Do people copy what they see in films, TV shows and in video games?

It is widely promoted by the media that people, especially young adults and teenagers, tend to be influenced by the types of media they consume and its content and lead to the life choices being affected, such as social circumstances in which actors or characters in games perform certain actions which the audience inadvertedly copies. Typically, these mimics are to do with drug usage or violence, particularly gun violence in America, and this could be due to influences from films, TV shows and in computer games. I believe, however, that it is only the vast minority that are actually affected and are ‘manipulated’ by what they see in these medias, and that most can view things and not be affected or provoked to take a certain action.

Famous films that could be perhaps associated with drug culture and usage would be 8 Mile, a film loosely following the rise of rapper Eminem from a poor teen with a dream to a star, with drug references, as well as cult film “Trainspotting”, renowned for Heroin references amongst many others. It may be argued that people who watch films like this are influenced to take drugs but there is minimal evidence to suggest a direct correlation between people viewing Trainspotting and then turning to hard drugs- although, it also cannot be denied that people who were in similar situations to those depicted in the films may follow a similar path. Wolf of Wall Street (2013), is a true story based on Jordan Belfort’s life as a stock-broker, and the 3-hour long film makes countless references to how cocaine was good for their daily routines, and how other drugs helped them cope with their daily lives. As for TV shows, American show Breaking Bad was regarded as one of the best television series’ of recent times, has Aaron Paul playing student-turned-drug-dealer Jesse Pinkman, and the show makes many references to the drug Methamphetamine, and TV show Skins could be argued to have popularised a large number of drugs. In the video game industry, Grand Theft Auto has famously received negative press for the number of drug references, especially character Trevor’s addiction to drug crystal meth. All of these are quite famous examples of how media has, in a sense, promoted the use of drugs, but that is not to say that every person who views these medias is going to develop a crippling addiction to an illegal substance.

Breaking Bad

No, I believe it is far more likely that one moronic individual is more likely to pretend to be Pac Man and run around a supermarket goi- oh wait, that’s already been done.

Relapse has shipped over 10 Million copies
worldwide - and is all about Marshall's
drug addiction.

Jokes aside, it does seem that people are more likely to perform a publicity stunt based on a video game or famous film than develop a serious drug issue because of something they've seen, stunts like these are quite frequent (the same person has also re-created "real-life" Mario Kart). Of course, it could happen, but examples of drug addictions are rarely picked up on by the media unless it is to do with celebrity, i.e. Lindsay Lohan, Amy Winehouse, and Eminem. Eminem’s “Relapse” album was a direct consequence of his drug addiction, yet still it shipped 608,000 copies in its first week and over 10M worldwide – with the album cover being a mosaic of Marshall in pills. Personally, I am not sure why the vast examples of popularising drugs have not led to clamping down on it and using the media to reduce the amount of drug usage by negatively portraying dangerous drugs instead of the almost positive representation they are given in a lot of films, namely Wolf of Wall Street.

Jordan Belfort (DiCaprio) aka The Wolf of Wall Street - renowned for his addiction to Cocaine and "Ludes."

However, ignoring the extremities, it could be said that when people see their favourite actor/actress smoking in a film, they may think that this is a cool, trendy thing to be doing- hence the rise of smoking in young people towards the end of the 20th Century. Campaign "Truth" (http://thetruth.com/) have been using these statistics to help combat smoking, claiming that when a big celebrity is seen smoking it acts as free advertising for Big Tobacco companies - suggesting that people do in fact copy what they see with regards to this. The campaign also focuses on reducing smoking in the Third World, if you haven't already heard of it, check out the link above and help them Finish smoking. This campaign in itself is an example of where I think this issue may go in the future: with continued pyschological research into why people begin smoking from Truth, people may become more aware of the stigma smoking causes and the dangers it creates for the smoker and those around them. With the campaign gaining more and more support, from influential figures such as Travis from Blink-182, the "free-advertising" for the tobacco companies could be slowed, resulting in less people smoking in the media and hence people no longer copying them. On the other hand, as with the more harmful drugs, not everyone will be instantly indoctrinated at the sight of Leonardo DiCaprio smoking a cigarette- but there is more evidence regarding smoking in films and TV shows and the audiences smoking.

"#267: When people see the celebs they love smoking, they start thinking smoking is a normal, aspirational thing.
Says who? Says science. Lots and lots of science."

Furthermore, the more renowned examples of media stories are not of drug usage or smoking, but are regarding shootings. Almost daily in America someone is killed by gun violence and in some cases the crimes are committed after being exposed to violent video games, again, Grand Theft Auto the main culprit. Here’s the story most people are familiar with:

http://news.sky.com/story/1132826/boy-8-kills-gran-after-playing-video-game

The boy, 8, from Lousiana had “no motive” to kill his 90-year-old grandmother, but allegedly took a firearm after playing Grand Theft Auto and shot her in the back of the head in August 2013. The story sparked up a lot of controversy, whether it is the parents fault for letting a child play a game rated for adults, why the gun was easily accessible for the child or whether the child should face the consequences. Another man in London was reported to have stabbed someone whilst he queuing on the night of the games release, further pressing the issue of the psychology behind these games and virtual reality. Aside from Grand Theft Auto, the Call of Duty series has become increasingly popular amongst younger ages with it being deemed more acceptable for younger people to be playing a 18-rated game. The first person shooter has been held responsible for rising anger levels, violence and other issues regarding language and behaviour in young children, and could also be an influence for gun crimes amongst older players, particularly in America, where more controversy regarding rights to a firearm were created this week with a 9-year-old girl shooting an Uzi at a range, losing control and killing her instructor. I maintain a similar viewpoint as to with the aforementioned topics in that not everybody is affected in this way by these games- I've played Grand Theft Auto and I'm also not (yet) a psychopathic murderer with a lust for blood and drugs.

Guns, girls.. some more guns and girls... Grand Theft Auto!

Call of Duty has been linked to increasing levels of violence and bad language in young children

Nathan Drake, the protagonist in the Uncharted
game series, single handedly kills hundreds of
mercenaries- but that's fine, because he's
 the protagonist! And really cool.

However, as explained in the article, the effects of the violence in-game have an affect on young children who're playing it who develop the idea that this sort of behaviour is acceptable and that action-adventure heroes such as Lara Croft, Nathan Drake from the Uncharted game series and Jack Bauer from 24 are perhaps the "norm" when of course in fact it is a glorified, over-exaggerated character in order to make the media more entertaining to those its designated audience. Which, for those three examples, are all 15, PEGI 16 or M for Mature. I'm no expert, but to me that suggests "do not expose this to children." All games, shows and films come with details on the back of the case or in the description as to what they contain, be it sex and rug references, violence or bad language- and so children who are not mature enough to view these things, shouldn't be, to avoid further incidents like this.

Unfortunately despite my ranting and raving, children will still watch things that aren't intended for them or play violent games, so I'll still have a 12-year-old hurling abuse at me next time I shoot him on Call of Duty. The guidelines are there for a reason, but they are just that- guidelines. Ultimately it's down to parents to decide what they expose their child to, as games such as Grand Theft Auto or Call of Duty most likely won't be banned due to their vast popularity and the money they generate - the latest Grand Theft Auto topped $800 Million in one day. That's a lot of zeros. And a minority of incidents ultimately won't effect the production of future releases.

I feel this can be said for all of the issues I have covered in this essay: yes, a few people are directly affected by what they see in films, TV shows and video games, but the majority acknowledge it as a part of everyday life. The news, in my opinion, uses video games as a scapegoat, especially regarding violence, and there are many negative stories as to how badly games affect people and people are 'manipulated' etc. but films, such as Drive are just as violent (see elevator scene), and TV programmes such as Skins promote drug usage strongly. To conclude, yes, some people copy what they see in the media, but the vast majority are not affected by issues raised in films, TV shows and video games.

Artist Confirmation - Abandoning Sunday

I'm very happy to confirm that I will be working with possibly my favourite unsigned artist, Michael Thomas, who goes by the name of Abandoning Sunday!

Abandoning Sunday was started in 2008 by Michael Thomas. He says that, "The goal is to write simple lyrics that people can relate to at some point in their lives. If I've done that, then I'm content." Abandoning Sunday have released several singles, as well as a full-band album titled "Forget", as well as the "Rest" and "Forgive" acoustic EPs, and the acoustic album "Reflect [Part 1]".

Abandoning Sunday's second album is due for release in August/September 2014 and Michael has said that I can work with any track off of that album or any previous album for the music video, and that he will help however he can. "Reflect [Part 2]" is scheduled for release next year, and this means I could produce some potential artwork for the digipak for this release.

Here is Abandoning Sunday's latest track, a taster of what is to come off of the new album: "In Your Dreams".

And this is the acoustic video for "Miles and States", taken from "Reflect [Part 1]":

Although he is an American act, Abandoning Sunday could be compared to several British acts in different ways. The theme of lyrics and style of the full band tracks could be likened to Irish pop rock group The Script, whereas the calmer tracks and more acoustic side could be compared to Kodaline, You Me At Six, Deaf Havana or Tom Odell. This means I can still carry out audience research effectively without hindering the project. I decided to work with Abandoning Sunday after having immense difficulties with many British acts: Call It Reckless, Hunter & The Bear, The Afterparty and Empire Nights all said they would like to, but couldn't work with me on the project due to schedules, current releases or band difficulties. Speaking In Shadows couldn't due to their location, and I never received a reply from Hours, All At Sea, The Oceans Above, Octavians or Headroom. The management team from Hunter & The Bear proposed the prospect of working with another act they had just taken on, but I never received any additional information after following it up. Hence, when Abandoning Sunday replied to my contact form saying he was happy to work with me, it was decided.

Be sure to listen to more tracks by Abandoning Sunday:
Website
iTunes
Noisetrade
PureVolume