Telenovela's Relationship With the Old and the New
Networks and producers who explore the world of telenovelas have one thing to prioritize before everything else: money. Whether or not they enjoy and encourage the artistic expression of storytelling, they’re obligated to think of the network’s financial interests. Too often this leads to networks putting their money on the safest option, a story that’s already written, already portrayed, already beloved by audiences. A newer culture finds telenovelas being redone again and again, but can this new culture be the cause of telenovelas’ predicted demise?
Remaking classic, well loved media isn’t a practice seen only in networks that produce telenovelas. Stories have a tendency to be recycled. Shakespear’s story frames are used in countless dramas and romance films like 10 Things I Hate About You or Broadway’s West Side Story. Even Disney has been remaking live action versions of their classic stories. While these remakes have received heavy criticisms of being cash grabs, they ultimately face large box office success in theatres. It’s easy to see why telenovela networks cling to the business of building upon storylines that are already successful as they aren’t the only culprit of this practice.
While telenovela writers are getting increasingly more frustrated with the lack of creativity in the mass demand for adaptations, producers see something that is guaranteed to give the audience something they want. The polarization within the production of telenovelas may, in the future, become an obstacle in portraying and reflecting life in Latin America, as well as reach audiences in the US and Europe.
In a society that runs on capitalism, I can’t argue with the use of a beloved story as a safety net. But to me, remakes must bring an element that the original story didn’t have. Disney relies on the transition from cartoon to live actors and Shakespeare adaptations bring a modern twist to an aged story. In order for the telenovela industry to grow they need to take risks. In order for them to continue their production they need to make money. I think the trick of bringing a stagnant industry forward is to outweigh the number of new storylines to the remakes. It’s about balance, but it’s also about risk. Remakes are comfortable but a new story that hits all the right elements can demand attention, which I believe is exactly what the telenovela industry needs.
I find your point extremely interesting. When I was younger, I would always look forward to seeing remakes of the classic Disney Cinderella story. Whether it was the Hillary Duff version (where she works in her dad's old diner), the Selena Gomez version (where all she wants to do is dance), or the Whitney Houston version (where they change the race of the original cinderella), each one had its own unique elements that changed the classic story. While each one was slightly different, each one had the traditional evil step mother and step sisters that kept the element of a crooked family dynamic. Now as an adult, I find remakes to be redundant, and not as appealing to watch. For example, I always say that the original Willy Wonka is much better than the new Johnny Depp version. I would prefer to see a new and original movie or show, rather than a remake or part 2. I agree with the idea that the telenovela industry can be quite repetitive, and some new and fresh content could propel the industry in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteTras leer este post, empecé a pensar en las generaciones de escritores que vendrán en el futuro. ¿Cuáles telenovelas originales de hoy van a convertirse en nuevas versiones? Con el paso del tiempo y con estas nuevas generaciones de escritores, probablemente vamos a ver aún más mejoras progresivas con respeto a la industria de telenovelas. La telenovela rosa podría ser reemplazado con exclusivamente telenovelas de ruptura, pero obviamente yo no sé. Quizás veremos más parejas homosexuales o personas con enfermedades mentales. Lo que viene puede cambiar también la idea de qué debe contener una nueva versión.
ReplyDeleteEl tema de los remakes es un gran punto. Al final del día, el dinero hace que el mundo siga girando. Sin embargo, sin nada nuevo, lo que siempre ha sido antiguo y confiable comienza a no lograr el mismo objetivo. Estoy de acuerdo en que la falta de riesgos en nuevas ideas podría ayudar a la desaparición de este tipo de medios. O eso, o estaremos atrapados para siempre en los estereotipos del pasado creados en nuestras viejas historias favoritas.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your point about remakes needing a new twist of some kind. I think one of the most successful recent remakes (in the American market at least) of a telenovela is Jane the Virgin. It does not exactly follow the telenovela style of production but that's what makes it do well in the American market. It also takes some of the dramatic elements of a telenovela that some Americans may find cheesy because we are not used to that kind of drama and turns it into a cheeky element of the show through the use of the narrator. It almost feels like they are poking fun at the drama of telenovelas, but in a way that makes you feel like you're in on the joke. This clever way of introducing the drama of a telenovela in a more approachable manner for Americans is key to the success of the show in my opinion.
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