Daniel Bessner, a writer and historian known for his insights on Hollywood's evolution, discusses the dangerous shift from creativity to capitalism in the film industry. He highlights how financial motivations are overtaking artistic expression, turning Hollywood into a franchise-focused landscape. Bessner explores the precarious state of television storytelling, the challenges faced by creators amid rising costs, and the impact of class stratification. Despite the grim realities, he finds a glimmer of hope for the future of innovative storytelling.
The shift in Hollywood's focus from creative storytelling to profit maximization has undermined opportunities for original narratives and artistic integrity.
Economic downturns and financial interventions have transformed writers' careers, leading to unstable opportunities and a widening class divide in the industry.
Deep dives
The Shift in Hollywood's Focus
Hollywood has increasingly shifted its focus from creative storytelling to maximizing profits, significantly affecting the film industry. The discussion highlights how the traditional studio system allowed for a more stable career path for writers and creators, particularly in the 1990s and early 2000s, with popular shows like 'The Sopranos' and 'Sex and the City' emerging during this era. However, as financial influences entered Hollywood through conglomerates and private equity firms, the emphasis on profit over creativity became more pronounced, squeezing out opportunities for original storytelling. This transformation has led to a rise in franchise-based content, often at the expense of unique narratives that once thrived in a more regulated industry.
Economic Factors Impacting Careers
The podcast explores the economic downturns and changes in the financial landscape that have drastically affected writers' careers in Hollywood. Events like the dot-com crash and the 2007-2008 Great Recession led to unprecedented financial interventions, resulting in a cash influx for investors but also a squeeze on labor costs in the entertainment sector. As a consequence, many writers find it increasingly challenging to establish stable careers due to the rise of the gig economy and a growing class divide, where only those with financial backing can afford to pursue opportunities in the industry. This shift signals a significant transformation, moving away from a diverse workforce towards an environment dominated by affluent individuals.
Cultural Consequences of Financialization
Financialization has not only transformed the economic structure of Hollywood but has also impacted the quality and diversity of content produced. As big studios pivot toward safer, franchise-driven projects, innovative and riskier storytelling has declined, leading to a homogenization of offerings. While some recent shows and films, such as 'Barbie,' showcase creative potential when given freedom, the overall trend suggests a troubling pattern where artistic integrity is often sacrificed for predictable financial returns. Writers face increased pressure to conform to market demands, resulting in a challenging landscape for original programming and leading to concerns about the future of creative content in the industry.
What is the point of Hollywood? There are two obvious answers, right? To make good stuff that entertains people. And to make money for the big studios and the people who work for them.
Those two things don’t have to be mutually exclusive. But writer Daniel Bessner believes increasingly they have been.
Bessner spent a year working on a deep dive into how Hollywood has evolved for Harper’s Magazine, called “The Life and Death of Hollywood”. Bessner is also a historian and host of the podcast “American Prestige”. He spoke to host Jayme Poisson last April.
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