Do Filmmakers Have Responsibilities?
Devonte Washington
Communications 280
11 November 27, 2012
Useful Junk
Almost every American has been to see a movie at the theatres. We grab a bag of popcorn, candy, and a soda and head into the theatre to find good seats. As we sit into those comfy theatre chairs we start to sink into our movie watcher mode. Soaking up every action, line, joke, sad moment and every movement till the very end. We then leave while the credits are still rolling and then get into our cars and head home. We have covered our responsibilities as a viewer, but what responsibility does the filmmaker hold or needs to accomplish? Did I laugh? Was I surprised when I was supposed to be? Was the plot very clear? Did I get the overall message of the movie? These are all questions that can be asked. So, does the filmmaker have responsibilities?
Some people may say the filmmakers don’t have responsibilities, to a movie goer like myself I say yes. The filmmaker definitely has some responsibilities. One of the biggest responsibilities the filmmaker has in my eyes is to make sure the viewer sees the message in the movie. Meaning, once the movie is over the viewers should be able to identify the moral value the movie has. Any movie ever made has had a message to it, even if it’s a comedy or a children’s movie. An example of filmmakers fulfilling their responsibilities of relaying a clear message is the movie Shawshank Redemption. The message in the movie was hope, friendship, and suffering in life. In the movie a guy goes to jail and meets a lot of people and helps them all out while he is serving his time and at the end of the movie he ends up braking out of jail and then turning around helping his friend get out of jail. The message in this movie is very well portrayed and one may even begin to have feelings for the characters. Overall the filmmakers took care of their responsibilities.
Another responsibility the filmmaker has is to develop a good flowing plot. When we watch movies the
Communications 280
11 November 27, 2012
Useful Junk
Almost every American has been to see a movie at the theatres. We grab a bag of popcorn, candy, and a soda and head into the theatre to find good seats. As we sit into those comfy theatre chairs we start to sink into our movie watcher mode. Soaking up every action, line, joke, sad moment and every movement till the very end. We then leave while the credits are still rolling and then get into our cars and head home. We have covered our responsibilities as a viewer, but what responsibility does the filmmaker hold or needs to accomplish? Did I laugh? Was I surprised when I was supposed to be? Was the plot very clear? Did I get the overall message of the movie? These are all questions that can be asked. So, does the filmmaker have responsibilities?
Some people may say the filmmakers don’t have responsibilities, to a movie goer like myself I say yes. The filmmaker definitely has some responsibilities. One of the biggest responsibilities the filmmaker has in my eyes is to make sure the viewer sees the message in the movie. Meaning, once the movie is over the viewers should be able to identify the moral value the movie has. Any movie ever made has had a message to it, even if it’s a comedy or a children’s movie. An example of filmmakers fulfilling their responsibilities of relaying a clear message is the movie Shawshank Redemption. The message in the movie was hope, friendship, and suffering in life. In the movie a guy goes to jail and meets a lot of people and helps them all out while he is serving his time and at the end of the movie he ends up braking out of jail and then turning around helping his friend get out of jail. The message in this movie is very well portrayed and one may even begin to have feelings for the characters. Overall the filmmakers took care of their responsibilities.
Another responsibility the filmmaker has is to develop a good flowing plot. When we watch movies the