The Star System

The star system

How do you decide what films to watch?

• There are many reasons as to why the audience would go see a film. Normally its because who makes the film ( Director), sometimes its because of the story itself and how it is sold to the audience ( trailers, posters).

• Another reason would be because of who the film has starring in it and Star theory considers this issue.

Christine Gledhill

Fundamental in developing 'Star Theory'

Four key points.....

• Stars as capital value
• Stars as Construct
• Stars as Deviant
• Stars as Cultural value

1) Stars as Capital Value

• i.e they make money for the film companies
• Films with stars will make more money than films without stars ( even if they're the same film)
• How much are they worth? How much can they make for the studio?
• They add monetary value to the film and reduce the risk of loss

2) Stars as Construct

• They are very much involved in there mythification. How might they be involved?
• Christine Gledhill wrote that stars reach us 'through their bodies'
• We want to know the 'real' and 'reel'. If we go to the film we will learn who they really are ( real person, reel person - persona i.e a combination of both)

3) Stars as Deviant

• They live their lives to excess, outside the normal rules of behaviour
• This adds to our interest ( identification, wish fulfilment)

4) Stars as Cultural Value

• 'Stars signify moral, social and ideological values'.
• i.e they tell us what they think, what is right and wrong, how to behave and even how we should look and what our culture should be like

Appeal of Hollywood stars

• Certain stars can be an indicator as to the type of film you're about to see ( i.e Hugh grant - typical romcom)
• Typecasting - Johnny Depp, Stranger roles such as Willy Wonka, the mad hatter ect.
• Sam Worthington - archetype hero, blockbuster film, good v evil
• Some stars are an indicator of a films quality - some will only appear in the best
• Some stars help to increase publicity of a films release by doing interviews and press junkets; raise awareness and excitement surrounding the film. Constantly in the media promoting.

British Stars

• If it is an appeal of a star that attracts an audience, British films use British stars.
• Colin Firth, Helena Bonham - carter, Bill Nighy, Alan Rickman and Christopher Lee ect
• Why don't these films appeal as much? - Not as common, cinema is dominated by Hollywood films, therefor Hollywood stars.
• Some. such as Robert Pattinson, cross over into Hollywood.

Hollywood Domination

• Most films are made by Hollywood as the main distribution companies are Hollywood based such as Universal studios, Paramount, Warner Bros and will feature American stars.
• As a result of this there is a wider choice of American films with American stars rather than British films, therefore, Hollywood films attract a wider audience.
• There is less opportunity for British films/ stars to achieve recognition.