"Lights, Camera, Action"

Writers and directors use different mechanics to attract their audience to make a film seem more interesting or dramatic. Sometimes the setting of movies, TV shows, and books are how characters and plots develop.

The television show “Friends” is a perfect example of directors using the city setting to develop the story. In many scenes viewer see the happy group of friends hanging out in a New York coffee shop, talking about the struggles of life. Another familiar television show to most teens is “The Hills”. This show was filmed in Hollywood hills and features teenagers that come from wealthy families and live the luxurious lifestyle. By using this setting, it shaped the characters and storyline portrayed in “The Hills”.

The most common back drop for action and superhero movies is the city. It is a tool that directors use to bring movies to life. Movie viewers not only see this in action films but in pretty much every other movie. New York and Las Angeles are familiar backdrops for these box office hits. Spiderman probably wouldn’t receive as much positive hype if it was not for its city setting. I doubt anyone would find it just as interesting if he was swing from condominium to condominium in a small suburb.

Cities are full of excitement and drama, which is why they make the perfect setting for certain movies. I’m not saying suburbs cannot produce the same amount of excitement and drama but they’re not the ideal atmosphere for Marvel films. I think it is resourceful for director, authors and writers to use cities to set the scene for their investments.