Right or Wrong!
A Rant by Ron Merk
This has nothing to do with film, certainly at first glance. But trust me, I’ll get to that! This piece is ostensibly about the breakdown of the social contract which was established to insure our society will not collapse into chaos. In case you haven’t noticed, the paper on which that contract is in tatters, and the social safety net which protects all of us is torn and no longer keeping things together.
As you walk down the street, have you noticed that no one seems to remember that in the USA we always walk on the right of the sidewalk, no matter which way we’re going down the block. This “rule” seems to have been forgotten by most people, or perhaps their parents or teachers never instructed them on this?! People walk on the left, the right, the middle. This creates havoc for foot traffic, with a constant need for us to navigate our way to avoid collisions with “oncoming traffic.” People stop without warning in the middle of the sidewalk and start up a conversation with someone, oblivious to the fact that some of us need to pass. Others walk even more dangerously, making unannounced diagonal moves, cutting off our forward progress. All of this walking is now made more precarious by peoples’ heads looking down at their mobile devices, texting while walking, and NOT looking where they’re going. Then there are jerks speeding by on Skateboards with ear buds blasting into their brain some form of mind-numbing music that makes them oblivious to the rest of us!
Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve had enough of this anarchy, and I’d like to start issuing tickets for moving violations, just like police do with drivers (and occasionally bicycle riders). Seriously, no, but I’m sick and tired of this total neglect of what we used to call the social contract and the needs of everyone around these moving violators.
I think this is a good example of the symptoms of a narcissistic society, and what’s gone wrong with our social structure. How about people just dropping their cigarettes or their garbage on the street even though there are ample trash cans sprinkled throughout most cities and towns? Or people talking loudly and often endlessly about subjects that are personal, boring or which contain tons of offensive language while riding on public transit. Or just talking loudly in public? What happened to all the rules that used to make like simple, safe and clean for the rest of us?
When I was a kid… yeah, I know, here it comes… we were actually taught that there were rules for social interaction, rules that protected us from chaos. We were carefully instructed that we should always walk on the right (and move to the side if we had to stop to look around for something or if we encountered a friend coming from the other direction), that it was rude to talk loudly in public, or make a spectacle of ourselves that offended or disrupted the activities of others. Has the demise of the nuclear family in America lead to the suspension of these very practical rules of order? Or is it the narcissism promoted by Madison Avenue, and every bit of media that offends our senses with it’s constant bombardment of “this will make you more beautiful, sexier, cooler?”
Just a few days I happened to take the San Francisco MUNI streetcar, and noticed that it was actually a streetcar from my hometown of Newark, NJ. I thought back to a time where people were kind and thoughtful, and for a few moments of the quiet ride provided by an almost empty streetcar, I felt relaxed and remember how good life could be. I don’t think we’ve lost this irretrievably, but certainly we’ve mislaid it, and perhaps forgotten where.
As for what this happens to do with filmmaking, the connection is simple. We need to remember that we make films for everyone, not just ourselves and a small audience of people we know will like the film. There are universal themes that cut across all borders and boundaries. These are the great stories that we need to get back to telling. Less filmmaker and more story at the center would be a nice change. Less technique and more focus. Remind the DP that light improves focus. And yes, please put a dot of light in the eyes of the characters so we know what they’re thinking. One more thing, cut out some of the background noise so we can hear what the characters are saying, and last, give us some hints earlier in the film where they characters will be going. I’m tired of waiting almost an hour before I know what the film is going to be about. By then, I’m impatient or bored. It’s kind of like walking on the right, remembering the rules that made films great, and sure, if you want to stop and show us something new and exciting, that’s fine, too. Remember that we are your hopeful and willing audience. Please don’t block the sidewalk with your own ego. We really want to come along with you for the walk.
In case you did not learn these rules in elementary school, here they are for your quick study. They just make lots of sense, and frankly I’m annoyed that I have to remind people of them. Oh yes, add two more things, walk and talk is okay. Even walk and talk on the phone, because your eyes are open and you are generally looking in the direction in which you’re walking. But walking and texting (especially while crossing streets) is a big NO. Also, skateboarding and texting on the sidewalk is a recipe for a bad accident. Remember, the life and limbs you save, may be your own.
Here are the rules:
Pedestrian etiquette
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pedestrian etiquette is the general courtesy expected from those walking among other pedestrians. Pedestrian etiquette involves staying out of the way of fellow pedestrians and not hindering their ability to travel. Doing this prevents collisions that may cause potentially cause injury or damage to what you or the other person is carrying.
General courtesies
Some courtesies apply especially to crowded areas such as a large bustling city, or crowded halls. These are some general rules regarding such places.
- Staying to the right (in countries where you drive on the right).
Like drivers, pedestrians are expected to stay to the right while traversing a linear pathway. In countries where driving on the left of the road is the norm, however, it is the opposite. - Don’t suddenly stop.
When the path is crowded, stopping suddenly, will instantly cause a jam in pedestrian traffic, as those immediately behind the stopped individual will need to stop as well. If stopping is necessary, one should move out of the way first. - Don’t fill the width of the path when walking in groups.
When walking in a group, if you crowd every “lane” of the sidewalk or hallway, others will not be able to get through. - Don’t step on peoples’ heels.
When walking very close to someone a pedestrian may be liable to step on their heels. This can cause either of the pedestrians to lose their footing and take serious injury. - Watching out for others.
Basically this means, preventing collisions. When not paying attention, like when talking on the phone, texting, or even reading a book you become much more likely to collide with a passerby. Collisions can be disastrous and lead to multiple injuries and costly damages. - Keeping pets close by.
Wandering pets begin to become a large problem in crowded pathways. They get in people’s way and their leashes may become obstacles themselves. - Don’t leave obstacles in other pedestrians’ way.
This is a general complaint of people setting things down in the middle of a pathway. When this happens, it bottlenecks the traffic attempting to steer around it. - Don’t hang out in the middle of the pathway.
A sidewalk or hallway is not a good place to hold a conversation. When this happens the way for others is clearly obstructed and people may attempt to push through the individuals standing in the path, possibly leading to serious collisions.