More movies being backed by Chinese firms, yet we know that the DoD and CIA want involvement?

So, I am "working from home" and just put "Kong: Skull Island" on for some entertainment.

I noticed that one of the films producers is a company called Tencent Pictures. This caught my eye as I noticed the title of the company is written in chinese.

Why did this catch my eye? I've been noticing more and more lately that this is the case. You see, I am something of a movie fanatic, thanks to my father. As children, he took us to see first run movies almost every single friday night. I love movies.... I take keen notice of the acting, the cinematography, the story line, the directing. While I am no expert in the matter, I love a well done movie. And I am no movie snob, some movies are simply for fun, like Kong: Skull Island is. Others, can greatly change how you look at things and enrich your life.

Now, it's been discussed here before that the DoD and the CIA want final say on scripts and subject matter in order to film a movie with any sort of real help from them. Top Gun, for instance, required consultants and military hardware to be filmed. So, they played along and bought into the process. The agencies wanted to make sure that they are portrayed in a positive light. And, it should be no surprise at all that they also want to liberally add any and all PR they can that paints the US and it's interests in a good light.

Now, we have chinese firms backing the films as well.

Do I need to draw a picture here?

This to me raises many questions. Is it a form of social engineering to obtain military secrets? Why is it that the agencies are accepting of this?

I'm not claiming this situation to be one thing or the other. Rather, it "erects the spine of curiosity" (yeah, I'm a gamer... 10 points if you get the joke/reference . I am very interested in knowing everyone's thoughts on this.

a reply to: FHomerK

Chinese involvement is all about propaganda. Their government has a tight grip on information.

I can't imagine hollywood making top gun the way the original was made. I'm sure the reboot or part 2 or whatever it is, will be so kind to the military.
Tommy will be fighting corrupt leadership or some such thing.
The first one was navy porn.
This one will be ,military bad.

That's my prediction.

a reply to: FHomerK

The greatest Director's would refuse point blank at any of what you suggest, I'm not saying it doesn't go on though, a lot of Hollywood movies have distinctly and questionable, pro-military stances.

Maybe and possibly it does go on, but to the very best of those in the industry, quality film making will always shine through

It's not just the Chinese making and producing movies in the US, It's everyone! As a SaG/Aftra actor and IATSE crew in the film/TV industry, I have worked on feature Bollywood, German, Italian, Mexican, Chinese, British, etc all shot her in Tamalewood and TV pilots, Saudi produced, Russian, etc. It's a global market with digital production methods available to anyone with a laptop and a walmart camera and now even phones shoot 4k and are being used to shoot features and TV. It's all about the story. If you have a story to tell, join us, the indy world is exploding!!! Just sold one to netflix...

Thanks ATS members for the constant inspiration with off the wall concepts and ideas. You should be writing your own screenplays!! I'm in the studio now fleshing out a project inspired by a post.

This can help you get started.




www.celtx.com...

If my memory of rumor mill talk is accurate ...

I seem to remember that the DoD was helping to advise in the making of Independence Day until they realized that Area 51 would be a part of the movie. They didn't want any mention of the "secret" base.

Also, the Navy exerted some influence in The Caine Mutiny. In the final scenes, while the mutineer's actions were shown to be correct under the circumstances, the point is made that they should have done more to help the captain, who was showing obvious signs of mental stress. The Navy didn't want to sign off on the idea that mutiny was OK, even though in this case it was the right thing to do.

Something I read about it stated that the number 1 market for movies nowadays is China, the blockbusters are tailored with the Chinese audience in mind. That's why you gets lots of explosions and multiple robotic Iron Man's whizzing around instead of any decent story line, that's what the Chinese public wants. As usual it's all about the money.

a reply to: FHomerK
Someone above mentioned that movies are now a global market. This is the case.

It has been clear to some of us over the last few decades that the indocrination aspects of movies are used to mold the minds of Americans. While in the past these propaganda techniques were used primarily on English speaking Americans, there came a point a decade or so ago that the Americanization of the whole world could be furthered by hollywood movies that geared themselves to promoting the celebrity culture of America. To my eyes, this goes back to post WWII with the Americanization of Japan which displayed itself in Japanese movies that emulated American culture blended with Japanese culture. And again for me, Bollywood has similar overtones of American style entertainment.

Make no mistake. Many have seen this attempt at a global culture based on American pop culture.
Now we can see that it is blending more and more into a blend of cultures. Hollywood movies over the last decade are filmed overseas in locals using domestic actors and crews. Where the big name ''star'' still attracts the big name junkies, more and more of the sub characters, most often the villians are people of the nation in which the action is taking place.

Also, I have noticed that ''foriegners'' are not having to speak in English as much as they used to. They are speaking their own languages with the subtitles put up for us English only people

The market is the world and these movies are no longer geared for American consumption alone. This even extends now to tv programs. Jane the Virgin comes to mind immediately. Much of the dialogue is Spanish with English subtitles. This gets two different language speaking audiences in one fell swoop.

So yes. Other countries are trying to sell their product in the US. And along with that selling a positive perspective on their own cultures and nations. Again, whether or not we like it, the world is moving to a one world culture for at least one simple reason. The market place is now a world market place.

a reply to: TerryMcGuire

It's a global market with various platforms for distribution. I work for different indy production houses with the expressed intent to go straight to DVD and cable Asian market. American style, lots of T&A, large American breasts, hotrods, slasher/horror, uncomplicated plot and few location changes. Quick and dirty, from casting to edit in 14 days, Barebones crew, same "stars", basically the same script. director etc. Venture capital for this stuff is always available,

Your all reading too much into this. They are doing it for one reason only MONEY. Have you seen the profits that these movies make? I rest my case.

Foreign influence comes with open borders / markets. We really need to accept it and learn to treat it accordingly if we are to "progress" as a nation. Fighting it like we are is totally contradictory to the goal.

originally posted by: Templeton
Foreign influence comes with open borders / markets. We really need to accept it and learn to treat it accordingly if we are to "progress" as a nation. Fighting it like we are is totally contradictory to the goal.

The web has changed everything. With movies and streaming TV on YouTube and soon to be on Facebook with their yugggeeee expansion.

Is it any wonder People world wide are addicted to their phone, tablet screens....new media content is king and you never have to be alone....

Lead, follow or GTF out of the way...