Movie studios employed performers under long-term contracts. They developed a star system as a means of endorsing, sponsoring and selling their movies. “Star vehicles” were filmed and recorded to flaunt their particular talents and charms and fascination of the most popular movie stars of the studio.
Traditionally, those who encompassed, or achieved, star status in the movie industry are given special treatment, perks and high salaries. Some have become extremely wealthy.
Other than those movie stars who commenced in forming and developing their own production companies to make more money and getting rich, and those who received a proportion of the proceeds to star in a movie such as Lana Turner for Imitation of Life (1959), reaping and acquiring millions of dollars, the first and primary movie star to be paid a fee of $1,000,000 to star in a movie was Elizabeth Taylor for Cleopatra (1963). For his appearance and emergence in the 1978 movie Superman, movie star Marlon Brando received almost $4,000,000 for eight minutes of screen time as Superman’s father, Jor-El.
Movie Stars
Being a star is part of all theater. It appears to dominate and overlook the movie industry to a greater degree than it does in the theater. Nor is its effect restricted and prevented to the industry, since movie stars are among our most admired folk heroes and heroines. Extensive mythology has hoarded about them, and as in any society, myths, true or false, influence behavior. They abscond their influence on stars, would-be-stars; those who work with them and of course the fans and the audience.
Despite the fact that the star system has long been a significant part of movie production, it was not instigated by the studios. In early days, the names of the leading actors were not even publicized and members of the audience wrote to the studios for information about their favorites. The studios did not at first persuade this spontaneous fan mail because they are in trepidation that actors would someday demand more money if they knew about their popularity. However, the studios realized that popularity of a star could be exploited, even if salaries did go up. From this small beginning grew a gargantuan system which has deep upshots on the making of movies and leaves its effect on the society.
From a business point of view, there are many rewards in the star system. The star has tangible features which can be advertised and marketed – a face, a body, a pair of legs, a voice, a certain kind of personality, real or synthetic – and can be typed as a wicked villain, the honest hero, the fatal sire, the sweet young girl, the neurotic woman. The system provides a formula easy to understand and has made the production of movies seem more just like another business. The use of this formula may serve also to protect the executives from talent and from having to pay much attention to such ethereal as the quality of story or of acting. Here is a homogeneous product which they can understand, which can be advertised and sold, and which not only they, but also banks and exhibitors, regards as insurance for large profits. The use of this formula may also give a psychological security to men who know little about the art of storytelling. It is, therefore, logical, from the point of view of studio executives, to build up and exaggerate the star system.
Stars do not fall into any single category. Among them are handsome men and beautiful women and those with pleasant everyday faces, tough heroes and gentle ones, straight comedians and song-and-dance ones, character actors, all ages from children to those past middle age, actors with great talent and those with very little. To stay on top for a long period, the actors must appeal to both sexes. It is said that male stars do this compared to females. On the other hand, the popularity of child actors may be due in part to the fact that their fans included both sexes and all ages. It is impossible to know exactly why any particular actor makes the top bracket in popularity. It may be his personality, his acting, his role, and the amount of exploitation by the studio or any combination of these factors.
There is considerable mythology concerning how stars are made, particularly the female ones. Many of the myths are concerned with Cinderella tales of how a beautiful girl is snatched from some humdrum position by a perceptive producer, win a contract, and become a star overnight. In a primitive society, it is difficult to determine the degree of truth in myths and folk tales. It is said that in Hollywood or even in other studios, it is quite possible to find out how stars are actually made, and to contrast this with the mythology. Most everyone concerned with the making of movies is aware that the quickest and surest way to become a star is to be asked to come to Hollywood after being successful on Broadway. This means being an actor of distinction, or at least, of considerable ability. But there are many movie stars who have not come from Broadway, and it is about them that myths circulate. Not all however are successful after coming in Hollywood. The success tales are, of course, not the same for each star. A combined list of the success ingredients in all of them would include photogenic looks, a personality that clicks, sleeping with the right person or persons, publicity, knowing the right people and playing the social game, perseverance, ability, good roles, and breaks.
While looks are important, great or classical beauty is not vital and crucial to being a star. Much emphasis is put on being photogenic, but it is impossible to get into a compromise on what this quality is. Opinions range from its being due to the bone structure of the face to the sexiness. It is a fact that individual vary considerably in how well they photograph, and those who depend primarily on their vitality or some indefinable charm may not come off as well as others who rely on the shape of their features. But make-up, lights, and skilled camera work are often as important as features. It is difficult to define sexy quality which comes through on the screen and which is necessary for all movie actors, whether hero or villain. Figure, gait, voice are important. But the real personality may have little to do with the matter because some actresses known for their sexiness on screen have a reputation for being nymphomaniacs, and others for being virginal. Even more difficult to define is what makes a personality click. Why did one of the earliest stars, Mary Pickford, become “America’s Sweetheart”? Why do adolescents rave about Frank Sinatra? Why has Bing Crosby become a universal favorite? Neither their looks or talents are outstanding, probably the camera has caught some quality which the audience loves.
Stardom
The Cinderella story of winning a beauty contest and immediately becoming a star is practically never true. Usually, stardom is not attained by the contest winner. When does it happen? It is after a long period of ups and downs. Example of this is a one young woman who had won a beauty contest in her home but waited seven years for a big part which made her into a star. She was extremely beautiful but was given only minor roles when she came to Hollywood. She was married at different times to two movie stars, but still did not get a big role. Finally she attained a good second lead in which she was successful. From here she went onto playing the lead and now she is a star. She had beauty, good marriages from a professional point of view, some ability, and the capacity to learn under good direction. But it took her seven years to reach her dreams.
This actress is an exception among the contest winners. Most of them never get further than making a test. Some manage to get bit parts but that is their limit. Most of them have to be content with showing off their figures in tight pants as waitresses in drive-in restaurants. But whatever they do, they feel it is impossible to go back home and face family friends with the fact that they failed and that the Cinderella myth did not work for them.
Argument on Not All Film Actors Are Stars
Entering in the showbiz world or the movie industry is what most people dreamed about of achieving in their near future. However, there is no set route to take if you want to become an actor. But, it is highly recommendable to seek professional training to get on in the world of acting. This will not necessarily put you ahead of many actors (as 86% have professional training) but failing to have such a qualification 'under your belt' could put you at a distinct disadvantage. It is not easy to enter such world as it is just like looking for a job where the employers would go after applicants who have those special qualities. What are these qualities? These include the physical. One should be attractive enough to suit the role she or he is to be given. Take for example, if they are looking for someone to take on the villain roles, they should look for someone who looks so intimidating, so strict. Another qualities is to have the special talents. It includes in general, singing, dancing and most importantly acting since this is all about in the movies. Then, one should also have the determination, the passion to do the job. For that way, it is easy to work on the script being given. There are people who might be lucky enough to enter in the moving industry. But not all of them would become famous or become a star eventually. It would take more years and more work to get recognized by the people surrounding them. To be a star requires many fans, many admirers because these people would look upon you. For them, you are their model. They want to be just like you, to have your beauty, to have your talent, your passion of work. It is not easy though because life always has to be tried and tested. We have to start from scratch before we can reach the gold. In other words, start as the infamous one; you keep on working even behind the scenes and sets. You get to experience being shouted by the director and being embarrassed in front of many people; you get to experience being in trouble and of course failure. From this experience we would learn many things about the essence of being a star. Also to become a star one has to get used to the publicity. Our private lives are very much invaded by the media. Wherever we are, wherever we hide, they are tailing us behind our back without our knowing. The lessons and mistakes learned in the past would serve as our strength so that we’ll know how to deal with stress and movie pressures in the future especially if one become famous. You have to learn how to deal media harassment, scandals and at the same time not ruining your reputation. So you see, being a star is not a piece of cake. Lot of efforts has to be done, lots of failures to face and fight upon. This what some movie actors are missing. Because of that, most of them are not known by the public at all. They are regarded as the silent actors. Because, they refuse to be challenged, they are just content with what they are; some also just give up easily and not fight for their ambition. So obviously, they are not able to achieve their goal—which is to become a superstar, a celebrity.
Conclusion
As mentioned in the argument above, not all film actors are stars. It takes gargantuan effort for an ordinary actor to become the most celebrated star known throughout the country or even to the word. One should remember that these people are those who tend to consider achievement important. They like to see results of their work and to use their strongest abilities. They like to get a feeling of accomplishment from their work. They consider independence important for they like to make decisions and try out ideas on their own. These people prefer jobs where they can plan their work with little supervision. These people consider relationships important for they like to work in a friendly, non-competitive environment. They like to do things for other people. They prefer jobs where they are not pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong. They also consider recognition important and like to work in jobs in which job opportunities for them to advance, and be recognized for their work and direct and instruct others. They usually prefer jobs which they are looked up to by others. These people consider good working conditions important. They like jobs offering steady employment and good pay which fits their individual work style. These people have artistic interests for they like to work activities that deal with artistic forms, designs and patterns. They prefer works which allows self expression. They also have enterprising interests. They like work activities that involve starting up and carrying out projects especially in business and take risks for profit. They also have social interest for they like to work activities that assist others, and promote learning and personal development. They like to communicate with others: to give, teach, give advice, help or otherwise be of service to others.
Also being a star takes preparation. One must be trained, must have creative ability, experience and most of all talent. You do not exactly need a formal training to become one. It depends on what you are good at it. But if you feel like training is needed, then why not? We’ll never know you might be the next Elizabeth Taylor in the future and gains $1,000,000 from her movie Cleopatra or maybe the next Tom Hanks who is one of the most celebrated actors in the world. If your dreams are set in becoming a star, again one must start from scratch to reach the gold!
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