Fame

Last week the American box office smash hit remake of Fame came to our screens in the UK. The original Fame was a classic film and one that many people either studying performing arts or working in performing arts have seen. So I thought it only right that I comment on it in this week’s blog.

I’ve seen the original and last week saw the new release and although I loved the original I do still like the remake. I think the way they have adapted it has made it relevant for young people today and focuses on a lot of the problems people in the performing arts world have trying to make it in the business.

I will try not to spoil too much of what happens but for those unfamiliar with Fame it centres around a handful of students who attend the most recognized performing arts school in the country which happens to be in New York. The film follows the individual characters from auditioning to get in to school to graduation and showing how the quest for fame changes and affects each of them.

Coming out of the film I felt very uplifted. In a current culture of people wanting to be famous more than they want to be talented and the rise of reality TV I think it put performing arts back in to perspective. The film showed that fame doesn’t always equal happiness and that you can love your talent without having to be famous for doing it. It showed that success isn’t about becoming famous it is about being happy which is a message many young people need to hear as sometimes some people can become to obsessed with becoming famous.

So if you can please go and check out this film it is very much worth a watch.

Adam Sibley
Founder of the Talented Young People organisation
www.talentedyoungpeople.com
"Envisage it, Believe it, Achieve it!"
”Shaking up the Youth of Today”

http://www.talentedyoungpeople.blogspot.com

The BAFTA's

In what was tipped to be the biggest film awards night of the year before the Writers Guild of America called an end to their strike this week to safeguard the Oscars Ceremony the BAFTA’s took place last weekend.

Now for those of you who don’t know BAFTA stands for British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Now I am all for awarding and celebrating talent, brilliance and creativity but my problem with these awards is that there were only a few British nominations in the main categories and even fewer British winners.

In today’s world we need to continue to improve cohesion and links between countries but that doesn’t mean we should promote those other countries talent before promoting our own talent. The American awards evening the Oscars promote American film talent before any other country so why can’t we do the same with British film talent in Britain. Yes by all means have an international category but more needs to be done to promote home grown talent with more categories that are strictly for British talent.

The one problem at the moment is that many films are being branded or referred to as British like Bourne Ultimatum, Harry Potter and James Bond when they are funded, directed or produced by American companies or talent. Now I know American film houses have the money and the power in the international film market which isn’t going to change but I feel British film is at an important stage where it needs to keep a foothold in the film market.

To get public interest in an awards ceremony and to have a fair representation of the last year in the film industry you have to involve the American film scene but more needs to be done to make sure these awards are used to promote British film and it not just being remembered and talked about for the American winners. The one reason I am in favour of American films and actors being recognised at the awards is if it inspires a young British viewer of the awards ceremony to get involved in film which will end up helping the British film scene in the long run.

Like I mentioned earlier the Writers Guild of America this week have come to an agreement to end their strikes. This is great news for film professionals or young people trying to get in to film as people can now start going back to work. The strike was also good for talented young writers as there is now even greater financial stability and incentives to work in the industry. Now I know we are British but like I have commented on with America having so much control if you want to become a film writer there is a good chance you will end up working with an American company at some point.

One thing that is for sure is that with the strikes and awards ceremonies the film industry is the most talked about industry in entertainment which is hopefully getting young people interested and inspired to work in the industry.

What did you think of the BAFTA’s? We here at Talented Young People want to know and you can share your thoughts by visiting our topic of the week by going to:

http://www.talentedyoungpeople.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=351

Adam Sibley
Founder of the Talented Young People organisation
www.talentedyoungpeople.com
"Envisage it, Believe it, Achieve it!"

http://www.talentedyoungpeople.blogspot.com