| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 789.1 | | RUBY::BOYAJIAN | One of the Happy Generations | Sat Apr 27 1991 05:32 | 25 |
| Hmmm...I just brought this up in my reply in the last topic, so
I won't repeat it here.
Yes, sad to say, the outcome on L.A. LAW is not typical, but to
quote another TV show, "A path is laid one stone at a time." To
provide the viewing audience with (a) a sympathetic and ultimately
positive image of a transsexual, and (b) a portrayal of a change
in attitude for the better towards transsexuals is just such a
stone.
It's also worth noting that TWIN PEAKS (which is where I got the
above quote) has also provided a similar positive image with DEA
Agent Denise (n�e Dennis) Bryson. Denise wasn't actually transsexual
(i.e. hadn't gone through surgery), but was a transgenderist.
Physically still male, but having adopted a completely -- as far
as we can see -- female identity. While her character provided some
humor (as do almost all of the show's characters at one point or
another), the image was a highly positive one. And the fact that
the other characters (those that knew about her) treated her with
respect was also highly positive.
I refer people to BIRDS::TWIN_PEAKS, Topic #97, for discussion about
the character.
--- jerry
|
| 789.2 | | GUESS::DERAMO | Be excellent to each other. | Sun Apr 28 1991 00:58 | 5 |
| The transsexual character in the movie "The World
According to Garp" (on earlier this week on Boston's
channel 38) was portrayed very positively.
Dan
|
| 789.3 | | WMOIS::REINKE_B | bread and roses | Sun Apr 28 1991 17:33 | 4 |
| That role was played by John Lithgrow, (sp) an actor who
I really like.
Bonnie
|
| 789.5 | | PROXY::SCHMIDT | Thinking globally, acting locally! | Mon Apr 29 1991 08:59 | 12 |
| Dawn:
> The movie "The World According to Garp", for instance, took a pretty
> sympathetic character from the book (by my reading), then went out of
> its way to make sure you knew the score by using a male actor. Good
> acting, but somewhat offensive to me.
Given the characteristics that Hollywood is normally looking for
in its female actors, how many female character actors are available
who look like transexual ex-football players?
Atlant
|
| 789.7 | | YODA::SCHMIDT | Thinking globally, acting locally! | Mon Apr 29 1991 11:31 | 9 |
| Dawn:
Did you miss this part of my note?
> Given the characteristics that Hollywood is normally looking for
> in its female actors...
Atlant
|
| 789.9 | | YODA::SCHMIDT | Thinking globally, acting locally! | Mon Apr 29 1991 11:50 | 12 |
| Dawn:
> It still doesn't excuse Hollywood, ...
I agree completely. I was only attempting to explain how John
Lithgow might have gotten the part as compared to someone from
the (empty) set of physically comparable female actors.
In reference to your second point (about how the transexual's ap-
pearance might change over the years), I have no information to offer.
Atlant
|
| 789.10 | Media Problem | NECSC::BARBER_MINGO | | Mon Apr 29 1991 11:55 | 18 |
| They left a lot of the substance of the book out. I guess for the
big screen.
If they had not had a man play the part, almost in charicature, as
they did, some of the problems Roberta was facing would not have been
so clear. The average person would have easily forgotten what Roberta
was to stand for. They would have missed the fact that she had been
transformed.
I do not think they did it WELL. I think they were doing what they
could within the confines of their media.
If you want the real deal...
and not just the empty surface stuff...
You've got to read the book.
Cindi
|
| 789.11 | | VIDSYS::PARENT | Kit of parts, no glue | Sun Sep 22 1991 14:21 | 12 |
|
I started the basenote to discuss how in our society handles particular
subroups and presents them in media. Since that time Tula and the
Michigan Womens Music festival have come and gone... Where are we now?
Well it seems what you were still is significant. It also seems that
objectification is not out of style.
Any thoughts?
Allison
|