Expert: Taylor Sheppard - 1/5/2011

Question
"Good day, I am a student from the Philippines. We are conducting an investigative report about the Fading of Action Films and thus, I need to study Action Films in your place in able for me to dig further and understand differences of Action Films. I need answers about this certain topic. I would appreciate if you answer these questions.

1.What is the significance of action films in the life of Americans?
2.What are the factors that made Action Films a hit?
3.How is it that action stars perceived as the mass’ hero?
4.As a director, what do you think is the reason why Action Films in the United States are still a hit? Thus, in the case of the Philippines, the Filipino Action Films are fading?
5.Who are your promising and successful Action Stars?
6.Action Stars in the Philippines are perceived as mass’ hero. How do you perceive your Action Stars?
7.What is the difference of Filipino Action in foreign action films?
8.Is it necessary to say that the fading of Philippine Action Films happened following the demise of Fernando Poe Jr. (the most famous Filipino Action Star)?
9.What are the differences of action films from then and now?
10.Is it worthy to direct an action film now that is like action films before?
11.Is there any possibility to revive the kind of Action Films that you had before and make it a hit in the mainstream now? Why?
12.What is the state of US Action Films now compared to Philippine Action Films?"

Answer
Hi Karen,

Sorry for the delay in answering, it's getting pretty busy already this year.

1.What is the significance of action films in the life of Americans?

Culturally, Americans tend to have a go your own way, single handed, lone hero identity in their minds, unlike, say, the Asian group/team identity that was prevalent years ago. Which is changing.

2.What are the factors that made Action Films a hit?

Again, the lone hero desires in ideal.

3.How is it that action stars perceived as the mass’ hero?

Again, the same. An icon of perceived desire to be the one person who does it alone.

4.As a director, what do you think is the reason why Action Films in the United States are still a hit? Thus, in the case of the Philippines, the Filipino Action Films are fading?

I would guess that it is culturally based. Old ways tend to hang on with people. Being founded by "pioneers" shaped our culture and people here tend to be a bit ego-centric.

5.Who are your promising and successful Action Stars?

The current state of the American film industry is in flux. Most of our action stars have gotten older and are getting a bit too old to be seen as virile. At the same time, world economics affect the ability to make films. First, many studios cut their production rosters for films down to half. With investment affected by recent events, many studios are joining together to share in financing and profits of films. While art is important, finance gets films made, and at the same time, studios want a guarantee that the films will make money. Traditionally, the only way a film gets a "green light" to be made is to have an established star in the film. With the selection becoming limited, lesser known and unknown actors are being tested, yet, the studios are reluctant to take a chance. Thus, there are fewer up and coming action stars. Shia LaBuff is one of them. While I personally don't think he is that macho, he is getting a lot of offers now that he has made the studios money. I can't think of any others at this time. Eventually, the studios will be forced to take risk with newer actors.

6.Action Stars in the Philippines are perceived as mass’ hero. How do you perceive your Action Stars?

The same. An ideal of how we would like to be. A man other men would want to drink with, and someone the women would want to be with. A female action star tends to speak more to males, I think, as a strong woman who would be an equal and an object of desire.

7.What is the difference of Filipino Action in foreign action films

I really don't know. Im sure there are subtle differences, but action has universal appeal.

8.Is it necessary to say that the fading of Philippine Action Films happened following the demise of Fernando Poe Jr. (the most famous Filipino Action Star)?

When an action hero dies, it often spawns other stars who are marketed as being like the deceased star. Many factors affect genres of films. Sometimes, people just need to take a break from certain types of films. However, eventually, genres of films will come back to new, younger audiences. Like Westerns. They come in cycles.

9.What are the differences of action films from then and now?

Personally, I think they have gotten more fanciful, or silly. Thank God, we are past using "flying actors" (wires) for martial arts scenes. That was silly.

10.Is it worthy to direct an action film now that is like action films before?

If it is long enough since before, it seems new and innovative, or at least an homage to the past films. If not, its just another re-make.

11.Is there any possibility to revive the kind of Action Films that you had before and make it a hit in the mainstream now? Why?

Again, if enough time has passed.

12.What is the state of US Action Films now compared to Philippine Action Films?"

Probably about the same. Everyone is slower to produce them being cautious of flooding the market. Also, the expense of making the films has slowed output. We are seeing less studio films and more independent efforts for now. Being a more global economy, everyone is affected. Time will heal.

Best, Taylor