Hollywood’s Hatch: The Journey from Old Hollywood to New Hollywood

Taking place from the 1920s to the 1960s, Old Hollywood was an era that made huge waves in movie production, dominating the film industry worldwide. Commonly referred to as the Golden Age of Hollywood, the overall caliber of cinema leaped bounds, from complex narratives and engaging character storylines to stunning visuals and improved sound quality. Iconic legends like Marilyn Monroe, Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, and James Dean graced revered classics with a certain sophistication and glamour that felt out-of-this-world.

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Yet, somewhere along the lines, what was once a bustling auditorium of eager moviegoers turned into Netflix subscribers who would rather binge-watch while scrolling through Instagram. The shift from Old Hollywood to “New” Hollywood can only be correlated to another impactful rise the world has experienced: technology. 

This shift is present in something as technical as film stylization. In Old Hollywood, cameras were always placed at a stationary angle that displayed the entire scene. Viewers were just spectators, outside of the narrative. Nowadays, angles are more creative and unique, often switching shots within the duration of the project. Whether it be a close-up or an overhead bird’s-eye view, the audience now feels like they are wrapped up in the story, as if they are physically present.

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We can also observe this transition in celebrity culture. Prominent stars of Old Hollywood seemed like they were in their own universe — they were so fascinating because they were so unfamiliar and so far removed from the rest of the world. Interviews were rare, and when they did happen, they only focused on promoting projects. 

The exact opposite applies to the stars of today. In New Hollywood, a sense of relatability, even if it’s unauthentic, is key for maintaining the public’s adoration — anyone “out of touch” is disliked. Public interviews are also more intimate than ever before. Though the purpose is still to promote an upcoming project, hosts and journalists often steer away and focus more on the celebrity themself. Stars constantly appear on talk shows like “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” or “Ellen,” where they play games and share personal anecdotes. Many celebrities have given house tours on ‘Open Door’ with Architectural Digest, discussed what they eat in a day on ‘Food Diaries’ with Harper’s BAZAAR, explained their own workout routines on ‘Train Like’ with Men’s Health, and dove into personal questions and nighttime routines on ‘73 Questions’ and ‘Beauty Secrets’ with Vogue. Almost all celebrities have personal social media profiles, posting snippets of their own lives. Some even have their own reality TV shows, and though they are heavily produced and edited, they show intimate parts of their lives like never before.

Those in Old Hollywood found success solely through their familial connections and/or wealth, with the rare exception of getting randomly scouted in a chance occurrence. Although there’s no denying that the same connections and wealth give people a better shot at fame today, social media is a brand-new tool that can be used to create an organic platform, which can evolve into a career in the entertainment industry. Justin Bieber and Shawn Mendes, two of the most famous male pop stars right now, first got publicly noticed on their respective platforms of YouTube and Vine. Promising 20-something rappers Lil Nas X and Ice Spice had their breakout songs “Old Town Road” and “Munch (Feelin’ U)” become viral sensations on TikTok. 

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As Hollywood goes from Old to New, we are witnessing one of the most monumental changes in film production and celebrity culture.

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