Ramirez 1 Wilma Ramirez English 114a Professor DerOhanessian 5 December 2013

Movies Impact in Society Today in society people look too movies for comforts, movies have an enormous impact on the world today. There is much more to movies and media, than what meets the eye. Movies have become such an inseparable part of peoples lives, that it is tough to imagine a world without this form of entertainment. The movie industry is evolving and shows no signs of relenting. The reason why movies are so a revered is because, they show a number of possibilities of different situation that appeals to the audience mind, eyes, and ears. It allows individuals too plunge into a world through their imagination that is far from the daily realities of life. Ever since the twentieth century movies have had an enormous impact on society in both positive and negative ways. Movies act as an escape hatch for people who wish to forget about all their worries, frustrations and tensions. It entertains them and makes them focus with many situations and mindsets which have nothing to do with their own lives. Due to movies having impact on society it is split down the middle on which way it leaves an imprint on a persona. Certain movies play positive roles as well, and not all movies are bad. However, it depends completely on the subject matter of the movie.

Ramirez 2 Some movies try to evoke awareness by uncovering social, economic, and even political issues that exist in the world today. Awareness about the evils of over consumption of drugs, alcoholism, and sickness. Movies create awareness about the importance of education, medicine, art and politics. These movies, brings individuals to understand more about the depravity of the homeless, and the plight of underdeveloped countries, and countries stigmatized by years of war. All these movie genres help awaken individuals sense of responsibility and empathy towards such situations. These socially enlightening movies help society realize the message that is being conveyed. Social movies, influences the thought process in a positive way and helps motivate people to get involved in order to be of some help to humanity. According to Lemiffe an aspiring blogger, Films are cultural artifacts created by specific cultures, which reflect those cultures, and, in turn, affect them, movies have drastic impacts on society because they reflect societies beliefs. While the number of people who actually do something is doubtful, there have been cases where people have taken up animal protection and human right activities after being moved by a movie they watched. Movies help boost imagination. People think about the things that they saw after watching movie, and then take their imagination a little further and visualize. This is one of the reasons why the animation industry is gaining more and more enthusiastic entrants, who wish to learn the tricks of the trade. Lemiffe also says, I can logically deduce that humans create films to express feelings they have, feelings we all have, people put so much feelings into movies so that individuals that watch the movies can have a

Ramirez 3

tremendous impact. Which is another reason why movies have an enormous effect, filmmakers, and screenwriters make sure that the script and movie is dripping with pathos; the appeal to emotional state of being. Even young aspiring actors and filmmakers are desirous of joining the movie industry, simply because they too will get to explore new horizons of their creativity and produce something new and awe-inspiring. The movie industry has played a massive role in generating employment for people. Since there are so many people involved in making and producing a movie, it naturally has a wide scope for new job openings. However, some aspects of making a film requires specialized training and knowledge, in order to work for a movie. Movies are successfully able to influence its viewers to a very large extent, which is exactly what the advertising industry capitalizes on. They use a few seconds of movie footage in order to market their products to the whole world. For instance, movies can involve a new car model, or new designer clothes and accessories, are showcased to the world by the actors enacting their roles. This makes people aware of the new product, makes them curious and interested. This results in finding out about the new product making the product a sort of propaganda where people feel the need to buy this product. This way, the chain of advertising and communication of the information continues in a flow smooth, without making the advertising companies spend a dime. The movies affects the way society act and think, it has a profound influence on the behavior of its audience. When people try to imitate something they had seen or heard, are they capable enough to distinguish between right from wrong? Young people often imitate their role

Ramirez 4

models blindly. What is being highlighted in the entertainment industry is the wrongdoings of these celebrities whom the young people idolize, and because they are heroes in the youths minds, they are still celebrated despite the bad behavior they have been showing to the public. The changes in the behavior and outlook of people towards life are attributable to the negative psychological effects of media. Changes in cultural and moral values have been observed. Many people believe that what is depicted by the media is true and acceptable, altering their judgment and causing altercations. The negative influences of media are vast. It affects the physical self, the emotions, the psychological aspect, and even the spiritual stand of many people. One negative influence can trigger another negative effect and this can cause a chain of reaction leading to destruction of relationships in society. Everything people watch and listen to affects and influences them at some level or the other. If not consciously, it leaves its traces in individuals psyche. Since they consider actors as superiors and almost have god-like devotion for them, whatever they do affects society as well. People will try to emulate them and behave like them, by emulating their newest fashion trends, the way they speak, and the lifestyles they lead, both on and offscreen. People are interested in finding out which celeb is dating who, and what all they are up to in their personal and private lives. This is exactly why smoking in movies has been banned, because people watch their favorite actors smoking on-screen and it makes the people of society feel that they too must try it. At some point, people all think that it is the new cool thing to do, and then they do it because it makes themselves feel special.

Ramirez 5 Media affects culture in many ways. For instance, movies have significantly affected to many moral beliefs as well, by seriously jeopardizing the very foundation of marriage and faith in religion. Movies make it seem like it's normal to indulge in extramarital affairs, and polygamous relationships, which in reality might turn out to be an extremely unsafe and detrimental practice for everyone involved. Movies have their own plus and negative points, just like everything else in the world. Nonetheless, movies and their impact on society runs very deep and has become an integral part of societys very existence.

Wilma 6

Works Cited
Lemiffe. Films and Their Effect on Society. Word Press, October 2012. Web. Deena David. How do Movies Impact Our Life. Saching Online Articles. 4 March 2010. Web. Ericrexona. Movies and Their Impact on Society. Tantei-koushinjo Entries. 18 July. Web. Leonard Quart; Albert Auster. American Film and Society since 1945. Praeger Prints. Santa Barbara 2011.