The Town with Matthew Belloni Is Hollywood Screwing Up Male Characters?
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Oct 9, 2024 Fergus Navaratnam-Blair, an author of an NRG study on male character evolution, joins to explore how Hollywood’s portrayal of masculinity is shifting. He discusses the changing role models for young men, highlighting their preference for superheroes and digital influencers over traditional icons. The conversation delves into the importance of creating relatable and emotionally vulnerable characters that resonate with today's audiences. Fergus also addresses the challenges of balancing traditional masculinity with modern expectations in storytelling.
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Unrealistic Role Models
- Young men primarily cite superhero and fantasy characters as role models.
- This suggests Hollywood presents an unattainable vision of masculinity.
Appealing Male Characters
- Successful male characters often have traditionally masculine jobs (soldiers, firefighters).
- Deeper themes include male friendship, collaboration, and recovering from failure.
Influence of Fiction
- Fictional characters still significantly influence young people.
- However, top male role models are overwhelmingly superheroes or fantastical beings, unlike female role models.
