The art of expression in the world of film is not just reserved for “professional” movie reviewers. The accessible flexibility that anyone can comment and show delight or dismay regarding the cinema landscape is quite encouraging because ANY voice matters in terms of one’s particular preference. From a famed Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic to a blue-collar plumber with an affinity for vintage films from the golden age of Hollywood anyone can harbor a viewpoint about what constitutes quality or queasy filmmaking.
Thankfully, online venues such as Sound on Sight allow for several degrees of opinion, expertise, insight and analysis when it comes to an array of topical interests that cater to the constitution of escapist tastes in film, television, comic books and podcasts.
No, The Voicemakers: A Sound of Reasoning is not a disguised pat-on-the-back to shamelessly promote this site’s accolades. Quite frankly, the site’s staff, regular contributors and the avid readers/visitors are an invested bunch that ensures the credibility and creative angles without needing to be plugged by one of its members. However, this column is an enticing plea to further encourage voices to be heard in any capacity necessary…within reason of course. After all, good dialogue is not a one-way street. It requires the exchanging of various ideas–agreeable or disagreeable–to flow in order to make the topic of film fresh, relevant, rewarding and inviting.
Becoming a “Voicemaker” needs no special qualifications or pedigree of importance to be taken into consideration. The movie writers/critics that deliver their written pieces have their professional opinion and analysis on display for the benefit of those readers that choose to acknowledge or disavow their critiques/commentaries/recommendations. The voicemaker comes from all walks of life armed with a passionate (or casual) take on what they feel is adequate in their movie themes. The invitation for anybody to share the love or indifference of one’s critical assessment begs for some compelling conversation.
Being a voicemaker is not always pleasant and does raise some doubts about the writer and the reader’s feedback but still everything should be taken into calming perspective. Here are some exchanges about voicemakers that look to rectify what they feel was erroneous upon what they have read therefore fueling their need to response:
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MOVIE ARTICLE: You’re in the Minority: Top 10 Oscar-Winning Actresses of Color
VOICEMAKER RESPONSE: “Penelope Cruz? She is Spanish. Why is she in this list?”–Francesco
MOVIE ARTICLE: Get into the Habit: The Top 10 Movie Nuns on the Big Screen
VOICEMAKER RESPONSE: “Who came up with list…How Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music was not #1 I will never know! If you polled 100 people across the country and asked them who came to mind when they think of movie nuns…unequivocally they would say Maria Von Trapp!”–Nicole
VOICEMAKER RESPONSE: “What about the Deborah Kerr role in Black Narcissus?”–Susan
MOVIE ARTICLE: “Relative”-ly Speaking: The Top 10 Oscar-Winning Family Combinations
VOICEMAKER RESPONSE: “I think you were stretching it a bit with the last 4. Also how come the “Coppolas” didn’t make the list? You have Oscar winners Francis Ford Coppola, Sofia Coppola, and Nicholas Cage. Thats a pretty significant family tandem if I say so myself. And what about the Coen Brothers?”–Augustine
Okay, so maybe as fellow voicemakers we cannot always please one another and be on the same page of thought? Again this is fine because what counts is the conversation and for the likes of these folks to take the time comment is reassuring because they care about the content that is showcased. In some cases they make good points as voicemakers but are always entitled to their views.
The concept of “voicemaking” can also be beneficial in that complimentary feedback and friendly suggestive options are helpful thus making the writer and reader feel empowered in their written exchanges. Naturally nobody is perfect but when one’s efforts are recognized it is a good and grateful feeling had by all:
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MOVIE ARTICLE: Trouble With a Cause: The Top 10 Movie Rebels
VOICEMAKER RESPONSE: “Like the list – I would have included Johnny Strabler from “The Wild One.” I may just be obsessed with “What are you rebelling against?” “Whaddya got?”–Joshua Gaul
VOICEMAKER RESPONSE: “When you listed “Rebels” I immediately thought about men but I was happy to see you included women in your listing as well. Nice Job!”–Tam
The common denominator that we all have as “voicemakers” is our immense commitment to film and what it brings to us emotionally and artistically as an art form. Film will always be universal in how we see the world around us and the realities that exist within a fantasy-enhanced bubble on the big screen. Maybe one prefers silence and does not feel compelled to express their two cents worth of input. That’s fine and dandy. For those voicemakers out there that harbor the impulse to respond and let your opinions and suggestions be known then by all means let it all hang out…good, bad or indifferent (once again…within good reason of course!).
–Frank Ochieng