Hey World, Movie Stars Are People Too
In 2013, the global box office brought in 35.9 billion dollars. 35.9 BILLION DOLLARS! That’s 6.5 billion more dollars than in 2009, and the numbers are rising in 2014. That’s a lot of money, a lot of movies, and a lot of people attending movies. You may ask yourself ,what is this infatuation that the world has with movies? Why is it that people are 362% more likely go to a movie theater rather than a theme park or a sporting event? While there are many answers to this question, one answer has and continues to influence and impact the people of the world in a demeaning and drastically negative way. The answer? Movie stars.
Believe it or not, the movie industry did not always thrive off of and rely on a single actor or actress being the “main character” to drive in a profit. John Vivian, a mass communication scholar, states “early moviemakers kept their actors’ names secret” in order to discourage a fan base that may cause the actors to demand higher pay. However, all of this changed in 1912 when Adolph Zukor targeted the most-mentioned actors in his movies and built what is now called the star system. This star system has developed into a “god” like worship of many famous celebrities. This infatuation with celebrities has given the world necessities such as
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It is safe to say that the world loves the stars that movie makers create, and the stars love the attention that the world gives them….
Or do they?
Although the superficial appearance of movie stars reveal a person soaring on the wings of wealth, popularity, and “the good life,” a closer look reveals something different. These stars that we, the people, adore, look up to, and model our lives after are real, normal people. (No, unfortunately Will Ferrell doesn’t actually survive off of the four main food groups of candy, candy cane, candy corn and syrup). These normal people go through things like divorce (actress Zsa Zsa Gabor has been divorced 9 times), work (many actors do not even get a day off of work depending on the number of movies), and death. It is this last fact that brings us, the world that lifts stars on a pedestal and raise them around like a banner, to a somber discussion. Following the suicide of Robin Williams, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline received an obvious increase in calls, specifically from people within five years of Williams age. This same thing was recorded in 1962 the year Marilyn Monroe committed suicide. To make matters worse, the news is drawn towards these people, thus projecting to everyone that “insert depressed star here” has committed suicide. How long did it take you to find out that Robin Williams committed suicide? Well, if you haven’t heard, now you know.
Although we have only skimmed the surface of the intricacies behind being a star in a star thirsty nation, one must ponder: what is the effect of having the spotlight on your life so much so that you can’t even go on a walk downtown without being mobbed? Although none of us will probably ever be able to answer this question, the effects of the star system must be addressed by the people of the world, as the people of the word create and drive this wreck-less, out of control, god-like being called the star. The next time that you sit down to watch a movie, hug a celebrity cardboard cut out, or order a “Buddy the Elf” bobble head, just remember, movie stars are people too.
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