Much has been debated over what fuels producers, screenwriters, directors, and actors in their quest to deliver the finest storytelling. Yet, one need only to look back a few decades to notice how audience appetite was satisfied with outer space dilemmas or even common, mundane concerns. Clint Eastwood, Michael Douglas, Arnold Schwarzenegger are names that come to mind when retreating back to determine what drove legions of viewers to the silver screen or the television screen. Eastwood and Douglas both acted as the cop on the beat (Dirty Harry and Streets of San Francisco) and eventually starred in roles on the complete opposite side of the law (Escape from Alcatraz and Wall Street), respectively. Schwarzenegger initially capitalized on villainy (Terminator, Conan the Barbarian) and then showed a softer side in Kindergarten Cop as well as other comedic jaunts. Explore the impulse for this effective formula of screenplay, whether at home, abroad, or any distant time or place. On what basis does the actor make the decision to reverse his posture throughout his career or, as is most often the case, venture onto the director chair or embark on political agendas (Ronald Reagan, Shirley Temple)?
There is something here that could be good. Focusing on what brings about change regarding, say, a few actors- how they try to adapt or try to remain consistent to their images. – Joseph Cernik6 years ago
A significant number of the longest running shows on television today belong to the crime drama/police procedural genre. I'm thinking Criminal Minds, CSI, and NCIS. What is it about the genre that is so appealing and sustaining on network television? Is there something unique to this genre that comedy sitcoms or other styles of drama don't have? Is it the format of the shows or does it have to do with the crime, itself?
I definitely think this is a topic worth pursuing. I constantly wonder how these shows are still on! There are so many, I don't even know the difference between them. I think it has something to do with the crime itself and that we get to put on our "detective shoes" and try our hand at solving a crime--even a fictional one. I think there's some sort of appeal to that. – Christina9 years ago
I feel as though television shows such as Criminal Minds, CSI and NCIS romanticize crime which is already a very attractive element in today's society. Crime shows today add mystery and glamour to situations that would not regularly be attractive in real life. They promote "mean world syndrome". – Hanfanrachxo9 years ago
People are fascinated by the hidden side of our natures. It is always interesting to see what happens when the facade or the polite mask is peeled away. Sometimes it shows the hero underneath or other times shows the sinister aspects of our characters. Sometime it shows we can be both hero and villan. When the good guys always win in the end, it reassures us that the world is a safe place. Maybe in an era when the lines between perpetrators and victims, good guys and bad guys are not so clear, shows that have a clear line between good and evil help us deal with our real life demons. Munjeera – Munjeera9 years ago
