Writingbolt's Creation

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So, the live-action mixed-bag-of-updates otherwise known as the “re-imagined” version of The Little Mermaid has reached its debut. And, it’s stirring up on-going feelings of resentment. I am very aware of the on-going need for more ethnic diversity in stories and still fixed on the disappointing creativity and acceptance of authors who could craft, publish and produce those desired stories. Instead of writing new film scripts for new movies that feature all of the wonderful diverse people you may find in this world–and casting people fit for those roles (not casting someone from a different ethnicity or culture to play the part of someone from an entirely different nation/race/culture)–someone is twisting stories that have already found their way into hearts to suit a different audience. It’s an utter lack of respect to someone’s previous work and to the characters included in those works, not to mention all of the actors, both voice and visual, who previously played those parts.

Just imagine deciding the Mona Lisa is wrong for whatever damn reason and deciding to paint over it or dump the old one and replace her with a new face, someone more “woke” or PC, as if the Mona Lisa is some crime against nature. Or, what if we decide a song written and sung by an artist like Shakira has become dated and offensive in terms of lyrics; so we get some young, new talent to take a rewritten version and make that famous. Now, the new talent is the big seller, the flash-in-the-pan millionaire being talked up for her latest mansion purchase, and Shakira gets to sit in a dumpster wondering why she even bothered writing that song, if the world was just going to piss on her.

Where does the crime stop? When did respecting one’s creation lose its value? Even if the artist or the creation was deemed evil or vile by a unanimous global vote, what sense does it make to remake that horror under a new face and claim it’s suitable for the new era?

You might stop producing a certain brand name of syrup or oat-laden boxed mix because what was once a socially common choice of words is now impolite. You might keep the product line going because people still enjoy the taste or some other quality; just give it a different name and/or face. Sure. That might work. It might also bother the manufacturers a little; though, considering the age of the origins of that product, I’m sure the ownership has changed hands enough times that the old name doesn’t hold as much value or importance. Again, the name is a dated term which was and is somewhat agitating. I get it. I wouldn’t want to buy Pasty White Guy Syrup or Art Geek Oats, either…unless I was friends with a fellow art geek or pasty white guy who made the product, someone I respected and trusted with food.

But, as desperate as I might ever be to recreate something, I would not stoop so low as to turn a Caucasian mermaid African (or any hyphenated variation) and keep the name and hair color the same just to appeal to a different people. It’s…amateur. It’s no better than a fan making a home movie because they’re such big fans of the story. So, let the fans make their own home movies.

Or, can I ask someone to write a White Lightning script for me?…because I like Black Lightning; I just wish he was a white guy like me, so I could look up to myself in a different body and not just wish but believe I could be that hero. Or, keep it Black Lightning but make him a white guy with blond hair and blue eyes…because I feel slighted as a pale male individual.

You don’t make up for an era of crimes to humanity by remaking beloved and otherwise valuable works just to appeal to a new audience. If anyone tried to rewrite J. D. Salinger’s works, he would surely spring from the grave and set the world on fire like Adolph Hitler. And, I would likely side with his brigade because this remake crap has gone too far.

Get a fricken imagination! Stir those creative juices. Go vacation somewhere that isn’t a gratuitous pleasure cruise paid for by your family’s or corporation’s excessive wealth. Or, if you’re a poor writer being handed the task of rewriting something by a wealthy investor who just wants to see this happen…I know it sounds crazy to turn down a paycheck, you tool, but SAY NO! You’ll die a happier person than those who commit the crimes and spend the foul profits. Or, you can live the lives of the seedy and shady characters you hear about in…well, stories that have gotten old, I imagine; stories your ancestors probably wrote that are currently forgotten or dusty, already, while you look at some colored, over-produced Disney storybook from 200X and think about turning another cash cow into something new, already, when that’s not even considered old material to someone like me, someone who’s lived a little longer than those apparently in charge of…everything.

If this doesn’t get better, I fear every artist on this planet will dry up and die in misery because there will be no respect for the works of the deceased or the living. All creative work will be subject to the insecurity and threat of remake fever. All original thoughts will be at risk of erasure by popular vote.

Now, I was just about to say artists are generally not popular people when they’re alive…because, for the longest time, I’ve been hearing people say countless works are given ridiculously high prices/values after the artist dies. Most notably, Vincent Van Gogh struggled as a poor, lonely artist, a reject of his parents who obsessed about the son they already had and lost; his surviving brother (not the still-born one that the parents couldn’t let go in memory) tried to help him by selling some works and could do nothing to save the artist from going mad with a lousy roommate. And, years later, Van Gogh paintings are sought-after treasures tossed around like limited-edition trading cards or the possessions of the crucified Jesus Christ.

But, there are other artists who rose to high fame and some measure of wealth while they were alive…Norman Rockwell, for one. Now, there was an artist who found a niche, developed respect and a fan base which brought potential models to his doorstep, seeking immortality in one of his paintings.

Are there any artists like him around…now?

I hear crickets. I guess not. The closest I can come to a comparison might be the infamous “Banksy” who avoids public awareness in one way while achieving fame in another.

So, perhaps, with a lack of popular graphic artists and only some literary “talents” occupying the spotlight, the world is rather dry and dead, in terms of creativity.

But, that is still no excuse for what is happening with these recreations.

I’m just one lonely artistic voice in this big, messed up world. And, because I don’t shovel money into this blog space, my voice is even more muted. But, I state this here and now for whoever may happen to find it.

…..

Actually, I’m not even sure what to say because I have no idea or guarantee it will amount to anything or be respected.

How does one such as myself go on living with a sense of value or purpose? While the “popular” “trending” world is trying so hard to kiss the feet of those previously mistreated beyond repair and those not previously permitted into certain “Hollywood” circles, it is pissing all over those creative minds and bodies that came before them, disrespecting ancestors and de-valuing countless previous works just because you who have the power to produce for the public–to put things out there where the world can see them–cannot find an ounce of originality or let some other talent in to publicize their original works in a way that other giants, like Disney, have already done with their time in the sun.

This world is criminal. And, all the “amazing” talk that keeps getting pitched year after year after year by all of the famous faces who cannot look at anyone straight in the eye as they speak…is stomach-turning garbage. Television and movies are corrupting everything created, down to the basic value of the spoken and written languages. Pretty soon, nothing you can say or write will mean a thing…because someone will just as quickly alter your words, your intention and turn your own desires against you, simply because certain people have “sway” you do not possess.

If I am ever guilty of any crime in a court of law, I won’t likely sweat a drop of guilt or concern, anymore, because the atmosphere is already so vile that any crime I could ever commit doesn’t seem to matter. I’m still going to be small potatoes compared to the next person who does something far worse. There won’t be any fame in what I commit unless I blow up the whole planet and wipe out humankind. But, then, no one would be around to evaluate what I did. So, what would be the point? I don’t expect rave reviews from the cockroaches.

Respect the artists and drum up your own damn creativity.

Don’t rewrite history just to please your instant-gratifying impulses and excuse every damn foolish thing you dare to try.

And, if you absolutely must remake something, have the damn decency to leave the previous/original work as it was made. She could be some other mermaid in the same damn sea who didn’t have red hair but shared Triton as her father. But, if Mr. Banks was some woman’s precious father who didn’t have facial hair, don’t change the face that woman valued to fill a casual whim and your pockets with riches while selling her on a song. ‘Just plain wrong.

[Disney, you’re the biggest creative force on the planet, right now, the wealthiest and still growing the monopoly, consuming every archive of talent any other famous creator can no longer sustain, and you couldn’t look or be more pathetic. You’re the biggest pool of talent and also the biggest threat to creativity. You’re a glutton who can’t say no. You could have turned Stan Lee down and told him to hand the reins of Marvel to someone else. Why? Because you didn’t need Marvel. You don’t need the Muppets, Studio Ghibli or any other franchise, either. You don’t deserve the works of those talents because you don’t respect them, at all. You lead people to think you do because your real talent is in painting whimsical, musical advertising that seduces lazy viewers like the ancient sirens. You just take talents like some kids’ toys sold at a rummage sale and play with them as you will. You’re an excessively wealthy investor in prostitution and corrupt plastic surgery. And, because you’re so apparent and wealthy, others will fall in line with your ways, only making matters worse. No one can compete with you; so they bow and hands you their works, rather than waste all of their energy trying to get even a fraction of your spotlight. You are a troublesome trendsetter. A King Midas dealing in fools’ gold, seducing minds young and too old to care anymore. But, I’m a creative mind who still cares; and I think you are dangerous…greedy, careless and foul.]