Why More Research is Needed
All of the suggestions in the list of research questions which follows, are based on a
perception of the motion picture industry, a perception that is formed on
available information. Those perceptions can only be as good as the
information that is available. That information is principally represented
by the extensive bibliography at this website as well as appended to each of the books about the U.S.
film industry authored by the Los Angeles-based securities/entertainment
attorney John W. Cones. However, there is a considerable amount of
evidence to suggest that the available information is inadequate, either
because much of it is biased or because so many questions have gone
unexplored and unanswered. This compilation provides an extensive list of
research projects to be undertaken by the academic community, investigative
journalists or authors, professional associations, individual attorneys,
government agencies, law students, law professors and others concerned with
the problems discussed in the books about Hollywood written by John Cones
and others.
Another of the major criticisms contained in John Cones' Hollywood book
series is the assertion that most all of the above listed institutions or
individuals have allowed the major studio/distributors to intimidate them
and prevent the development of better information regarding the way the
film industry actually conducts its business, and with what results.
Hopefully this list of research projects and the associated book series
will help reverse that trend and tendency.
As George Custen points out, "[i]n general, there are few grounded
analyses in film studies that use large systematically selected samples of
films." Custen's excellent work, Bio/Pics--How Hollywood Constructed
Public History is an exception to that general rule. Custen goes on to
report that the " . . . methods of the various social sciences have only
sporadically been brought to bear upon Hollywood." It is thus critically
important that more research be done, and that it be accomplished using the
methodology of the social scientists.
For example, leaders of all groups who are consistently portrayed in
Hollywood motion pictures in a negative or stereotypical manner should
regularly conduct studies of such portrayals and report to the public about
the results, so that some umbrella organization can then assemble these
annual reports over a period of time and publish them in the form of a book
that will be available to all.
As another example, religious leaders throughout the U.S. and the world
should systematically analyze the entire body of work provided thus far by
the American film industry or the so-called major studio/distributors to
determine whether (and on which topics) there is a consistent pattern of
bias against such religions in Hollywood films. Once confirmed, these
religious leaders should not bother to try to change the behavior of the
film moguls, but instead, petition Congress, and pursue the other remedies
set forth in the book Motion Picture Industry Reform seeking to assure that
all interest groups, including religions have the same opportunity to
produce and release films containing a more balanced presentation of
issues of concern to them, including religious issues.
These 150 or so suggested research questions are organized into 11
categories including a Miscellaneous grouping at the end. The other
categories are Patterns of Bias, Discrimination, Financing, the Numbers
Game, Distribution, Antitrust, RICO, Political Activism, Litigation,
Historical and Academy Awards. Some of the research questions represent
the matters discussed in John Cones' Hollywood book series. In other
instances, the questions represent issues that were not fully developed in
the book series. The list is not intended to be exhaustive of the kinds of
research that can be done with respect to film industry issues. A need for
a great deal of valuable research remains.
Use the "Comment" facility provided to submit additional research
questions that might be of value to future researchers of film
industry-related questions.