Hollywood is a place where dreams are made and shattered, where stars are born and fade, and where power is coveted and contested. But who really holds the power in the movie industry? And how does it affect the lives and careers of those who work in it? These are some of the questions that a seemingly harmless joke about screenwriters and starlets can help us answer.
The Origin of the Joke
The joke goes like this: “There is a starlet so dumb that she slept with the screenwriter in hopes of advancing her career.” The joke is intended to illustrate that screenwriters are the least powerful people in Hollywood, and that sleeping with them would not help anyone who wanted to make progress in their career.According to Screen Rant, the joke was probably conceived after the emergence of Hollywood in the 20th century, when the motion picture industry was ruled by the heads and executives of potent filmmaking studios. Even the directors were lesser powerful people on the set, and the studio heads and executives had the final say in selecting cast members and establishing them as stars. To an extent, all screenwriters apparently could do was sell their screenplays and make money without any authority, control, or influence in the process of filmmaking.
The Meaning of the Joke
The joke is not only a reflection of the historical reality of Hollywood, but also a commentary on the value and role of screenwriters in the industry. Screenwriters are the ones who create the stories, the characters, the dialogue, and the structure of the films. They are the ones who give life to the visions of the directors, the producers, and the actors. They are the ones who shape the culture, the emotions, and the messages of the films. Yet, they are often overlooked, underpaid, and underappreciated by the industry and the audience. The joke implies that screenwriters are not worthy of respect, recognition, or reward for their work, and that they are disposable and replaceable. The joke also suggests that screenwriters are not attractive, desirable, or charismatic, and that they are inferior to the starlets, who are the epitome of beauty, glamour, and fame. The joke, in short, is a way of mocking and belittling screenwriters and their contribution to the art and business of filmmaking.
The Impact of the Joke
The joke, although meant to be humorous, can have a negative impact on the self-esteem, the motivation, and the career prospects of screenwriters. The joke can make screenwriters feel insecure, unimportant, and powerless in the industry, and discourage them from pursuing their dreams and passions. The joke can also affect the way screenwriters are treated and perceived by others in the industry, and create a barrier for them to establish meaningful relationships and collaborations. The joke can also influence the quality and diversity of the films that are produced, as screenwriters may feel pressured to conform to the expectations and demands of the more powerful players in the industry, and lose their originality, creativity, and voice. The joke, in essence, is a way of undermining and limiting the potential and the impact of screenwriters and their work.
The Relevance of the Joke
The joke, however, is not as relevant or accurate as it used to be. Hollywood has changed a lot since the 1940s and ’50s, and so has the role and status of screenwriters.According to The Cinemaholic, screenwriters have made progress in the industry to become influential people in the creation of films. Screenwriters have gained more respect, recognition, and reward for their work, and have been able to negotiate better deals, contracts, and credits. Screenwriters have also gained more authority, control, and influence in the process of filmmaking, and have been able to participate in the casting, the production, and the marketing of the films. Screenwriters have also become more attractive, desirable, and charismatic, and have been able to attract and date starlets, as well as become stars themselves. Screenwriters, in short, have become more powerful and successful in the industry, and have challenged and changed the power dynamics of Hollywood.
The Future of the Joke
The joke, therefore, is not as funny or harmless as it seems. The joke is a reminder of the past and present struggles and achievements of screenwriters in the industry, and a pointer to the future challenges and opportunities for screenwriters in the industry. The joke is a way of exploring and exposing the power relations and the power structures of Hollywood, and a way of questioning and redefining the value and the role of screenwriters in the industry. The joke is a way of celebrating and criticizing the art and the business of filmmaking, and a way of inspiring and empowering screenwriters and their work. The joke, in conclusion, is more than just a joke. It is a statement, a story, and a script.
