'60 Minutes': Meryl Streep Talks Intentional Narrowing Of Film Audiences (VIDEO)

As with anything, the movie business has changed a lot over the years. Meryl Streep has been a part of that industry for four decades, giving her some perspective on that evolution. On '60 Minutes' (Sun., 7PM ET on CBS) she touted that she feels that not only is the acting on screen better than it was in the earlier days of her career, but it's "better than in the classic days."

While talking with 80-year old Morley Safer, she got into one of the more negative changes she's witnessed. "The movie business has worked fastiduously to discourage you and other intelligent discerning people from the theater," she told him.

It's what she called "the narrowing of the audience." Targeting very specific demographics, and specifically the younger people.

"They have worked hard to get rid of you because you don't go then buy toys and games," Streep explained to Morley. Apparently, it's not enough to buy a ticket and some refreshments at the theater. You have to support all the merchandising efforts in order to be seen as a desirable target audience demographic.

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Comments

[JonathanFair]

12:43 PM on 12/19/2011

I've heard this type of statement many times, and my response is typically the same. With all the messed up depressing stuff going on in the world, does the majority really want to go into a movie theater only to revisit the same depressing painful dribble regardless of how intelligent it might be?

Movies are an escape. People want to see fantasy lands, and robotic wars, and alien invasions. What's so wrong with that?

If you want depth and intelligence and thought provocation, seek it out. Don't just think that what's advertised is all there is. (Many people are guilty of this)

I really AM a movie and media BUFF. I see 25 to 30 movies in the theater every year. Independents, art house, AND big budget.

If directors like James Cameron, and Michael Bay didn't exist there wouldn't be near the amount of brick and mortar facilities to watch films. It's also proven that intelligent films that are heavily marketed just don't make as much money.

However, I do believe that the majority of people are autonomous drones waiting for the next pirate movie and iPhone release. But in no way do I blame the corporations for exploiting that.

Another issue I have with her statement... has anyone seen actor salaries recently? Movie industry has to pay for that some way. Robots, CG, and toys certainly help.

-- References --
Personal experience, Box Office Mojo, IMDB

[mose joseph workman]

10:41 AM on 12/19/2011

right on, meryl: i'm 58, a movie buff, and haven't been to the theatre in years...in fact, i got rid of my tv, so i don't even rent dvds anymore...if a movie is can't-miss, i buy it, and i gotta tell ya: i've bought maybe three in the past three years

[MBGarcia]

09:35 AM on 12/19/2011

Yes, I believe the audience is being narrowed...and dumbed-down. I am tired of movies being marketed to my age-group (mid-forties) where women hardly ever do things I can relate to! My kids have outgrown the "merchandise" age so it's easier to find what to watch from Netflix, TCM and such. If you factor in that a lot of movies are more about the CGI than the story...well, makes it easier to save our money and not go to the movie theater.

[ShakeYourComplacency]

06:26 AM on 12/19/2011

I heard Spielberg had two projects this season and was really looking forward to them. He's brilliant. But I'm a little disappointed to hear one is an old war movie and the other is a cartoon about a kid, Tintin. A war movied doesn't always preclude great roles, after all I loved his Schindlers List. Saw it 6 times. But the clips from this new one doesn't look very good. All the best to him, though.

[ShakeYourComplacency]

06:22 AM on 12/19/2011

Well, I don't know if we're seeing better acting. After Meryl, there seems to have been no one. But that speaks to her other issue, what she said about demographics. If producers don't let writers create great roles for women, young actresses cannot perfect their craft.