The Effects Of Mass Media On The Society

Today, Film and Television are among the most internationally supported commodities. Financially, their contributions are enormous: both industries are responsible for the circulation of billions of dollars each year. Since their respective explosions into the new media markets during the mid-twentieth century, film and television have produced consistently growing numbers of viewers and critics alike. Sparking debate over the nature of their viewing, film and television are now being questioned in social, political, and moral arenas for their potential impact on an audience. Critics claim that watching films or television is a passive activity in which the viewer becomes subconsciously

Although cinema is now a priority, some feel as if cinema is no longer the cinema when it was first established. Movies no longer have that special feeling like viewers once had. Today, films are not only shared within a theater, if one pleases they could always have the same experience elsewhere. Moreover, with technology expanding, it takes away the importance cinema once had. “The

Movies have the ability to transport people to different times and places and distract them from ordinary everyday reality. They allow for a range of emotions to be experienced. At their core, movies examine the human condition. There are plenty of deeper truths woven into screenplays and plenty of lessons to be learned, even when an individual is solely seeking entertainment.

Although the best reasons for “going to the movies” are to be entertained and eat popcorn, understanding a film is actually quite complex. Movies are not only a reflection of life, they also have the capability of shaping our norms, values, attitudes, and perception of life. Through the media of film, one can find stories of practically anything imaginable and some things unimaginable. Movie-makers use their art to entertain, to promote political agendas, to educate, and to present life as it is, was, or could be. They can present truth, truth as they interpret it, or simply ignore truth altogether. A movie can be a work of fiction, non-fiction, or anything in-between. A film is an artist’s interpretation. What one takes away from a film depends upon how one interprets what has been seen and heard. Understanding film is indeed difficult.

It has been observed that many movies have gained or lost its reputation over the years. The values, attitudes and actions of people have changed as years have gone by, which is reflected in their changing opinions and expressions; the changing society behavior is responsible for the gain or loss of reputation of a particular movie over a period of time.

“The biggest mistake we have made is to consider that films are primarily a form of entertainment. The film is the greatest medium since the invention of movable type for exchanging ideas and information, and it is no more at its best in light entertainment than literature is at its best in the light novel.” - Orson Welles

“I’m going to make a name for myself. If I fail, you will never hear of me again” Edward James Muggeridge. True to his words he succeeded in making a name for himself and he created the first movie or “motion picture”. Movies are a rollercoaster ride that transcends people into a whole different world fresh out of somebody’s imagination as seen through the genres of horror, drama, and science fiction. The movie business allows people to break through the burden of everyday life. Considering today’s way of life, people would be lying if they did not admit that movies are an influential entity in our culture. Movies have been successful in ingraining values and elements into society. Movies exaggerate, sensationalize and at

    Film and literature are two media forms that are so closely related, that we often forget there is a distinction between them. We often just view the movie as an extension of the book because most movies are based on novels or short stories. Because we are accustomed to this sequence of production, first the novel, then the motion picture, we often find ourselves making value judgments about a movie, based upon our feelings on the novel. It is this overlapping of the creative processes that prevents us from seeing movies as distinct and separate art forms from the novels they are based on.

Movies can be used as a form of entertainment, but also can provide knowledge and input on specific topics. This relates to Chapter One page seven in our textbook, for example “Television and digital video viewing are major sources of information about sex for teenagers, contributing to many aspects of young people’s sexual knowledge, beliefs, and behavior” (Yarber). Television can also have a negative impact on us as humans whether that be by affecting your brain, behavior, or health. There will always be critics in the movie industry, but the purpose of movies like Call Me By Your Name can be used to help others look deep within their own thoughts and feelings. Just as did Elio, movies can be influential.

This journal concludes that “While film can be considered an artistic expression, albeit a commercial one, it also crosses into the public consciousness through the influence of its images”. When he concludes the author also points out that film as a medium should be used to inform teachers, students, and parents about individual abilities and social

Whether we want to admit to it or not, Hollywood and film-making influences our lives in significant ways! Movies do not simply entertain us; movies also have the power to shape our worldview through story, because “. . . worldviews are often best expressed as stories” (Stratton, Hollywood and Higher Education). Stories prove so powerful because they allow audiences to connect; Paul J. Zak states that “Stories that are personal and emotionally compelling engage more of the brain, and thus are better remembered, than simply stating a set of facts” (Zak). Johnston claims that when moviegoers go to the cinema, “we go to find ourselves in the stories” (99). Thus, it can be clearly seen that stories have a significant impact on the human experience. Chapter 1 of Johnston’s Reel Spirituality, provides several compelling examples of the power of film shaping and impacting individual’s lives; for example, the man who decided to act on behalf of Jews after seeing Schindler’s list (25), and the little girl who found hope in Belle’s story in Beauty in the Beast (27-28), are both examples of stories impacting and influencing lives.

In conclusion, this assignment was interesting because of the many developmental psychology constructs within films from all different time periods. In was particularly interesting to pick apart the attitudes and behaviors of the characters because in real life these factors may be harder to notice or there may not always be a camera around to record someone’s actions to review further in the future. This assignment taught me that psychological constructs are put into films based on how people in real life would react or behave, for the most

Films and movies hold much than we can guess, they reveal a lot of vices and rots that are happening in society. Others give a history of a particular society, its beliefs, culture and their standard of living in the society. Films are used to disclose the social responsibilities in a given season and customs, moral values, societal worries and other cultural practices.

The media has a way of influencing people of all ages. Specifically, violence and horror in the media are the most debated. Why do people go to watch violent movies or horror movies? They go for entertainment without realizing the physical or mental effects. Kathy Benjamin’s “5 Scientific Ways Watching Movies Effects You” and Bernie DeGroat’s “Scary Movies Can Have Lasting Effects on Children and Teens” both mention the negative effects of movies, especially horror movies, with research or studies. However, only one of the essays, “5 Scientific Ways Watching Movies Effects You,” mentions some positive effects. Statistics have shown that watching these type movies can have short and long term repercussions.

The BBFC has commissioned me to undertake research as part of a project to ascertain to what degree films can be regarded as powerful within contemporary society. In this assignment, I will comprehensively explain the relationship between audiences and films with well explained examples. I refer to the different sectors relating to the topic that include the following: