Posted on 08/05/2008 5:17:18 AM PDT by SJackson
At the end of July, The Washington Times published a story about a group of Hollywood conservatives and centrists who had organized themselves into a sort of "secret society" known as The Friends of Abe. According to The Times, The Friends of Abe are "a loose-knit network of entertainers who share common beliefs like supporting U.S. troops and traditional American values."
The article noted that the group "functioned like a support group, organizing informal gatherings where actors, producers, screenwriters, key grips and other industry types can share common values or discuss concerns like anti-Americanism in Hollywood movies or the perception of industry bias . . ."
A recent meeting of the group at an estate of a California billionaire reportedly drew upwards of 600 people. Members of the group are ferociously secretive for fear that their association with conservative and/or pro-American causes would affect their prospects of being hired for work in liberal Hollywood.
This is intriguing. It is well known that Hollywood tilts far to the left. But there is no reason conservatives should accept the status quo. Unlike universities, there is no tenure system that necessarily insulates Hollywood from the fluctuations of the free market. Moreover, the universities controlled by liberal academics also happen to be the most reputable institutions of higher education in the world. While major studios have name cache, I don't think that they are entrenched on the top in the same way Harvard and Yale are in academia.
If films with conservative themes are not getting made because of political bias, it is time wealthy conservative and centrist investors team up with members of the Friends of Abe to make marketable movies. The fact of the matter is that there is a gaping hole in the market.
Over the last several years there have been numerous anti-war films produced, nearly all of which have been box office bombs. Even Lions for Lambs, which featured big name stars like Tom Cruise and Robert Redford, was a miserable failure. The only anti-war flick to perform well was Michael Moore's faux "documentary" Fahrenheit 9/11.
There is little question that a well-written movie about America's war against Islamic terrorism, which illustrates the heroism of our troops and the greatness of American values, would be huge hit at the box office. The American public would eat it up. So if liberal Hollywood refuses to make such a film, it is time for conservative Hollywood to seize the opportunity.
The Weekly Standard's Stephen F. Hayes has an article in the latest edition of the magazine about a new film, An American Carol, by influential Hollywood Producer David Zucker that lampoons the left's foreign policy positions. Zucker, who previously produced such iconic films as Airplane! and Naked Gun, is a new convert to the conservative cause.
Because of his high standing in Hollywood, he was able to get this right-of-center satire made. The cast includes some of the most well-known conservatives in the industry, including Kelsey Grammer, Dennis Hopper, and Jon Voight.
If Hayes's piece is any indication, the film has the potential to be very funny, but just as much potential to be a total dud. I hope that it is the former and kills at the box office, but this slapstick-style political satire is not the type of movie on which conservatives should be banking their success.
A new game plan is in order. It is time to create a conservative production company or at least a production company open to conservative themes. Such a production company could make great epics that Hollywood has so far failed to make.
First, conservative investors should fund the production of a pro-American, pro-troops War on Terror flick. There are plenty of great angles from which such a movie could be made. Many books have been written about harrowing tales of American heroism in Iraq and Afghanistan by the U.S military. A great screenplay could be adapted from one of these books or from any number of stories that surely exist.
The other glaring hole in the cinematic glossary is a Schindler's List of Communism. We have great epic movies detailing the horrors of Hitler's Holocaust, as we should. But we do not have, to the best of my knowledge, a classic film about the horrors of communism. There are enumerable angles a film of this type could take. Done right, such a film could break the bank.
It's time for wealthy conservative investors to help remake Hollywood. This is not charity. There is every reason to believe that such films could be blockbusters in the same way The Passion of the Christ was. By making these films, and making money from them, there is the potential to shake up Hollywood by creating a new conservative power center.
Much in the same way that Fox News shook up TV news, a new conservative production company could change Tinsel Town for the better.
A Schindler’s List of Communism film would be great. In honor of the passing of Solzhenitsyn, it’s time for a major production of one of his works.
Why doesn’t conservative movie stars, billionaires, businessmen etc... bankroll a movie studio. that’s how you get the ball rolling.
bttt
Hollywood Takes on the Left (a right wing movie with right wing Hollywood actors and producers).
There is something in the works on a few movies.I was told some names-not in secret-but forget them right now.I know of 4 scripts on a spiritual movie and also a producer who is going to allow his private plane for pilgrimages.I know his name but don’t want to say it just now.Things are moving nicely.
I believe that Fahrenheit 9/11 wasn’t as big of a hit as it was a money maker for Moore. It was basically a low cost film.
Suprised nobody is paying any attention to Sam Raimi’s upcoming production of a TV series this fall based on Terry Goodkind’s “Sword of Truth” series of novels.
I’m a huge fan of these books and I’m looking forward to a faithful TV rendition. While it’s a fantasy series about wizards and magic and such, it’s absolutely chock-full of references to modern politics and conservative ideals.
Just that this is actually being produced shows a huge shift in the entertainment landscape.
Why doesn’t conservative movie stars, billionaires, businessmen etc... bankroll a movie studio. that’s how you get the ball rolling.
_______
If they thought they could make money, they would. Apparently, they don’t think it is a worthwhile investment. Investors are going to put returns above ideology. It’s what makes America great.
Do you have any more info on this? Please FReepmail me if you do. Thanks
Doug Phillips of http://www.visionforum.com
has such a bankroll going with his
“take every frame captive”
new film studio that specifically concentrates on making movies that glorify God.
Check it out and support it.
Do they want to make conservative movies or religious movies?
Both.I have a friend who was at a meeting with a few of them.This has been talked about on the air.It takes time to make a movie.:)
My husband and I just discovered these book in the library, yesterday. Can you tell me when this will air?
Great books! Read them all, in order.
According to info I've seen online about the show, it's going to start Nov 1, as a syndicated ABC/Disney production.
Teaser here: http://www.sword-of-truth.com
They concern a time when it is illegal to have more than 2 kids. The hidden refer to those third children. “”
One of the local TV stations had a question of the day this week...
“Should the law limit 2 kids per family???”
Great.
Thanks.
I would be very interested in participating in this or other, similar projects. I grew up in L.A. and have some friends who still work in the business. Conservatives, too.
Good morning, Zed
I stopped at my library last night and they only had four of his later books so I had to put in a request for The Wizard’s First Rule. I did however find an old paperback of his Debt of Bones, which I managed to read last night. I wanted to see if it was a story a woman would be interested in. So far, I liked what I read.
(now I know where you got your FReeper handle)
Thanks
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.