What Is Conspiracy Theory Addiction?

 

A conspiracy theory can be defined as the belief that a secret-but-influential organization or individual is responsible for a circumstance or event. People often think that these beliefs are rare or sometimes absurd.

A lot of conspiracy theories relate to politics. That 9/11 was orchestrated by the US government so it could start wars in the Middle East. That powerful groups like the Illuminati are pulling the strings behind the scenes, plotting to establish a New World Order. Or that the new coronavirus is a bio-weapon engineered by the China.

The three basic assumptions are 

1. first, that nothing happens by accident. The idea that in history, there are no coincidences, no cock-ups. 
2. The second idea is that nothing is as it seems. The suggestion that you need to look beneath the surface to detect the actions and  the intentions of the evil conspirators. 
3. And the third idea is that everything is connected.

A study found that about 50% of Americans believe in at least one conspiracy theory. Conspiracy theories come in all forms, but most theories involve political and social events.

 Some examples include the belief that certain celebrities are controversial topics such as the belief that a small group of people are planning to overthrow the government.

With the increased popularity of conspiracies and exposure to information, it is possible to harm one’s mental health and relationships .

Conspiracy theory addiction is a behavioral addiction  has been linked to having more negative attitudes. Rather than helping one cope with their negative feelings, the belief in conspiracy theories can create a cycle of distrust and disempowerment. As a person encounters different sources, it is important to be able to analyze the information and distinguish between false theories and real threats.

People who strongly believe in conspiracy theories and become addicted may experience some of the following:

• Anxiety or fear for no particular reason.
• A perceived loss of control.
• A need to make sense of complex topics or unrelated events, even with little or no topical knowledge.
• Low self-esteem.
• A strong urge to make connections between a series of unrelated events or behaviors.
• A belief in paranormal explanations for scientific phenomenon.
• A sense of not belonging or isolation.
• A great alienation, disengagement, or disaffection from society

If the presence of the above feelings and behaviors significantly impacts a person’s ability to function in their daily lives, that person may have a conspiracy theory addiction.

Why Do People Believe in Conspiracy Theories?

Researchers have studied the different reasons why people believe in conspiracy theories, and many of the explanations include the following factors:

• A need for understanding and consistency.
• A need for control.
• A need to belong or feel special.

NEED FOR UNDERSTANDING

When a person experiences distress over uncertainty or witnesses a large-scale event, the mind will start to look for explanations that connect the dots. Those with lower analytical abilities and less tolerance for uncertainty are more likely to believe a conspiracy theory. This is because conspiracy theories can often provide explanations for events that seem confusing or frightening, and believers can assume that they are being intentionally deceived. People are also naturally inclined to search for information that confirms their existing beliefs; this is known as CONFIRMATION BIAS.

The ability to easily share and spread information over the internet has increased belief in certain conspiracy theories. Someone with a conspiracy theory addiction may seek out information to support something they already think is true, rather than seek out new information or challenge their beliefs. A need for understanding and consistency can lead to addictive behaviors such as spending excessive time on the internet and ignoring relationships and responsibilities.

Need For Control

Conspiracy theory addiction can also be caused by the need to feel safe and in control. When the human mind feels threatened, identifying what is causing the danger can be a way to cope with anxiety.

1.     One study found that people are more likely to believe in conspiracies if they are feeling anxious.

2.     Another study found that people who feel psychologically and/or sociopolitically disempowered are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories.

                3.     People who have a conspiracy theory addiction may be drawn to the theories as a way of making sense of the world and feeling more in control.

4.     The long-term effects of conspiracy theory addiction may leave people feeling more disempowered and anxious than before.

Defense mechanism,

Conspiracy theory addiction can also form as a defense mechanism, especially in those who feel alienation and disaffection from society. Typically those with a strong belief in conspiracies have a distrust in authority, lower self-esteem, lower levels of interpersonal trust, and feel that they are the “heroes” in the story — while those who are conspiring against them are the “enemy.”

As modern society becomes more complex and information is more easily spread, some people feel left behind in trying to keep up. When a person feels disadvantaged, they will often find ways to boost their own self-perceptions.

RISKS

Conspiracy theory addiction can have long-term negative effects on an individual. In fact, some studies have shown that believing in conspiracies can reinforce feelings of confusion, isolation, and loneliness.

Conspiracy theory addiction not only causes a cycle of distrust, but it discourages people from participating in their social worlds.

https://www.addictioncenter.com/drugs/conspiracy-theory-addiction/

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Feminist Film Theory

Indian cinema has undergone major changes. The Indian film industry is the largest in the world. It produces over 1000 films each year in more than twenty languages. In contrast Hollywood produces less than 400 films per year. In Indian film industry women have played very significant role in bringing success to individual films. Women in Indian film industry have established some magnificent records. The progression of Women’s Influences to the World of Drama, Comedy,   Films and Movies.

Feminism is a social movement which has had an enormous impact on film theory and criticism. Cinema is taken by feminists to be a cultural practice representing myths about women and femininity, as well as about men and masculinity.

Feminist Film Theory

Feminist Film Theory, generally arises from feminist politics and theories governed by the second wave feminism. It is on the how the public scrutinizes how women delivers the attitudes, scenarios, and characters given to them to portray in a particular film or cinema screens. Theoretical approaches were developed to critically discuss the sign and image of woman in film as well as open up issues of female spectatorship.

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Theory Of Planned Behavior/ Reasoned Action

 

Theory Of Planned Behavior/ Reasoned Action Ajzen and Fishbein formulated in 1980 the theory of reasoned action (TRA) after trying to estimate the discrepancy between attitude and behavior. The theory was called the theory of planned behavior (TpB). The theory of planned behavior is a theory which predicts deliberate behavior, because behavior can be deliberative and planned.

 

Core Assumptions and Statements:  Theory of Reasoned Action suggests that a person's behavior is determined by his/her intention to perform the behavior and that this intention is, in turn, a function of his/her attitude toward the behavior and his/her subjective norm. The best predictor of behavior is intention. 

Intention is the cognitive representation of a person's readiness to perform a given behavior, and it is considered to be the immediate antecedent (முன் நிகழ்ந்ததும் அதன் மீது தாக்கத்தை ஏற்படுத்தியிருக்கக் கூடியதுமான ஒன்று; )of behavior.

 

 This intention is determined by three things:

1. 1   their attitude toward the specific behavior,
2. 2.   their subjective norms and
3. 3.   their perceived behavioral control.

 

In addition to measuring attitudes toward the behavior, we also need to measure people’s

• subjective norms –
• their beliefs about how people they care about
• will view the behavior 

 

To predict someone’s intentions, knowing these beliefs can be as important as knowing the person’s attitudes. Finally, perceived behavioral control influences intentions. Perceived behavioral control refers to people's perceptions of their ability to perform a given behavior. These predictors lead to intention.

Favorite Methods Ajzen provides fairly clear instructions for designing theory of planned behavior questionnaires on his website.

 

Ajzen uses a questionnaire to define the elements of behavior and uses direct observation or self-reports later on. This theory is also used in evaluation studies.

Other usages of the model include:

• voting behavior,
• disease prevention behavior,
• birth control behavior (Jaccard & Davidson, 1972),
• consumption prediction.
•  

Example Examples of items which can be researched with the theory of planned behavior are whether to wear a seat belt.

Favorite Methods Ajzen provides fairly clear instructions for designing theory of planned behavior questionnaires on his website.

 

Ajzen uses a questionnaire to define the elements of behavior and uses direct observation or self-reports later on. This theory is also used in evaluation studies.

Other usages of the model include:

voting behavior,

disease prevention behavior,

birth control behavior (Jaccard & Davidson, 1972),

consumption prediction.

 

Example Examples of items which can be researched with the theory of planned behavior are whether to wear a seat belt.

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Different types of film analysis

Different types of film analysis

 This section deals some of the different types of film analyses you may have been assigned to write.

Semiotic analysis

A Semiotic Analysis is the study of signs codes and conventions on films. It describes a way of explaining what meaning the audience can take from codes. It is typically involving metaphors and analogies to both non-living objects and characters within a film. Because symbols have several meanings, writers often need to determine what a particular symbol means in the film and in a broader cultural or historical context.

 There is four types of signs and codes that exist in the semiotic analysis of film.

 

Indexical Signs

• This is one of the most straightforward ways to create meaning. Indexical signs act as cues to existing knowledge. This type of sign is very common and is used constantly in the media. 

 

One reason this title is said to be "La La Land" is right on the surface. Los Angeles has the initials "L" and "A", hence the "La" in the title. However, this title was also chosen as a satire and jab at Hollywood culture.

Hollywood is a dream for many and is definitely portrayed as such. While this movie is super dreamy, hence "La La Land", not all dreams come true for these two characters. This allusion to a dream-like state is both beautiful and realistically devastating.

Symbolic Code

• Symbolic codes only work when a society uses them widely. By themselves they might fail to convey meaning but because they have been used in popular culture many times, they turn into something meaningful. An example for this would be a red heart for love or the colour yellow for happiness.

 

·         A horse—and its young rider—feature in a heroic scene towards the end of the film. Perhaps the most relevant of them all to this film, the donkey that meek animal of labour—gets freed by Karnan. Haunting this film are visuals of those girls bearing the symbolic head of a guardian deity.

Enigma

• This type of code used in films creates a question in which the film makes potential viewers wonder what will happen. Often used in its trailers it draws viewers in to seeing the movie. This is very apparent in the final trailer, released by Warner Brothers.
• 
  

Convention

·         One more thing conventions used in this movie. The conventions of a genre are the elements that commonly occur in such films. They may include things like characters, situations, settings, props, themes and events. For example, a convention of the science-fiction genre is that the story often includes robots, aliens, time-travel or genetic manipulation.

o   The chief antagonist is a casteist IPS officer called Kannabiran (Natarajan Subramaniam) who cannot stomach the fact that the people of the village are not obsequious to his authority. Kannabiran is another name of Krishna, who in the epic justifies the actions of the Pandavas and the Kurukshetra war as one for righteousness.

• In the village of Podiyankulam, a little donkey hops on the road, its front legs tied with a rope. Nobody takes notice of it. They understand that the donkey's legs have been tied to prevent it from running, going where its heart takes it. It's normal to treat it that way, the people believe. But not Karnan (Dhanush). Every time he sees the donkey, he is bothered by its bondage. The fact that it is not free.

 

 

Narrative analysis

Narrative analysis is an examination of the story elements, including narrative structure, character, and plot. This type of analysis considers the entirety of the film and the story it seeks to tell.

To create this type of analysis, you could consider questions like:

·         How does the film correspond to the Three-Act Structure: Act One: Setup; Act Two: Confrontation; and Act Three: Resolution?

·         What is the plot of the film? How does this plot differ from the narrative, that is, how the story is told? For example, are events presented out of order and to what effect?

·         Does the plot revolve around one character? Does the plot revolve around multiple characters? How do these characters develop across the film?

Cultural/historical analysis

One of the most common types of analysis is the examination of a film’s relationship to its broader cultural, historical, or theoretical contexts. Whether films intentionally comment on their context or not, they are always a product of the culture or period in which they were created. By placing the film in a particular context, this type of analysis asks how the film models, challenges, or subverts different types of relations, whether historical, social, or even theoretical.

A few of the many questions you could ask in this vein include:

·         How does the film comment on, reinforce, or even critique social and political issues at the time it was released, including questions of race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality?

·         How might a biographical understanding of the film’s creators and their historical moment affect the way you view the film?

·         How might a specific film theory, such as Queer Theory, Structuralist Theory, or Marxist Film Theory, provide a language or set of terms for articulating the attributes of the film?

Take advantage of class resources to explore possible approaches to cultural/historical film analyses, and find out whether you will be expected to do additional research into the film’s context.

Mise-en-scène analysis

A mise-en-scène analysis attends to how the filmmakers have arranged compositional elements in a film and specifically within a scene or even a single shot. This type of analysis organizes the individual elements of a scene to explore how they come together to produce meaning. You may focus on anything that adds meaning to the formal effect produced by a given scene, including: blocking, lighting, design, color, costume, as well as how these attributes work in conjunction with decisions related to sound, cinematography, and editing.

To conduct this type of analysis, you could ask:

·         What effects are created in a scene, and what is their purpose?

·         How does this scene represent the theme of the movie?

·         How does a scene work to express a broader point to the film’s plot?

This detailed approach to analyzing the formal elements of film can help you come up with concrete evidence for more general film analysis assignments.

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WRITING FILM ANALYSIS- Elements for Movie Reviews

A Movie Review

Film analysis is the process by which a film is analyzed in terms of mise-en scène, cinematography, sound, and editing. Film analysis is closely connected to film theory. Preparing to Write the Review While film reviews tend to be fairly short (approximately 600 to 1200 words), they require a lot of preparation before you begin writing a film review

Writing a film review often requires multiple viewings of the film. Plan to watch the film two or even three times.  

1. During the first viewing, surrender yourself to the cinematic experience. look for  themes or patterns, and establish what the film is primarily about. Take note of the main characters, as well as the setting.  

2. During your second viewing, try distancing yourself from the plot and instead focus on interesting elements of the film that you can highlight in the review.

You may separate these elements into two broad categories:  

1.      formal techniques such as cinematography, editing, mise-en-scene, lighting, sound, genre, or narratology, and  

2.       thematic content that resonates with issues such as history, race, gender, sexuality, class, or the environment 

3.After watching the film a second time, evaluate the film’s form and content, then attempt to create a central idea for your review that brings together the film’s formal and thematic elements.  

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Writing the Film Review have certain common elements that most film reviews include.  

1.    The introductory part of a film analysis essay contains some fundamental information about the movie, like the film title, release date, and director’s name. In other words, the reader should get familiar with some background information about the film.- Also, you should point out the central theme or ideas in the movie, explaining the reason why it was made.. It would be good to research the filmmaker because it can reveal significant insights related to the movie which you can use in your analysis. Also, you should point out the central theme or ideas in the movie, explaining the reason why it was made. Don’t hesitate to say what do you think; it’s quite desirable to express your point of view. The last thing your introduction should include is your thesis statement and basically, explain what will be your focus.

 2.Summary : After presenting the main facts about the film, then go deeper into analysis and summaries it. The best way to make sure you’ve covered everything in your summary is to answer great five Ws – who, what, when, where, why, and how, as well. Likewise, you can discuss anything related to your opinion, structure or style. After presenting the main facts about the film, then go deeper into analysis and summarise it. The best way to make sure you’ve covered everything in your summary is to answer great five Ws – who, what, when, where, why, and how, as well. Likewise, you can discuss anything related to your opinion, structure or style.

Accuracy of depiction /Use of sources in the film/Creative elements (quality of script, visual design, performance, lighting, and makeup, costume, set design, symbolism)

Prior to viewing the film, you may want to get a sense of the bodies of work by the director, writer, or individual actor. For instance, you may watch other films by the same director or writer in order to get a sense of each individual style. This will enable you to contextualize the film and determine whether it works as a continuation and/or disruption within the broad trends of the director’s or writer’s work. 

Scenario: A good script has a logical sequence of events, completion of scenes, characters development, and dialogs. So, these are the elements you should analyze when it comes to the scenario. After watching the film, try to reproduce the plot mentally and see if you understood the logic of events and the motives of the actors. If it’s difficult to explain or find reasons for some scene, then it isn’t such a great scenario.

 Plot Summary: Remember that many readers of film reviews have not yet seen the film. While you  want to provide some plot summary, keep this brief and avoid specific details that would spoil the  viewing for others.

Content : A film’s content includes its plot (what it’s about), characters, and setting. You’ll need to determine the main plot points of the film and how the film’s story works overall. Are there parts that don’t make sense? Are certain characters more important than others? What is the relationship between the movie’s plot and its setting? A discussion of a film’s content provides good context for an analysis of its form.

Directing: The director is responsible for every aspect of the movie process, such as scenario execution, selection of the plans, and even tasks for actors. In this part of the analysis, you can focus on the fact how the director realized the script or compare this film to his other films. It will help you understand better his way of directing and come up to some conclusions relevant to your thesis and analysis.

Acting : Casting is another significant element to take into consideration in your film analysis essay. Actors bring the script and director’s idea into reality. Therefore, after watching the movie, think if the actors are realistic and if they portray the role of their character effectively? More importantly, consider how their acting corresponds to the main idea of the film and your thesis statement.

Musical elements: This represents an important element of every movie. It sets the mood and enhances some actions or sceneries of the film. That’s why you should try to evaluate how music reflects the mood of the film or the impact it has on what is happening on the screen. Is it supportive or distracting?

Visual elements: Visual elements, like special effects, costumes, and make-up, also have a considerable role in the overall movie impact. They need to reflect the atmosphere of the film. It is especially important for historical movies because visual elements need to evoke a specific era. Therefore, pay attention to costumes and special effects and analyse their impact on the film.

 Form: Form refers to all of the aesthetic and/or formal elements that make a story into a movie. You can break  down form into several categories: 

Mise-En-Scène : 

The mise-en-scène definition is really about how everything within a frame of film is arranged. From the set and prop design to the lighting and even to how the actors are blocked throughout a scene. A good way to think about it is as everything in front of the camera.

How do props and costumes convey characters and themes? Are particular colors dominant (or absent)? Is the setting significant? How does the lighting help convey the setting and the action? How is character blocking and placement used?  

Cinematography: This element comprises all aspects of the movie that derive from the way a  camera moves and works. You’ll need to pay attention to elements like camera angles, distances  between the camera and the subject, and types of shots (i.e. close-up, aerial, etc.).

Lighting: Films use lighting in various ways to communicate certain effects. For instance, noir films  tend to utilize chiaroscuro lighting (deep contrasts between light and dark) to express a sense of  secrecy or foreboding.  Where is the camera placed in relation to the action?  

Costumes, Props, and Sets: 

A prop is any inanimate object that an actor interacts with in a film. There is a wide range of props that vary on how they are used and what they are used for. Props are bought, designed, and created by the property department (also called props department) which is led by the prop master. Unlike set dressing, props are touched and handled by actors so they must fit the film’s aesthetic and design while also being functional. Are the costumes and props believable in relation to the film’s content and setting? 

Editing: When you are preparing to write a movie review, pay close attention to elements like  the length of shots, transitions between scenes, or any other items that were finalized after filming. 

What kinds of transitions are there between shots? Are these always the same? Do they change? Does the editing have a particular rhythm, and is it consistent? 

Sound:  The way a film uses sound can vary considerably. Most movies have a soundtrack, sometimes with music composed specifically for the film. Some films play around with ambient sounds or use silence at key points to signify important moments. 

Description - While the plot summary will give the reader a general sense of what the film is about, also include a more detailed description of your particular cinematic experience watching the film. This  may include your personal impression of what the film looks, feels, and sounds like. In other words, what stands out in your mind when you think about this particular film?  

Analysis - In order to explain your impression of the film, consider how well the film utilizes formal techniques and thematic content. How do the film’s formal techniques (such as cinematography, editing, mise-en-scène, lighting, diegetic and non-diegetic sound, genre, or narrative) affect the way the film looks, feels, and sounds to you? How does the thematic content (such as history, race, gender, sexuality, class, or the environment) affect your experience and interpretation? Also, do the formal  techniques work to forward the thematic content?

Your opinion: Also, films are complex artwork that include many creative elements which are all connected and have their reason of existence.

Conclusion: The closing of your film review should remind the reader of your general thoughts and impressions of the film. You may also implicitly or explicitly state whether or not you recommend the film. 

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Lighting

The design of lighting in cinema remains one of the most important elements of a shot .

 In early cinema, natural lighting was crucial for the clarity of images . In early cinema, the sun, as the strongest source of light, was a natural key light with any surrounding reflective surfaces acting as fill and back lights. 

 

 By the late 1910s and 1920s, most lighting had become artificial, and the function of lighting had moved from simply lending light to a scene to using lighting to add emotional nuance and depth to characters and space. 

The cinematographer or lighting director would control the amount of light that enters any scene, and, through the manipulation of light and shadows, how we understand the cinematic world.

The three-point system forms the basis of most film lighting. This system is composed of three lights: 

1.   the key light, 

2.   the fill light and the 

3.   back light.

 The key light provides the main source of illumination, while the softer fill light ‘fills’ out the shadows cast by the key light on faces and the background. 

Today, you can still see directors on exterior shoots using the natural light of the sun to define characters and reflectors as fillers to bounce light back unto surfaces.

 A back light completes the triad of lights by subtly defining character outlines and separating the actor from the background to achieve a three-dimensional look.

Early filmmakers would often deliberately place the back light behind their stars with the intent of creating a ‘HALO EFFECT’ around their head to emphasize their virtue. 

Lighting as an ELEMENT OF MISE-EN-SCÈNE is rigidly controlled by the lighting director to imply meaning. Through varying different levels of key, fill and back lighting the specific world of a film. 

Lighting is important for PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT. Through its presence it can reveal something about a character, and thereby deepen the meaning in a story. Conversely the absence of light and presence of shadows can also tell us more about the inner state of characters and the tone of a film than words or actions alone can always disclose. 

 

Lighting can produce A DIVERSITY OF CONTRASTING meanings. For instance, it can aid in enhancing realism in a scene, but it can alternatively be used to create subjective spaces that expose the mental workings of characters. It can make a character appear angelic .

 

Soft lighting, typically some type of diffused lighting, is often used for BEAUTY SHOTS or TO SOFTEN THE APPEARANCE OF THE ACTOR. 

Soft light hides wrinkles and other undesirable marks on the body in order to create a FETISHIZED IMAGE OF BEAUTY, CONTRAST IN THE IMAGE. ,INNOCENCE OR VULNERABILITY.

According to Richard Dyer, glow remains key to idealized representations of white women, especially in black & white cinema.

 

THE KEY LIGHT, as THE STRONGEST SOURCE OF ILLUMINATION, is also a hard light. 

HARD LIGHTING CAN BE DEFINED AS LIGHTING THAT CASTS SHARP AND DEFINED SHADOWS, IN OTHER WORDS, AS LIGHTING THAT SHOWS THE  SILHOUETTES AND (IM) PERFECTIONS OF THE BODY.

A SPOTLIGHT, the unfiltered light of a harsh sun or single uncovered bulb in a small dark room can all be sources of hard lighting. The hard lighting is creating a dramatic CHIAROSCURO EFFECT that highlights her fairness against the blackness of clothing and background. 

The beauty of the image transcends the action of the narrative, and the DELIBERATE USE OF LIGHT fosters the audience’s involvement in the screen.

 Lighting can be HIGH KEY OR LOW KEY, emanate from different sources and directions, and, influence the look and feel of a scene through its color.

 

In contrast to high key lighting, low key lighting is characterized by ITS DARKER, SHADOWY LOOK.

 

 Low key lighting is most often used in the genres of horror, thrillers, and film noir to stylistically depict dark social conditions and experiences.

 For example, in the crime film, The Godfather (1972), Francis Ford Coppola uses low key lighting as a means to create character.

The particular use of LOW-KEY LIGHTING here has the double effect of shading or hooding. THE LOW KEY LIGHTING aids in the expression of our entry into an enigmatic (mysterious)world.

A different approach to lighting darker skin tones to highlight not only the beautiful diversity of skin tones across ethnicities but also to light clearly for character mood and film genre.

 

https://www.matrix.edu.au/film-techniques-lighting/

 https://www.matrix.edu.au/film-techniques-lighting/

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