Some of you have good memories. Early in January, I raved about an odd new film called The Artist, and the blog below – “The Public Is Never Wrong” – was inspired by it. Now you know “the rest of the story.” The film was the big hit at Sunday night’s Academy Awards ceremony, sweeping best picture, director, and actor awards while walking away with five total Oscars.
I realize that many people haven’t seen The Artist, and while watching the Academy Awards, and monitoring my Twitter feed, I was surprised to see how many French jokes and related wisecracks flashed by my screen. This movie is an American story, filmed and set in L.A. It is a wonderful tale about new technology and the ability or inability to roll with the changes.
A number of people recalled the post, so I’m running it again today. And as I suggested back on January 9th when it first ran, I strongly suggest you see The Artist.
The Public Is Never Wrong
It seems like once a year, I step out of my normal role and move into a somewhat dangerous zone by going out on a limb and recommending a new movie. Last year, it was my big thumbs up for The King’s Speech, which was part of a post that talked about the disruptive quality of new media – in that case, the coming of radio.
I ended up feeling validated about suggesting you see that film, supported by the rash of awards The King’s Speech earned on that Sunday night back last February (12 nominations, 4 Oscars, including “Best Picture”).
Well, I’m at it again, and this time, the film is one that you probably haven’t seen yet – and in fact, it doesn’t open in some markets until later this month – The Artist.
Like The King’s Speech, it is a story that depicts the difficulty of transitioning to a new platform. In The Artist, it’s about the jump from silent movies to “talkies.” The film is about a silent movie star whose pride and artistic ego prevent him from making the leap to sound.
But another theme revolves around how the head of the movie’s film studio recognizes that the world has changed. He quickly “gets” how movies with sound would signify an important transition in film. To emphasize his understanding of the need to change, he blusters, “The public is never wrong,” and boldly commits his studio to the future, not even looking back at the silent past.
And that made me sit up and think about what we’re going through in radio. How have many of our industry’s “studio heads” embraced the inevitable change brought about by digital? From the Internet to streaming to social media, it’s been at times a slow begrudging acceptance, often littered with reluctance and denial, mixed with a false sense of hope that maybe the world isn’t really changing.
But, of course, it has. And the epic tech tsunami that is occurring cuts to the core of not just the ways in which the public seeks to entertain itself, but right down to the core essence of how they now communicate and interact with one another.
If you understand and use social media – Facebook, Twitter, and other platforms – you’re a lot closer to having a grasp on the changing ways in which people are now connecting and sharing experiences with family, friends, and co-workers. The same is true with Pandora and Spotify – you can’t truly understand their appeal to music lovers unless you experience them for yourself.
To not have hands-on experience with these new tools, platforms, and innovations is to simply turn one’s back on the powerful force of change that is affecting American society and the world. Paul and I are at CES today, doing our best to keep up – and hopefully stay a step ahead.
Every CEO, EVP, and head of digital in broadcasting should be active users of social media and streaming entertainment. It’s not easy to jump headlong into the techno abyss, but overcoming fear, denial, and doubt are what defines business courage and leadership in this century. Staying the course may have worked in the ‘80s, but today, it’s a recipe for obsolescence.
Just like the studio head in The Artist on the one hand, and the stubborn, scared silent film star on the other, these crossroads represent seminal moments in the course of business, entertainment, and cultural history.
The Artist is also one of the most amazing films you’ll ever see because it does something else besides contrast the challenge of transition. Just as it illustrates the public’s new fascination with “talkies,” it also reminds us just how amazing and entertaining silent movies truly were in their heyday. Faces mattered, and actors and actresses did incredible work to stir up emotions and passion without the aid of sound.
In that regard, The Artist might also remind us that radio – like silent films – had a certain innocence and a special charm long before there was streaming video, podcasts, and Facebook. Radio also had a personal connection with those who listened back in the day. It didn’t need visuals and digital platforms to become an important part of people’s daily lives. It managed to reflect the soul of communities, and it generated true passion and loyalty.
Just as modern filmmakers and those who aspire to make great movies will learn something valuable and special about the good old days of movies in The Artist, today’s radio programmers, managers, and owners might gain some insight about the qualities of ‘60s and ‘70s radio that romanced many of them into getting into the business in the first place.
It’s that kind of film, and I hope you have a chance to see it. And when you do, I also hope you gain a better understanding of the difficulty but ultimate value in making the leap, rather than clinging to a historic, nostalgic past.
The public is never wrong.
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john parikhal says
Great post, Fred. The metaphor in the artist that hit me was his inability to ‘speak’ his love because of pride.
Fred Jacobs says
Good one – it’s that kind of film, isn’t it? There is so much that words cannot convey in this film. I thought the Academy was especially bold to honor “The Artist” with its most valuable awards. Thanks for contributing, John.