On February 29, 2016 Deadline Hollywood reports that last night’s Academy Awards Show hit a 8-year low in ratings. Many viewers have voted No to the Academy Awards by not watching the Academy Awards shows and others like them. Watching something on TV, in theaters, online is a Yes vote and not watching it is a No vote! What viewers as patrons see or not are Yes or No votes that have impact on what is produced, sustained, or removed and replaced. Consumers have social responsibility, influence, and power to encourage the best of programming that is not only entertaining, but edifying and enlightening. And they are doing just that by what they choose to see or not, as well as by what they are saying on social media and consumer feedback tools.
Much is at stake for the good or harm of our world in what is produced. Research studies have provided evidence that correlates what we watch with behavior and brain changes. The content of media, movies, television programs reaches and affects the whole world. Support for redemptive and positive family media is becoming increasing critical. The epic battle between Dark and Light in our world is escalating. Media has the opportunity to contribute to the Light and to overcome the Darkness. We are in an increasingly monumental struggle with evil from within and without. More people around the world today see movies, television, and other forms of media entertainment than read books. Young people are especially vulnerable to dark and evil media influences. Redemptive filmmakers and media producers at the highest levels in Hollywood and at all levels throughout the world are working hard to produce edifying, redemptive, uplifting programming for the eternal good of our world. There are many ways that consumers can support them.
Most anyone today with a computer and internet connection around the world can exercise consumer power for good or bad. One way to exercise consumer power to influence good TV programs and movies is on IMDb.com. IMDb is the internet movie database for films, television, and other forms of entertainment media produced and distributed around the world. Consumers can promote the ranking of good films, filmmakers and media by doing the following: Vote/Rate (at the top of pages); Like pages, photos, demos; post comments (at the bottom of pages); visit/revisit and more. The most influential support is given simply by visiting/revisiting IMDb pages. Every visit to an IMDb page counts in improving the status of the page. IMDB states, “One of the major factors that STARmeter takes into account is the number of page views your filmography page gets on our site.”
Further, on many online sites the public can Like, rate movies, and share postings to social media sites. On most movie theater sites consumers can review and rate movies. Furthermore, many ads have feedback tools below them that enable the public to express their opinions about the suitability of the ad. Consumer feedback facilitates the continuation of ads or their withdrawal. Consumers can rate movies on Netflix and other on-demand or movie rental sites. How consumers use or not use their power and voice affects what is produced and sustained. Consumers’ voices and their money in sales affect what is made and continues. The bottom line is that when consumers go to movies, watch television programs, visit an online site and more they are voting, supporting, and perpetuating what view.
Visiting and revisiting IMDb pages for good actors, filmmakers, and media projects is significant now with IMDb.com because some investors and distributors gauge the potential of movies in development or pre-production by looking at IMDb numbers for the movie and those attached to them on IMDb Pro. Some casting directors use IMDb rankings, resumes, and demos for casting. The lower the numbers in the rankings, the more popular is the movie, actor, or others attached to it. IMDb Pro also provides a user-friendly service for casting directors to find talent and for talent to find projects to which to submit.
IMDb reflects the popularity and marketing value, but not necessarily the quality of projects and people on its database. As a database, IMDb provides information for the public and industry insiders for a project’s cast, characters, and crew. Individuals, companies, projects improve in ranking with each visit to IMDb sites to which they are attached. Casting directors, producers, distributors, investors view IMDb rankings, resumes, and demos. Consumers can influence producers, distributors, and investors and facilitate the success of a movie, actors, or crew by clicking on Like buttons on IMDb and by visiting/revisiting IMDb pages.
Consumers make a difference when they actively express their voices at box offices with their ticket money; on IMDb with their visits and votes; in other online feedback sites and more. Movies do more than entertain because they affect the brains and behavior of viewers. They affect the world for good or evil. Consumers have social responsibility and power to promote what is good for the world.
For the current Easter Season there are some outstanding movies in theaters to support in every way possible. “Risen” (PG-13) with Joseph Fiennes is one of the best movies in theaters in recent years. The acting, cinematography, music, and comic relief are outstanding. There are two more excellent redemptive movies of this caliber coming to theaters during the Easter Season. “The Young Messiah” is released for opening March 11 in theaters. The music for this wonderful movie is by the composer for “Passion of the Christ,” John Debny. “Young Messiah” also has excellent performances set in the backgrounds of international locations.
March 18, “Miracles from Heaven” comes to theaters. Jennifer Garner gives a moving, heart-felt performance in this movie, based on a true story. Children and families will enjoy and appreciate “The Young Messiah” and “Miracles From Heaven.” Kylie Rogers, as central character Anna Beam, gives a captivating, role-modeling performance for young people in “Miracles From Heaven.” In this movie Queen Latifah gives delightful, comedic, and heart-felt performance as Angela. Enjoy good redemptive, family movies and actively support them so that more like them will be made.