard on these grueling projects. This is a way that cinema preserves artistry. All of the behind-the-scenes action that happens in order to make a final project is an art in itself. By supporting cinema, you are supporting the artistry that happens behind the scenes just as much as what’s on the screen.
When thinking about artistry in general and how it affects your life, I will present a scenario for you. Try imagining a life where your favorite song never came out, or where your favorite television series never existed. What you are probably thinking is something along the lines of “that is impossible for me to do,” or “I really can’t imagine my life without these forms of art.” Even if you could get past these questions, you probably would feel as if you are missing something in your life. You will definitely, in the absence of forms of media such as movies and songs, have less to talk about amongst friends and even family. You will also have less to reference and think about when societal issues are brought up to the forefront of our collective consciousness. This goes to show the effect and importance of media on our normal, everyday lives. It is ever-present, and even when we are not thinking about it, it is always going to be there for us to observe and draw from. Due to movies being a huge part of our culture, it is important to keep them as artistically challenging as possible. Audiences who gravitate towards these movies are now not only seeing a casual, fun film that helps to pass the time, but they are also being challenged mentally to think progressively about the themes being presented and the processes involved in making a film. At the end of the day, cinema is important in preserving artistry because of its popularity and ability to reach a wide audience. Art, to a certain degree, makes up who we are, and with this ability to reach this many people, it is important to keep a high level of care for the craft. My name is Akshay Prasad and if you enjoyed this article and you enjoy films, make sure to check out my radio show “The Cinema Spot” on Binghamton’s own radio station WHRW 90.5 FM!
Image from Universal Pictures
