Hollywood and Porn: What are the REAL Differences?
I don’t want to be needlessly
controversial with this topic, though. That is why we’re going to more closely
compare Hollywood’s use of sexuality with the porn industry’s use of sexuality.
While there are similarities (which I have, on a surface level, already pointed out), there are also some differences as well. It won’t help my cause to
ignore those differences.
In fact, examining the differences
will actually strengthen my argument.
If you don’t believe me, I’m glad you’re here. Thank you for taking the time to
examine this issue from an alternate perspective. I’m humbled that you would
give me your time and attention.
So, what are the obvious
differences between Hollywood and porn? I can think of at least four. (There
are doubtless additional subtle differences, but these four are the most
pronounced.)
First, there is often a difference
in production values. The porn industry doesn’t spend a great deal of time on
script writing, story, character development, cinematography, music, and other
aspects of film production. Titillation is the name of the game, and because it
doesn’t take great art to titillate, why bother with great art? Motion
pictures, on the other hand, are considered a genuine art form. They involve
the telling of a comprehensive story. Mainstream films can, and often do,
utilize sexual material, but as a component of a larger whole.
Second, there is often a
difference in intent behind the production of porn and motion pictures. Those
in the porn industry don’t have their sights set on Oscar awards or artistic
accolades. No, their goal is sexual stimulation. The intent of porn is to feed
the monster of lust. In contrast, the intent behind most movies is to tell some
sort of story, to engage audience members with the power of narrative. Stories
move us unlike practically anything else. Whereas porn’s goals are strictly
erotic, motion pictures have aesthetic and emotional designs as well.
Third, there is often—or, practically
always—a difference in explicitness. With hardcore porn especially, nothing is
left to the imagination; you see everything that goes on. Hollywood can also be
quite explicit, but it uses a fair amount of sleight of hand; certain body
parts and/or camera angles must be avoided in order to make it appear that the characters are
consummating their relationship without actually doing so.
Fourth, and closely related to the
above point, there is often a difference (of sorts) in the sex acts themselves.
Porn involves actual intercourse; the participants are really having sex. With
Hollywood, everything is real up until the point of intercourse. Sexual
penetration doesn’t actually take place, though. (On rare occasions, it’s
rumored that Hollywood actors may actually go all the way in order to give a
greater sense of authenticity.)
The question now becomes, Do these
differences exonerate Hollywood? Is there enough of a contrast between motion
pictures and porn to make one commendable and the other condemnable? The answer
should be obvious. In fact, as I
mentioned earlier, the differences between Hollywood and porn further
incriminate Hollywood’s use of sexuality. How so?
We’ll explore my answer in next
week’s post. Stay tuned.
photo credit: The
City Project via photopin cc