Introduction
It is imperative to mention that the way movies affect the population is an interesting topic that has been actively discussed by scholars. One of the core aspects that should not be overlooked is that scholars agree with the perspective that cinematography turns individuals into passive consumers. On the other hand, the opposite of this position is truly fascinating and needs to be explored. The problem is that many believe that the overall quality of films has been reducing over the years, and they are not as creative as they used to be in the past. Moreover, some of the most important topics are not raised, and such works are only used to gain profits. Directors should take advantage of the fact that movies may have an enormous influence on the thoughts and minds of an audience and individuals may have a better understanding of how to act in particular situations.
Discussion
The ideas suggested by Adorno and Benjamin are quite interesting because they have led to numerous disagreements. The similarity between the views of these two scholars also needs to be discussed. One of the core aspects that should be mentioned is that both of them agree that the influence on the population is significant. Another similarity that has been identified is that both of them agree that the focus on profits can be quite problematic and damages the artistic value of works.
The pessimism of Adorno and Horkheimer, his colleague, also needs to be discussed. They were able to predict that most works would become very similar, and some of the genres would become extremely unpopular. Also, it is suggested that technological terms also need to be applied to the culture industry, and it is efficient to produce standard products from the perspective of economics (Adorno and Horkheimer 1017).
The issue is that it may seem that this approach is highly questionable, and a particular formula should not be used for every single work. However, one of the aspects that have been overlooked by the thinker is that numerous external and internal factors should be taken into account, and any movie may become a cultural sensation. Furthermore, the impact of this film may be enormous, and it could outweigh the negative aspects of other works. Another factor that needs to be mentioned is that it is not an easy task to predict some of the trends in the industry. For instance, enormous attention has been devoted to independent movies, and they have developed a following and target audience. The problem is that some of the festivals were also affected by the influence of corporations and had to deal with criticism.
Also, it is imperative to mention that creativity and innovation are highly valued by the audience and directors respect their craft. However, the issue is that the influence of corporations is enormous most of the time, and it may not be an easy task to get approval in some cases. Moreover, the number of directors that work for big studios and have full creative freedom is not as big as many think. One of the core aspects that need to be mentioned is that it is evident that consumerism has been spreading at rapid rates and some movies have been used as tools to promote such behavior. Another aspect that should not be overlooked is that many movies are based on the demands of a particular group of customers and their value as a form of art is rather limited because they are focused only on profits.
On the other hand, Benjamin thinks that everything is not as simple as it may seem at first. He suggests that one of the most significant aspects of films is that they can be used to explore even the smallest details of everyday lives and an environment (Benjamin 244). However, it is important to understand that many viewers may want to change the way they act to resemble their favorite characters. For instance, one may alter the tone of voice or may participate in unusual activities. On the other hand, it is entirely possible that such influence is rather limited, and alterations are minor. Nevertheless, it is evident that cinema may have an enormous impact on the population. Individuals that live in impoverished counties may get a better understanding of the situation in other countries and what issues need to be addressed.
Also, discrimination of women in some regions is incredibly problematic, and movies may be used as a way to promote that such behavior is not reasonable and is not acceptable all over the globe. Another issue that needs to be discussed is that it may be nearly impossible to prove that movies have a positive impact on the behavior of people. However, it is necessary to note that some works have managed to draw attention to significant issues that need to be addressed. Also, it is important to note that new technologies that have been introduced over the years have also changed the way movies are perceived by the populations.
For instance, the Internet and social media increase the ability of an individual to voice his or her opinion about a particular work, and discussions about social issues are also common. The level of interactivity has also been increasing, and one may get a feeling of being present at a particular event with the use of virtual reality technologies. A person is much more likely to think about issues that are discussed and a possible course of action that can be taken to deal with a problem because he or she is involved in the process. However, one of the issues that directors may have to deal with is that they are forced to make scenes that would enhance the 3D experience of viewers, and it is certainly a factor that can be viewed as a significant limitation. Moreover, it is paramount to understand that one may sacrifice some ideas if he or she wants to ensure that the biggest number of people have access to the movie.
The problem that the industry has to deal with at the moment is that the costs of production have been increasing, and the demands of customers are also rising at rapid rates. Also, piracy has started to become incredibly problematic, and some of the movies have been leaked on the Internet a few months before an official release. Furthermore, the pressure of the companies is enormous, but artistic integrity is still highly valued. The second position is much more useful when it comes to contemporary films because the role of social responsibility has been increasing in all the areas over the years.
Moreover, movies may be viewed as a particular tool to educate the population about issues that may occur and what course of action needs to be taken to deal with such problems. Also, it is important to understand those modern technologies can be used to create pictures that are incredibly realistic, and an audience would be able to get a better understanding of the scope of such complications.
Global warming, damage to the environment and child labor are viewed as especially problematic, and it is a responsibility of cinematography to draw attention to such topics. It is important to mention that the ability of movies to affect an emotional state of an individual should not be overlooked, and it is imperative to understand that some works can lead to numerous discussions and disagreements. On the other hand, the issue is that many individuals are used to the fact that some movies are not realistic and only view them as a form of entertainment. Moreover, it may be necessary to change their perception of this form of art, and the ones that discuss serious topics should be promoted.
The issue is that this area is relatively not explored, and many directors focus on other aspects during the process of creation. Overall, it is important to understand that cinema can be viewed as one of the most advanced forms of art because the visual representation of events is of utmost importance. Also, it is true that the industry had to deal with several challenges but the situation has been getting better over the last few years, and it is entirely possible that the focus on profits is going to be lower in the future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to note that it is evident that the influence of corporations is enormous, and most decisions are based on statistics and research. However, it is important to understand that the talent of the director is of utmost importance, and a company may increase the level of creative freedom if a trust has been established. Moreover, it is important to understand that the need for high-quality movies that provoke thoughts has been increasing over the years thanks to the introduction of such technologies as the Internet and social media.
Films that are full of outdated ideas and lack any artistic value will not be capable of getting good reviews most of the time, and it would be hard to market such works if the reception of critics is not positive. Furthermore, many companies and directors have recognized that such formulas can no longer be used. On the other hand, some movies are incredibly profitable because of their entertainment value, and it is an aspect that needs to be recognized because works do not always have to be deep or thought-provoking.
Also, it is paramount to understand that the idea that is suggested by Adorno is truly fascinating, and it may not be an easy task for some individuals to accept that the influence of movies is so enormous that they are used as a tool to promote particular behavior or style of life. Overall, the ideas suggested by Benjamin are much more reasonable because the population also has an influence on contemporary films, and this is a factor that needs to be taken into account.
Works Cited
Adorno, Theodor, and Max Horkheimer. “The Culture Industry: Enlightenment as Mass Deception.” Critical Visions in Film Theory. Ed. Timothy Corrigan, Patricia White, and Meta Mazaj. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2010. 1016-1031. Print.
Benjamin, Walter. “The Work of Art in the Age of Its Technological Reproducibility (Second Version).” Critical Visions in Film Theory. Ed. Timothy Corrigan, Patricia White, and Meta Mazaj. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2010. 230-248. Print.