Eddy

University Writing 1103

Malcom Campbell
12/4/19
1
What is There to Fear: The Roles Movie’s Play in Society (First Draft)

Movies are a common form of entertainment and many people in the world watch them.

With large audiences viewing movies, what effect can this have on society and the individual?

Films were made to have a message, whether the message be good or badentertain, but

regardless they affect the viewers. As people who like to dream about what life could be and

watch movies, we compare our world to what happens in the movie. Movies are not always made

factually and use the imagination, but regardless they leave an impact on every some

peopleperson that watch ites. Some movies leave a minor impact, while others are major.

Movies are played for large audiences with varying ages from young children to adults.

Some moviesThey are emotional and have a meaning that is being portrayed to the viewer to

either learn or talk about. Each movie is differentdifferent, and they affect society in different

ways. An example isSuch as how someone feels about a certain topic or get an idea of something

that can be done. Films have this power that is overshadowed. They use special effects, music,

emotions, words, and visuals to manipulate how someone can perceive the scene. This happens

because movies are portrayed in another world where anything can happen. People know that

movies are not real life, yet it can is treated like it is due to how immersive the films can be..

Some kids Kids especially have a harder time differing what is real and what is fiction. For

example, some children tend to believe in Santa Claus and the tooth fairy due to their

imagination.

Movies’ Effect onand Children

Movies are rated for certain ages because parents and adults don’t want kids getting ideas

of violent actions and knowing vulgar language at a young age. Kids can be seen asare seen as
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innocent and naive, a group that should be protected from the real world that can be cruel.

KidsKids also can’t just go watch these movies only to be protected, they could also be

traumatized. Films have an impact on the mind. Children and teenagers are still developing their

ideas and perceptions of the world as they are maturing and getting older.. They are discovering

new things and to watch certain cinematics without it affecting children in a negative way, they

must be mature. This is why films are rated so parents can know whether they want their children

and teenagers watching a movie. Children don’t always understand right from wrong, and they

tend to believe everything they see. This can cause children to have a skewed view on life and

have misconceptions about things they don’t understand. The effects this can have on the future

of their can affect our society as a whole. As adults on the other hand, views in life are more

solid and less likely to be changed compared to children.

Children that have been traumatized could affect them in their everyday life such as

sleeping on a regular basis. In 1999, Kristen Harrison and Joanne Cantor, from the University of

Wisconsin, did a research among children and teens, which appeared in the journal Media

Psychology (qtd in Degroat). They have found that half of the reported incidents with their

normal behavior with their sleeping and eating was due to a horror film or show. The effects of

eating and sleeping were among the most common, as well as avoiding situations that were

similar to what they were traumatized by. The effects normally last a week or two, but they can

also last into adulthood. The effects lasting through the rest of their life was not likely. This

proves how movies affect society and the individual in a way that can challenge how they live

day to day, such as sleeping and eating.for the rest of their lives.
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University Writing 1103
Malcom Campbell
12/4/19
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Horror films are thought of as the movie that traumatizes the viewer, and that is what

they were made to do. However, horror films are not always an evil moving picture for whoever

watches it. Parents are advised to not let their children watch these movies that can affect them in

a negative way, such as sleepless nights. The factor about the horror films is the adrenaline effect

that differs from one person to another (Victoria Advocate). The adrenaline rush on children can

be unpredictable with how they will react and if it will be too much for them to handle. As

children, they are still developingdeveloping, and their brains can’t always process what is

happening. They also don’t always realize what is fake and what is real, and they couldtend to

believe everything they see. They get scared and the traumatizing events linger on with them into

bed with the terror of their dark bedroom all alone- they feel vulnerable.

Some children can watch horror movies and not be affected. , Iinstead they learn that it is

all made up and it is fake. On the other hand, as the movie industry has more and more advances

with effects and CGI, the movies look more realistic and they get more gorygorier. As more and

more parents are aware of how movies can affect a child, they pay more attention to the ratings

and what they allow their children to watch. It all depends on what the parents let their children

watch, and if the child will be traumatized by the movies. Adults on the other hand understand

that movies are fake and made up. Some aAdults can still bestill are scared of things they

watched as children, such as It“It” by Stephen King. It seems common that peoplemost everyone

can beis scared of clowns, which could have been thought to beis caused by the horror movie

that traumatized them as a kid. Keep in mind that everyone is not the same and there are those

who can watch horror movies without the negative effects, it is the children that are being

affected by films that parents have to be careful.

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University Writing 1103
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Movies’ Effect on and Adults

Adults see moviescinemas as entertainment and sometimes not much else. What if

movies present a topic that is controversial or a topic that they may be unaware of? This means,

like a child, that is all they understand. Movies affect adults differently than children. Children

are shown fantasy or devastation and they sometimes believe what they see. Adults have an

understanding of imagination and reality. Adults, on the other hand, are more affected by

concepts and ideas of topics and other things they may not know about. Organizations portrayed

can be affected by how they are viewed in theaters. What is typically used, and changes based on

the movie is the government.

There are new ideas being presented and adults don’t always know the answer or what is Formatted: Indent: First line: 0.5"

being talked about. This means, like a child, that is all they understand. They are learning about

this new topic, which could be anything. Whatever the film shows, that is all the information that

is known to them. Movies can manipulate whatever scenario into how they want the viewers to

perceive it. This can be a positive and a negative thing. Films can cause adults to question their

government and law enforcement, or it can cause them to have more faith in them. A research

study in 2014 “by Michelle C. Pautz, an associate professor of political science at the University

of Dayton, suggests films can act as an influence” (qtd. in Guida). The study showed how after

watching a movie such as Argo and Zero Dark Thirty affected how the viewers felt toward the

government. Their views tended to be more positive after watching either film due to how the

government was shown in a positive light in the screen. Movies affect adults differently than

children. Children are shown fantasy or devastation and they believe what they see. Adults have

an understanding of imagination and reality. They, on the other hand, are more affected by
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concepts and ideas of topics and other things they may not know about. Organizations portrayed

can be affected by how they are viewed in theaters.

In an article about how different movies affect people differently in various ways,

Natasha Englehardt gave many different films that brought about different topics as an example.

She showed how different genres of movies can have an effect on people, although it is in

different ways. The film “The Day After Tomorrow” hit the silver screen in 2006, Formatted: Font: Italic

awakeningdeveloping the idea of global warming. This film made the audience scared for their

future and what effects global warming could have. The film was scientifically inaccurate., yet it

still caused the viewers to think about global warming as a force to be reckoned with.The movie

exaggerated the theory and drastic climate change (C2ES). In the movie, climate changed

overnight, but it in reality it changes over decades. The plot is loosely based off the theory of

climate change and is unreliable for facts. Regardless, it still caused the viewers to think about

global warming as a force to be reckoned Thiswith. This formed activists that were against

global warming and wanted to do anything to prevent the continuation. This happened because

the topic was brought to light to the general public and they took interest and saw it as a problem

to be solved. A research study “by Michelle C. Pautz, an associate professor of political science

at the University of Dayton, suggests films can act as an influence” (qtd in Guida, John). The

study showed how after watching a movie such as “Argo” and “Zero Dark Thirty” affected how Formatted: Font: Italic
Formatted: Font: Italic
the viewers felt toward the government. Their views tended to be more positive after the film due

to how the government was shown in a positive light in the screen. Another example would be

the movie “Fight Club”, which came out in 1999. Since the movie came out in theaters, there has Formatted: Font: Italic

been an increased amount of fight clubs that have begun since the film introduced fight clubs as
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a way to vent frustrations. This cinematic film influenced violence in adults and condoned

unethical behavior. This effect was not only in America, it was also in Moscow and Thai.

Movies effect not only one society, but to multiple societies as well.

Movies in History

Other countries also produce films, and they too affect their own culture and society.

Richard C. Helt saw that there was a connection between films and society. Helt is known to be

an author of several books about West German films made in history. An example was the

Nazi’s and how to portray them in German cinematics without crossing a line with the subject of

the past in the country associating with the Nazi’s. They didn’t want to portray a subject too

early and have a negative response from the audience. When they were planning on making

movies based on the events of World War II, it was several years after. The problem was that the

producers didn’t know exactly how much time had to pass before the communities in Germany

to accept movies about the events that happened. Producers have these topics to keep in mind as

they have a great influence on subjects both unknown and well known.

America is known for great films and movie sagas. One example America has produced

many classics such aswas “Star Wars.” This movie most everyone can be recognized without Formatted: Font: Italic

someone actually everever seeing it due to its popularity in society.. President Ronald Reagan

during the Cold War had a plan called the Strategic Defense Initiative which was to protect

America and calm people's fears from the Soviets nuclear weapons (Kennedy Leslie). It was later

coined the name “Star Wars” due to the ambitious and impractical plan that seemed like it was Formatted: Font: Italic

an idea taken from saga. Star Wars is known for their spaceships and lasers in space. Reagan’s

plan involved satellites in space to shoot lasers at missiles as they were flying towards America
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to bomb the West Coast. This plan, in reality, was expensive and mostly impossible. Since the

plan was seemingly impossible, it was viewed as fake and out of a movie that was trying to be

made into reality. This example of Star Wars shows how mMovies have integrated into society

and is a part of everyday life with so many references being made and connected. Reagan’s plan

was to calm fears of many, so connecting to something familiar helped with reassuring their

safety. Movies was used to change the minds of America and make them believe they were safe

in their homes.

In society, movies are used to reference ideas and are used in everyday conversations.

Some people are movie fanatics and will be dedicated to a company or a movie series. Someone

can go to a store and buy toys and posters and collectables for the movies that are popular.

Movies in the past are popular and so are movies coming out this year. Movies tend to stay

relevant even if they came out over fifty years ago. The impact movies have on people can

always just be loving a franchise and experiencing the adventure of watching something

enjoyable. There are people who see movies as something that does not impact them

significantly other than enjoying the films. As a form of entertainment, it has different

influences. Everyone is different and how they interpret a movie is based on what they like and

what they believe.

Movies have stayed relevant over a hundred years, and this is due to the variety it gives

viewers. Every month throughout the year, several movies will debut and gives movie goers

something new to experience. Since movies are diverse, it allows many different groups of

people enjoy them. It brings people a variety to choose from, so there aren’t only movies for a

certain group of people. This also brings diverse groups of people together to enjoy a movie they
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like at the same time. It is a place for people to go and hang out with friends and family or meet

people with the same interests as they do. Typically, those who go out and watch a movie, they

already know they like it. Since they know they enjoy it, those around them also enjoy and it

allows groups of people to share experiences in a movie. Some people will clap when they get

exited in a movie and other people will join in because they feel the same way. On the other

hand, some people like to keep to themselves and not share experiences with fellow strangers

who are watching the movie at the same time.

Movies compared to those in the past have changed. The movies throughout the years Formatted: Indent: First line: 0.5"

reflect our culture and ideas. In the past, there were movies showing the differences Some of the

movies in the past are considered classics and are still popular. Some classics now a days are

remade and put into more of a modern era. These are ways to bring back classics and still keep

them relevant compared to other movies coming out at the same time. Other movies from the

past were popular back then, but because the views and beliefs have changed as whole in society,

they are seen to be controversial and are no longer popular. Movies compared to the past are

different in ways other than views and beliefs. Special effects have improved has years go by and

new technology change the movie industry and how films are made. Movies made today, have

more green screen backgrounds, while movies in the past were made at real locations with

minimal green screen effects if that was available. Puppets and animatronics were also used

instead of special effects, and this changes how the films look and if it seems real or fake.

Comparing movies now and the past, are different and constantly changing.

Movies have changed throughout the years, but they still affect society and change what

people think. They can be a positive change and a negative change. Children could be
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traumatized by the movies they see that scare them or leave an imprint onscar them for yearslife.

Adults and teenagers have a better understanding than children do when they can realize what is

real and what is made up. Teenagers and adults although will believe topics they either don’t

know about or don’t understand. Teenagers compared to adults are more susceptible to this due

to howwho their beliefs and values are not fully developed. These can be a positive as long as

what the films are showing are true and the information are correct and not twisted. On the other

hand, most movies are not factual and will make their own truths based on what their story and

plot is. As long as they remember that everything is not always true and factual, it can be a good

thing and can bring about conversation.

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University Writing 1103
Malcom Campbell
12/4/19
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Works Cited

“The Day After Tomorrow: Could it Really Happen?” Center for Climate Change and Energy

Solutions, https://www.c2es.org/content/the-day-after-tomorrow-could-it-really-happen/.

Accessed 2 Dec 2019.

DeGroat, Barnie. “Scary movies can have lasting effects on children and teens, study says,” The

News and Information Services, The University Record, 12 Mar 1999,

http://ur.umich.edu/9899/Mar29_99/9.htm1999,

http://ur.umich.edu/9899/Mar29_99/9.htm. Accessed 6 Nov 2019.

Englehardt, Natasha. “Film and Society: How Films Impact Society and Popular Culture,” Platt

College, https://platt.edu/blog/film-society-films-impact-society-popular-culture/.

Accessed 13 Oct 2019.

Guida, John. “How Movies Can Change Our Minds,” OP Talk, The New York Times, 4 Feb Formatted: Indent: Hanging: 0.5"

2015, https://op-talk.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/04/how-movies-can-change-our-minds/.

Accessed 13 Oct 2019.

Helt C. Richard. “Ribbons in Time: Movies and Society Since 1945 by Paul Monaco,” The Johns

Hopkins University Press on behalf of the German Studies Association, German Studies

Review., Vol. 12, No. 2, 1989, pp. 398-399, https://www.jstor.org/stable/1430139.

Accessed 16 Oct 2019.

“How Watching Horror Films Can Harm Children,” Victoria Advocate, 14 Oct 2016,

https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/how-watching-horror-films-can-harm-

children/article_efae53e1-566b-513b-bc51-
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4c8b528e0c52.html##targetText=A%20well%2Dknown%20study%20by,anxiety%20dis

orders%20well%20into%20adulthood. Accessed 6 Nov 2019.

Kennedy, Leslie. “Why Reagan's 'Star Wars' Defense Plan Remained Science Fiction,” History,

22 Jan 2019, https://www.history.com/news/reagan-star-wars-sdi-missile-defense. Formatted: Default Paragraph Font

Accessed 12 Oct 2019.

Victoria Advocate. “How Watching Horror Films Can Harm Children,” Victoria Advocate, 14

Oct 2016, https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/how-watching-horror-films-can-harm-

children/article_efae53e1-566b-513b-bc51-

4c8b528e0c52.html##targetText=A%20well%2Dknown%20study%20by,anxiety%20dis

orders%20well%20into%20adulthood. Accessed 6 Nov 2019. Formatted: Highlight