Do Gay People in Films Always Have to be Stereotypes?

Originally published on www.biggaypictureshow.com

In the past I’ve written about a number issues I have when it comes to gay men in films and films that are gay-centric in particular. One of these issues is that they are usually sold on sex, making us all fit into the sexual deviant paradigm that so many people have afforded us, the other issue I’ve written about is why we have to have gay films – after all why can’t they just be films.

This being said, ‘gay films’ are here and for the foreseeable future they are here to stay, because let’s face it, many Hollywood studios are still reluctant to release a mainstream gay-centric film, despite the success of Brokeback mountain almost a decade ago. This then brings up the issue that most of the gay men that we see in films are the flappy, fashion conscience, witty, bitchy character whose retorts and comments are used for comic affect.

These characters can be found in many rom-coms, such as Bridget Jones’ Diary, as well as teen flicks like Mean Girls. We are undoubtedly being put into more films now and being allowed to be openly gay – and all exposure is good exposure in a way, I suppose. Even if the studios are still a little worried to make us the leading star, at least we are there.

However, I can’t get over the fact that many gay-centric films made by LGBT production companies and filmmakers have to use these characters as well. I’ve reviewed and watched a few films recently that heavily feature characters like this. Yes, there are gay people like this, but would it hurt the filmmakers and studios to feature more down-to-earth, non-stereotyped gay characters in a gay movie? After all, we’re bombarded with these stock characters in nearly every romantic comedy that gets churned out.

It looks as though whilst we are getting some representation in mainstream movies, the issue of being stereotyped will always be there. It’s just a shame that gay centric comedy films and rom-coms don’t display enough diversity, to show other gay men and people in Hollywood that we aren’t all like that stock character they know so well. Perhaps if the entertainment made for the gay community were more varied in its depiction of gay people, a little more of that diversity would seep through into the mainstream.

Film news ...

Originally published on www.thefancarpet.com

Tina Fey discusses Mean Girls the Musical

It looks as though yet another hit film will be getting the Broadway treatment as funny woman Tina Fey confirms there are plans to adapt the teen hit Mean Girls into a musical.

The actress who recently co-hosted the Golden Globes and won a SAG award for her role in 30 Rock, both wrote and starred in the hit 2004 film that saw Lindsey Lohan become a house hold name, before the bad publicity.

Fey told E! News at the Screen Actors Guild Awards that the musical version could “maybe” be made.

She went on to say "We want to … I would love to, yeah.

I'm trying to develop it actually with my husband, who does all the music for 30 Rock. And I think Paramount's on board, yeah."

The potential musical would see the hit film join the ranks of other hit films to make the transition from screen to stage such as Legally Blonde, Sister Act and 9 to 5.

Whether the film will make its way to the stage is yet to be seen as these things to take, so for now watch this space.

Will J.J Abrams' Star Wars: Episode VII see a female lead?

With the announcement a few months back that a seventh Star Wars film was in the works the rumour mill of Hollywood has already been flying into overdrive, but a new announcement could put a new spin on the latest instalment in the franchise.

With everyone just getting over the fact that Star Trek director J.J Abrams will be directing the latest intergalactic adventure, it has been suggested the main character in the film could be a woman.

It has been reported that Kick-Ass 2 heroine Chloe Grace Moretz was pitched to the studio as the leading lady for the project when Matthew Vaughn was being considered for the directing role.

Although it isn’t clear whether this had any indication for Vaughn’s vision for the latest offering and nothing has been announced or set in stone for the project, it would be intriguing to see a female lead in an otherwise male dominated franchise that could bring it right up to date.

Meanwhile in other Star Wars news it has been announced that the planned 3D treatments of the remaining prequels of the film series have been shelved in order to concentrate on the upcoming film.

It looks as though we may just have to sit and wait as the rumour mill on this eagerly anticipated film continues to churn out more stories.