If any of you are fans of cinema like me, you can appreciate how the hype surrounding the release of a particular movie, does what it is designed to do in most cases; it heightens our anticipation about seeing it and the heroes, heroines, or even anti-heroes that star in them. We love being entertained by a compelling story, especially if we can identify with a certain character by placing ourselves within the story.
Lots of movie buffs will sometimes fantasize about modifying a character's behavior to make them even more colorful, because the truth is, they are often traits we would prefer to see in ourselves.
When we go through this ritual, it seems to stoke an unconscious desire to become the protagonist in the film; someone who needs to arrive at a 'just conclusion' in whatever form it may manifest itself. As the story unfolds, we also sometimes have a tendency to excuse the moral and ethical lapses that are built-in to the character's personality, as long as their 'particular set of skills' makes them seem larger than life; in which case we will often romanticize about how much more colorful it makes them seem.
After the film is over and the credits begin to role, we may sit for a moment, then look to extract whatever socially redeeming value it was meant to convey, but in many instances there is none to be had. It is sometimes reduced to just being a dramatic, thrilling, or horrifying piece of cinema that simply entertained us for a couple of hours; but it was first and foremost a fantasy. It was fantasy mimicking reality, but maybe with a few wildly exaggerated sequences inserted for shock value that were meant to validate the outcome even more; which brings me to this next segment....
'Is it Live or is it Memorex?'
During the early 70's Memorex was one of the most famous producers of high fidelity consumer audio cassettes on the market. Some of you who are 'Older Heads' like me, may remember when jazz vocalist Ella Fitzgerald made that commercial which featured her live voice verses a recording; and the hook in the spot that caused sales for Memorex to skyrocket was this question, 'Is it Live or is it Memorex?'--The point being of course, that the quality of the audio was so good, it was hard to tell which version you were listening to.
In the entertainment industry in general, and with actors in particular, we sometimes identify more readily with characters portrayed by a favorite actor, than what that person may really be like when the cameras aren't rolling. With the help of social media platforms, entertainment news sources, talk forums and the like, we may get a snapshot of who they really are off camera. With all the help we may get though, to help us realize that what we've seen of that performer on the big screen is not a reflection of who they really are, it's still hard for some of us to separate fact from fiction.
That performer you may hold in such high regard often times will take the opportunity to defend their true character when questioned during talk forums, or by entertainment magazine personalities; especially if a particular portrayal as a narcissistic villain for instance runs counter to their own moral code. It becomes more imperative that their audience understands the role they may have played in that instance was simply that; a character in a play, and whatever liberties that character may have taken to justify their behavior in the story should not be taken literally. Most importantly, their behavior should not be upheld as an acceptable standard for anyone to use as a model.
The Merits of Authenticity
As much as I might like the various complexions of a character's behavior and how it makes them seem more colorful, I always acknowledge a few realities that apply to me, and perhaps with most of you, while the theme music is playing and the principle players' names flash across the screen at the beginning of the film:
1st - What I'm about to see is first and foremost a stylized work of fiction; that's created mainly for its entertainment value. When I alluded to previously in this post about watching the credits roll when the film was over, it is also the opportunity for the audience to see, first hand, all of the elements that took months to assemble for it to be brought to the screen; apart from the multi-million dollar budget needed to finance it, to the actors, directors, producers, props, special effects, stunts, editing, camera operators, screenwriters, and wardrobe. It's all manufactured to create a grand experience that entertains first, and if crafted well enough, will leave our impression of humanity with something worth cheering about.
2nd - I must be grounded well enough in my own values as the standard from which to evaluate what I'm viewing, and not allow an opening for the content or subject matter to influence me in such a way that I might begin to question the validity of my beliefs. For instance, it's one thing to identify with the hostility or aggressiveness of a character in order to vent without acting out, but another thing entirely to adapt that type of behavior as your own. Relying on our 'True North' when it comes to the best, and most sensible behavior means our conscious always participates in helping us choose the right kind of conduct when we interact with one another.
3rd - What you See is what you Get means that the ideal is to project to others the certainty that your response or reactions are fairly predictable. It conveys to them the idea that you are well grounded, and not so flamboyant that you feel the need to constantly alter (or Edit) your behavior for the sake of popularity. Don't get caught in the 'Knock-off Trap' because you'll find yourself trying to defend a version of 'You' that sooner or later will cast you as a 'cheap imitation' that never manages to distinguish you, and shelters the real gifts you may have to offer.
4th - Standing Firm in your fundamental beliefs means being in touch with your moral and ethical standards that will dictate your conduct in every circumstance. When a film you may have watched or material you may have read, or even a person you may encounter depicts an unsavory side of human nature, most of us have probably on occasion flirted with wanting to trade places with that character, or person, especially if they appeal to our sense of fairness or equity because of their ability to articulate them. At the same time though, we may conveniently ignore a host of character flaws in them we'd rather do without. Be secure in the knowledge that the strength of your own character is your real fallback position that becomes activated when the threat of it being violated rears its head.
Getting rid of the masks that seem to hold you hostage is one challenge.
Discovering the extent of your gifts is the other; but both are probably needed to produce the best version of You...Be Blessed
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