Post Four

This post will discuss the manor in which ideologies are expressed explicitly and implicitly.

Ideologies In Filmmaking

In todays film industry wether it be big blockbusters or low budget independent films they all have some type of ideology. For a better understanding of what ideologies are, Louis Giannetti describes them in Understanding Movies. He explains "ideologies is usually defined as a body of ideas reflecting the social needs and aspirations of an individual, group, class, or culture." Ideologies can also be described as "assumptions" which can be due to it being felt that ideological beliefs and values are fundamental to self-image.

Ideologies in films are normally broken down into implicit and explicit. Implicit implies that the message tends to be hidden or tamed down to allow for a larger audience to watch. Whereas explicit ideologies are loud, clear and very blatantly obvious.

Perfect examples of implicit ideologies can be found within Disney films. Disney films aim to to teach morals to younger audiences but they also leave mixed messages with a wider audiences due to their implicit messages. For example Snow White and Ariel from The Little Mermaid are both beautiful, kind, trusting heroines and in Snow White's case she's also exceptionally domesticated. Both characters go on a journey and end up meeting the men of their dreams. This gives the younger audience the "Happily Ever After." Realistically though Snow White displays a unrealistic depiction of love and relationships. Once Snow White meets Prince Charming she runs off leaving behind her voluntary servitude with the Seven Dwarfs. This is a inaccurate reflection of what a genuine romantic relationship actually is.

Similarly with Ariel, Disney suggests that a woman's personal sense of identity is secondary to the love of a man. Once Ariel meets and falls in love with Eric she gives up her beautiful voice and mermaid tail, which are her trademarks, to pursue Eric. Finally she chooses to remain in human form to live with Eric. Disney portrays the implicit ideology message in both films that the love of a man in more valuable over who you are and what you have.

Explicit ideologies which are commonly are better known as the audience being aware of what they are seeing with no hidden extras. This style of film making allows different audience types all to follow the same narrative and come away with the same ideas. This can be seen in Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World. The plot of the film is set up early on and the viewers become aware that it will be easy to follow. The narrative tells of of slacker rocker Scott Pilgrim and his band Sex Bob-omb! defeat the seven evil ex's of his dream girl Ramona Flowers. Pilgrim must overcome the ex's to achieve his goal of dating Flowers. The film shows audiences that good conquer evil and the guy always gets the girl.

That was just a few examples of styles of ideologies which are found in films. However due to each of us being unique each viewer will understand, decipher and take away a different meaning. No set of ideological beliefs are absolute.

Sources:

www.imdb.com

www. oxforddictionaries.com

www. wikipedia.com

www.youtube.com

GIANNETTI, L. (2007), Understanding Movies, New Jersey: Prentice Hall