I wake up this morning to my friend playing a movie. The new Hunger Games. I try to focus on work. Good luck. Hollywood understands the power of emotion, as this film is sopping with it. Anger, sadness, fear, rage, joy, comfort, trust, loyalty (yes, not all are “emotions,” maybe just feelings), betrayal, suspense, excitement, etc., and the movie is not even half over.
And talk about the senses! Films have incredibly stimulating visuals and scores and sound effects that give you the sense that you are actually in the dystopian world portrayed. Thank goodness they haven’t figured out how to do smell or touch yet. I hope taste is not even an option.
The medium of video is a very powerful way to evoke emotion. In a conversation last night, I was saying how movies are typically what triggers me to cry. No idea why, just something in some movie will happen and bam, tears.
Hollywood gets this. Some of the best emotional training for humans is for actors. I don’t think Hollywood would have such a universal appeal if it didn’t focus so intensely on emotions. How could any of us around the world understand the mental perspective of being stuck in a nationally-televised, fight-to-the-death battle? I don’t think we can. But we can sure feel the emotions that other people are feeling.
And…unpause.