The film Velvet Goldmine exhibits many of Dyer’s principles as he addresses the properties of stardom. The idea of stardom as a phenomenon of consumption and production are evident through out the rise of Brian Slade. The phenomenon of consumption consists of the star in demand, and how the audience has to “relate” to the star or identify with them. Secondly the phenomenon of production consists of how the star is seen in Hollywood and the manipulation of Hollywood’s market and audience and how successful they will be in terms of profit. When Slade first took his step into stardom he did not represent the phenomenons that it takes to become a star of the time. Slade noticed this the first time he approached the stage at the outdoor concert, he did not receive the same wildly enthusiastic appreciation by the audience as the performer that followed him did. He quickly realized that by making a spectacle out of himself he would be able to increase his fan base and achievement into stardom. As he grew as a star the phenomenon of production grew with his name, he was able to inspire his young fan base to explore their sexuality and ultimately go against the norms of the time by wearing tight pants and make-up. Brian Slade in the 70’s is easily related to today’s rising star Adam Lambert, and his performance at the 2009 American Music Awards. Starting out as a young rising star it is crucial in the world of Hollywood to do something that makes you stand out from the other millions aspiring singers. Lambert, like Slade, knew exactly what to do to achieve the phenomenon of consumption by kissing the other guy on stage, as he was performing, and production as he has successfully trademarked himself with his own style. His performance, like Brian Slade created spectacle to the older audience, but not the younger generation. There seems to be a mask that is constantly worn by celebrities as to who they want to be portrayed as; the public approval seems to be more important than showing who they really are. Today, more than ever, it is easier for actors, and singers to come out and say whether they are gay, it is almost as if they are being slightly heroic for coming out, they allow people to identify with them and make them feel connected. On the other hand sports figures still have not come to the point where a male athlete can announce if he is gay, since it will no longer make them a phenomenon of production.
After analyzing these two celebrities and their appearance in the public eye it is hard to know what these stars are really like; are they hungry for attention as they rise to fame or has their obsession with fame taken over to change who they really are? Why is it easier for some celebrity professions to not wear as much of a mask than others? How would Brian Slade’s be accepted today as a celebrity figure?
1 comment:
This is an interesting comparison. Yes, film stars and music stars are allowed to be more fluid sexually than sports stars - though it probably depends on the image they are trying to project. It is still problematic for actors who want to star in mainstream films where the assumption is that characters are heterosexual unless stated otherwise. Most films, no matter what genre, usually contains some kind of heterosexual romance and I don't think there are any out gay stars who get to play those parts. Interestingly/depressingly Rupert Everett who is out gave an interview in which he advised young actors not to come out because he feels his career has been hurt. Fortunately there are some exceptions, like Neil Patrick Harris.
Music artists probably have fewer limitations because rock music has been associated with rebellion in ways that cinema has not - even though both are for profit industries. Sports figures - hmm. maybe because we look for sports figures to embody some kind of ideal masculinity (strength, control, power) and in our culture we still associate that with heterosexuality? Even though (or maybe because) there is so much homosociality in sports - shared locker rooms, pats on the butt etc. Definitely worth considering more.
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