Content is king…

Don’t get me wrong.

I love a good story. Some of the best have made the leap from tales told by a camp fire and making their way from generation to generation; then onto the printed paged to be read and enjoyed; and perhaps onto the stage with actors (and actresses) bringing the tale to life in their own way with each new performance; maybe in song instead of just the spoken word; maybe the tale is told cinematically, shared among the viewing by audiences in yet another new experience; perhaps animated films drawn and colored by artists, with voice talents adding to the story in another medium; or even with the aid of the latest tools in computer visualization bringing us to places we have never seen before.

At the core, it is the telling of a story to an audience, even an audience of one.

I understand that the authors of a tale carefully craft that from first to last. In the end, that tale goes forth from those creators to stand on its own. Be it any medium you wish, that’s pretty much the way it used to be. Walt Disney commented once how a film was released to an audience and that was the end of the process. You couldn’t go back and make changes. That’s one of the things he looked forward to as Disneyland grew and evolved. He could make changes, reacting to guest preferences. Even something as simple as a path could become a walkway if that is what guests wanted.

In the world of film (and even television), once upon a time, when the product was complete it went forth and stood on it’s own merits. Either audiences liked something or they didn’t. Stories have been retold time and again. Films have had different versions of stories produced. Some better than others, finding favor with the audiences in ways that seem new and fresh. Some worse and leaving audiences wondering why they spent their money after all.

In recent years, technology has allowed what I think best called “tinkering”. First it was colorization of black and white films; some less successfully than others. Then with the growth of digital imaging came the addition of effects to create what may not have been possible when the film was originally created. George Lucas gets a share of blame for his digital editions of Star Wars. Cleaning up scenes to eliminate some of the limitations of 1970’s film making tools, I get. But to change plot points (Han shot first) and add sequences to fit an updated vision seems gratuitous at best. Yet I also understand how technology can help. Star Trek The Motion Picture was a disaster with special effects not completed in time for the film’s premiere. Instead sequences were slowed down to take advantage of what effects they did have. When director Robert Wise was allowed to go back and tighten the film in a Directors Cut with modern effects, the final product is improved. (Even though it still relies on a lot of model porn…)

I know, I am a curmudgeon. I like what I like. “Casablanca” with Bogart and Bacall. Other versions? No thank you very much… While I appreciate work that goes into films today, I find myself often asking, “Why the remake?” Take the current fad at Disney of making live action versions of animated films. Yes, they may find an audience, but at what cost? Once upon a time, the company would release films every seven years back into theaters. New generations enjoyed films and the company only had the cost of promotion and distribution along with a few new prints as needed. Costs were lower than a new film and profits were money easily made.

Understand this was all before home video and video on demand. With Disney finally opening the vaults to it’s upcoming streaming service, all of that content will now generate income and continue to generate income as product is enjoyed on all kinds of platforms beyond the theater.

Yet, I wonder why Disney as a leader in entertainment will not look for more original content?

Remakes may seem cheap with little or no investment in development costs on one side. And I know that the company has history of recycling, as animation from one film would find it’s way into another. A few projects in the 70’s had entire sequences recycling drawings.

Part of the success of services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon and others is that they do go with original content. They do something new that takes audiences off in different and unexpected directions.

One can’t overlook that Disney has invested in properties like Star Wars and Marvel that they know audiences like. Franchises like the Pirates films draw movie goers. But within those stories, there are other stories waiting to be told. And you can’t accuse Disney of not going out there. Star Wars has had some very successful animated projects. Marvel has had some good television as well, such as Agent Carter and Agents of Shield. So, while I doubt the last will be seen of either, I do wish for more originality

Every day, folks are out there pitching what they hope may be the latest and greatest, hoping against hope that someone will come along with funding to bring the project to production and distribution. As audiences, we help make that happen by watching new shows and new films on one of the myriad of available platforms. You can help by supporting that new content. Be it film, television, printed page, live performance or streaming service. Your conspicuous consumption does make the difference.

All I can say is, keep it up folks. As long as you consume it. the product will keep coming.