A Quick Film Point
The movie I had wanted to see earlier (not Batman) was sold out, so I decided instead to try "American Teen", a documentary about high school students in the Midwest doing high school things and making high school mistakes. As a documentary, it's average at best, never telling us anything about teenagers (the white suburban ones, anyway) we didn't already know. The conclusion: Today's kids are materialistic, self-absorbed, techno-savvy, backstabbing, misunderstood brats under all kinds of social pressure. So basically, just like every other generation that preceded it, minus the technology.
But this is the point I'd most want to make: Here in 2008, practically a whole generation has grown up saturated in and under the influence of reality television and talking head-type documentaries, beginning with "The Real World" and reaching its peak (or nadir, more likely) with "The Hills." Watching "American Teen," I was struck by how comfortable everyone was on camera -- even the representative geek who is "awkward around people." All the main characters know what they're supposed to say and how they're supposed to say it. Of course people have always looked to the media to inform them how to behave and to validate their feelings, but this has taken it a step further -- people walking and talking all day long as though they're on camera because they very well may be, whether it's on a big screen or on YouTube.
Here's my next point: The filmmaker would likely say that my first point is the point, that kids expertly preening for the camera is what makes an American Teen these days. But that's where I break off; how invested am I supposed to be in these people, and what is supposed to resonate with me, when they all sound like they've been rehearsing for their close-ups their whole lives?
But this is the point I'd most want to make: Here in 2008, practically a whole generation has grown up saturated in and under the influence of reality television and talking head-type documentaries, beginning with "The Real World" and reaching its peak (or nadir, more likely) with "The Hills." Watching "American Teen," I was struck by how comfortable everyone was on camera -- even the representative geek who is "awkward around people." All the main characters know what they're supposed to say and how they're supposed to say it. Of course people have always looked to the media to inform them how to behave and to validate their feelings, but this has taken it a step further -- people walking and talking all day long as though they're on camera because they very well may be, whether it's on a big screen or on YouTube.
Here's my next point: The filmmaker would likely say that my first point is the point, that kids expertly preening for the camera is what makes an American Teen these days. But that's where I break off; how invested am I supposed to be in these people, and what is supposed to resonate with me, when they all sound like they've been rehearsing for their close-ups their whole lives?
posted by Mike at 9:48 PM
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