Back from UK, NY, & MA/ Thoughts on Hollywood Today

   It’s good to be home in CA after five weeks on the road teaching Screenwriting and The Way of Story workshops at British Film Institute in London and other venues abroad.

      Thoughts of Hollywood today as I met with filmmakers abroad. Despite the economic climate now in America, Hollywood is making billions of dollars on varioius blockbusters and franchises. It had become usual for Studios to choose scripts which carried the potential of video games and other franchises. Now the recent hit, Prince of Persia is a feature film adapted from a video game.

   I can only share a hope and concern that the quality of films rise as well along with the computer graphic displays. That story and character will be once again a focus in spite of 3-D extravaganzas. Where are the Lawrence of Arabia or Doctor Zhivago, or am I too old fashioned for today’s film fans? Where are the stories focused on people and not only bloodshed? Where are the stories which move the heart, right social wrongs, and transform the soul?

     Perhaps the hope of the art of film lies not in Hollywood but with the rising independent film movement all over the world. Technology has provided the potential to create a feature film on a limited budget (if you can find help distributing!). There film may still be considered an art form and there expressions of an individual vision is still possible.

      Catherine Ann Jones www.wayofstory.com