How the Fallacies of Thought Apply to Film and TV
Black Mirror
Nick Wall/Netflix
One of my favorite things to do is argue about film and TV with my friends. But in this age of diminished media literacy, you need to know the arguments people may throw at you to prove you wrong.
And you can counter with some of your own. Plus, if you're writing or directing movies, think about what you want that story to say.
Films and TV shows aren't just about entertainment; they can be powerful tools of persuasion.
They often use fallacies of thought to create compelling narratives and drive home messages.
Fallacies can be used to develop characters, with heroes relying on emotional appeals or hasty decisions, while villains might use straw man arguments or target opponents personally. Plots can be fueled by false dilemmas that create tension, or by oversimplified conflicts that make the good guys seem even better.
Even the messages a film conveys can be influenced by fallacies, with tear-jerking scenes or stirring music swaying our emotions even if the underlying logic is weak.
You can control the audience and have them in the palm of your hand. And that's a good way to get a reader to pass your script up the ladder.
As viewers, it's important to be aware of these tactics. Recognizing fallacies helps us become more critical viewers, able to separate emotional manipulation from sound arguments. It allows us to appreciate the complexities of a film and form our own reasoned responses to the ideas presented.
Let me know what you think in the comments.