Let Us Extol Its Many Virtues
The many virtues of TV, that is. Theresa says it feeds our creativity. Is that true? I think so. Movies, sitcoms, reality TV, shoot-em-up dramas--they're all a way of examining the human experience through stories. We can learn things about story structure, plot and characterization through even bad TV shows.
Which shows feed our creativity most? I personally find myself most able to examine plot structure (definitely not one of my creative strengths, that plotting thing) while watching action or Sci Fi movies. I don't get emotionally invested in the characters, because there usually isn't much character development, so I start zoning out and considering the plot elements. Same with any other movie that doesn't engage me completely.
It also helps me to watch something several times. Once to get caught up in the story, and the next time to examine it.
What's your favorite TV indulgence? What's your favorite movie? (Mine's Love Actually, because it does such a great job of showing love in its many stages and unconventional forms.)
posted by Jamie Sobrato @ 12:15 PM
13 Comments:
I'm a goofball when it comes to entertainment. I really like sci-fi, and I am a sucker for comic book movies. X-men, Spiderman-- Looooooooooooved Batman Begins. I guess it comes with growing up with three brothers.
But since my chosen genre in writing is fantasy, it really does fuel my creativity. If a show or a movie is really good, I just sit there and think, "wow, I wish I had thought of that." And I often wonder how on earth people come up with some of their ideas; the more outlandish one's anyway.
But the TV can cut both ways. It can be a drain on the creativity if you're just zoning out and putting your brain in neutral, which is what I think my husband does....but we won't go there.
And shows like Survivor don't exactly have a plot, though you could get some great character ideas from that show!
But I do go on....
Oh I do want to mention my new "favorite" show. My Name Is Earl is the funniest thing I've seen on TV in awhile. Love that show.
Gack, Jamie, "Love, Actually?" Is that the bore set in London? Fell asleep watching it.
Cindy
My Name Is Earl is definitely worth investigating.
The premise is a guy named Earl, who is basically a redneck who's developed a consceince. He has an epiphany after winning $100k on a lotto ticket, and getting hit by a car immediately after. He decides bad things happen to him because of all the bad Karma he's built up over the years.
So he decides to make a list and atone for all the bad things he's done to people. It's really funny and well done.
Great romance movie? Okay, I just loved the one with Meg Ryan and Andy Garcia, where she was an alcoholic. Does that count? What was it called again? WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN?? I think that's it.
I also loved SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE.
I love romantic comedies, but I can't think of one right now....
Cindy
Oh, oh, oh!! SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE. LOVED it.
WEDDING CRASHERS. Gotta love Vince Vaughn in that. Did anyone wind up happy in that one? Does it qualify as a romantic movie?
Does ME, MYSELF AND IRENE qualify?
Cindy2
Me Myself and Irene.....I loved it when Jim Carrey asked Rene Zellweigger if her breasts were real.
I liked Shakespear in Love, but haven't seen Something's gotta give.
I watch very few romantic comedies, I think the last one I saw was How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.
Is it any wonder I don't want to write romance? It is a completely foreign concept to me. I am starting to feel sorry for my husband.
Who is the idiot who thinks this is a porn blog? Stop posting here.
Chinese cinema! When I was in school, a theater in town would run Chinese midnight movies. I saw loads of OLD Jackie Chan films (before he left Hong Kong). Have you seen "Kung Fu Hustle?" And "House of a Thousand Daggers?"
You know, I'm having issues with the Farrah hair lately. It seems the mere mention of it has my hair going on strike. I got it cut, and it is absolutely not cooperating.
But you gotta love the husband, he doesn't even notice the difference.
Jamie,
Yes, that's the one. Hilarious.
Cindy
Gawd, me, dancing? Nah. Unfortunately, I never made it to The Garage. Wish I had. I love to drink (Gimlets and Cosmos. Yum.) and I love to hang out. I'll just watch the dancin', though.
And I totally goofed on the title of the film. It was "House of Flying Daggers." Guess I had Victoria Holt on the brain with the whole thousand thing.
Not to keep droning on, but another good one by the film maker was "Hero" with Jet Li. I really liked that one.
Thanks, Jamie, for asking. I'm working on a series, The Elementals. It's about a group of woman in a "consulting" firm who possess elemental powers; earth, wind, fire and water. They often save the world from certain doom and kick a lot of ass along the way. It's first person thriller. Little bit chicklit-ish.
Oooooh, The Elementals, sounds right up my alley. I love Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Underwold series, so I'll be sure to check out yours when they come out.
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