In previous times, censor barriers restrained films creatively in many ways. Restrictions regarding language, violence, as well as adult content and sexuality loosened up. Such elements in film became more widespread. The social climate had greatly changed through the hippie and civil rights movements, the growth of rock and roll and the introduction offree love. A change in perceptions on gender roles and drug use certainly made an impact in the time’s society. Hollywood saw a collapse of the studio system, but was now being reborn with a set of new “Movie Brat”experimental film-makers. This period was labeled a Hollywood New Wave.
The influence of counter-culture made studios of this era to be freer and take more risk on alternative young film makers. Hollywood was also introduced to new artistic options and story telling mechanisms, taking influence from “New Wave” European movements. Boundaries in film were stretched, and this was supported by young viewers and directors.
Script doctor | also called a script consultant, is a highly skilled screenwriter, hired by a film production to rewrite or polish specific aspects of an existing screenplay
Bio-pic | a biographical film of the life of a famous personality or historical figure
Film noir | refers to a genre of mostly black/white films that blossomed in the post-war era in American cinema, with bleak subject matter and a somber, downbeat tone
Multiplex theaters | movie chains (i.e., Loews, AMC Theatres) with movie theatres that screen more than one film at a time, as opposed to single-screen theatres
Disaster films | a film genre that has an impending or ongoing disaster (i.e, a damaged airliner, fire, shipwreck) as its subject
Marquee | a rooflike projection over the entrance to a theater
Mainstream | a Hollywood-made film with major stars, big budgets, and big hype
Events such as defeat in the Vietnam War, the Watergate scandal and President Nixon’s fall, increasing drug use throughout the country, and a growing energy crisis all contributed to the hostile mood of the era. Films reflected the discontent toward the government, lack of US credibility, and hints of conspiracy paranoia at the time. In All the President’s Men (1976), two reporters uncover the details of the real-world Watergate scandal that leads to President Nixon’s resignation. Historical events in our society were depicted in films of the time, and they reflect societies response to them.
