The Impact of Film and Music on Popular

Culture

Dr. Melodie R. PhillipsAssociate Professor of Marketing

MTSU

Does the Entertainment Industry Impact Society?

The common debate in the field Does the film and music industries reflect

changes in society or; Does film and music actually initiates changes

in popular culture

Film Impactson AmericanCulture

In America film has fundamentally altered the entire concept of mass communication

In the 1940’s more than 80 million people a week went to the movies

Throughout the 1950’s and 1960’s attendance fell to a low of 926 million visits per year as compared to 4.2 billion visits per year in 1946

Modern Film Attendance

1977 marked a record year for attendance after much decline

American films are now the leading US export Imagine the global impact of US films on

foreign cultures

Film Content Reflected Attitudes in America 1950’s – early 1960’s

Content tended to be tame in terms of sexuality

Many films featured 2 twin beds in a married couple’s bedroom

Pregnancy was generally never shown and rarely discussed

1952 first time US Constitution and Free Speech applied to the industry

Mid 1960’s

Major changes in the United States Politically Culturally/Socially Economically

Standards and values were changing Major Scandals erupted over films like “Who’s Afraid of

Virginia Wolf?” for the use of the word “screw” and “hump the hostess” MPAA decided to delete “screw”

1968 the US Supreme Court upheld that states could prevent exposure of books and material to children but not adults

Genesis of Ratings Systems

Designed to remove threat of censorship

Movies followed a system of ratings G – general admission M – mature audiences

parental guidance suggested

Became PG and then ultimately PG and PG-13 (1984)

R – restricted to viewing with a parent for ages 16 and under

X – no one under 17 admitted

Became NC-17 (1990)

Ratings Determinations

Reflect use of Violence Sexuality Sensuality Language Nudity Drug Abuse

System uses surveys to determine relevance and usefulness Changes with societal norms!

Movie Ratings

It is a subjective analysis “I cannot define it, but I

know it when I see it.” Justice Stewart once said referring to pornography

Much like the US Constitution bends and gives with

time with the mores and customs of the time

Impact of Films and Music on Society Movies and Music dare

to discuss controversial topics Guess Who’s Coming to

Dinner – Mixed Race Marriage

American History X – Racism

Fahrenheit 9/11 – US International Policies

Inherit the Wind – Darwin vs. the Bible

Carnal Knowledge – male sexual attitudes and feminism

The Impact of Movies and Music on Society Do Americans see

things in films that they then take to be socially acceptable forms of behavior? Columbine and the

Basketball Diaries and Marilyn Manson

Eminem and social acceptance of teen suicide

Music Reflects Societal Changes

1960’s The Beatles

1970’s Earth Wind and Fire Rufus Parliament

1980’s Impact of Video Wham Culture Club

Impact of Technology Film vs. Music Film Industry has

embraced technology Rentals and Purchases PPV and Cable

Music Industry has struggled with technological advancements Napster, Morpheus Lawsuits against TM