Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles have more in common than you might assume: They both significantly influence society. The nation’s capital is home to the country’s lawmakers and Hollywood is home to the storytellers of our nation.
Conservatives spend a lot of time focusing on the first but less on the latter. Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) is trying to change that.
Speaking at Heritage earlier this week, Santorum noted that conservatives are often criticized for being out of touch with popular culture. “The problem in the past is that you have these people who create these Christian films — great message, terrible acting, horrible editing,” Santorum said. “They are not entertaining, they’re preachy.”
The primary goal of a movie should be to entertain. “That’s what people go to the movies for,” he said. Santorum believes that if you “entertain them and leave them a good message … people will show up.”
So how can conservatives entertain an audience while still promoting a principled message? Send your children to Hollywood. “I want people who see the world the way conservatives see the world in Hollywood,” Santorum declared.
In fact, Mark Rogers, Santorum’s former chief of staff, is currently in Hollywood “tying people with red state money to blue state creative energy.”
New members of Congress have come to the Capitol this week to get to work on the priorities of the American people: reduce the reach of the federal government, cut spending, lower the deficit, get people back to work. For conservative values to be espoused by Hollywood, conservatives must begin working in Hollywood.
While new leaders bring energy to the 112th Congress, creative people must also take that energy to Hollywood and begin entertaining America, as Santorum said, “to produce content that is … true and beautiful at the same time.”
"New members of Congress have come to the Capitol this week to get to work on the priorities of the American people: reduce the reach of the federal government, cut spending, lower the deficit, get people back to work. For conservative values to be espoused by Hollywood, conservatives must begin working in Hollywood."
Though, I think laser like focus on the later is vital – or we have nothing – letting the conservative private sector to focus on the former is what is needed. Let this not be a time where the District of Columbia starts making laws about content. That is just as evil as what the left is doing with their social engineering feats. Just leave that to the customers. I fear the "values" debate is too early at the federal level. Let us get our financials in order first. Once the population starts to have financial resources to get back to the movies, I suspect the former will be addressed all on its own..
It's sad that the new congress is left holding the bag of the neglectful duties of the 111th congress.
My husband and I loved the movie called "American Carol." Kelsey Grammar and Chris Farley's brother was in it. I forgot his name. Of course, all other very good actors. It was humorous with the message of American patriotism.
Very entertaining! Haven't been to a movie since…
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As a screenwriter, I would say that the problem with Rick Santorum's point is he doesn't know Hollywood. Hollywood is liberal. The people who hold the money in their hands will not make conservative films. A good example is "Atlas Shrugged" that is based on a classic novel (which is as close to gold as a screenplay can be) but the option was shopped around Hollywood for years and no one was interested. There are good writers, directors, and actors who are conservative and they are usually blacklisted in Hollywood. Some get a little work but it is nothing compared to what they should get for the talent they have.
No, in order to make a difference in Hollywood those conservative filmmakers need to have the financing available to make conservative films. If that is what Mark Rogers is doing then he is making a difference. There are very talented people with the necessary skills and experience but a good movie costs a lot of money and that is where anyone who wants to get a film made needs help. So, all the rich conservatives out there need to support conservative politicians AND conservative filmmakers.
One institute that is helping is The Moving Picture Institute (www.thempi.org), no I have no affiliation with this group, that is helping to fund, develop, produce and promote films. The biggest problem with them is so far they've only done documentaries and I think that features are where the biggest impact lies because everyone watches features. But I agree I left DC years ago to become a screenwriter because I thought that is where the biggest need is – I hope Santorum's statement helps people to see the importance of financing and WATCHING conservative films.
Don't want any of rick santorum's idea of culture