Today, my group and I were able to talk more about the actual plot and content of our film and the intro. We shared ideas that we had been presented with at our separate group meeting at the Wave, and decided that we wanted to stick with the mystery genre, and work within the psychological disorder sub-genre. None of us really knew much about these "disorders" so I did some research, and I became (very) annoyed at how poorly the media represents mental illnesses.
Mental note: my new goal is to not misrepresent a psychological disorder in our film introduction and plot.
The primary source of information about mental illnesses to the masses comes from media, most especially film and TV shows. The most common disorders that are presented incorrectly include the bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression. Mental illness now has a negative connotation due to the media portraying these disorders negatively, incorrectly, and stereotypically. The entire perception that the masses have of this type of suffering has been completely and utterly skewed by the power of the media and the ignorance of people.
So, you may be asking yourself how these disorders are misrepresented (even if you're not, keeeep reading) and I have compiled information for that purpose. Stephen Hinshaw, professor of psychology at the University of California–Berkeley, states that “the worst stereotypes come out in such depictions: mentally ill individuals as incompetent, dangerous, slovenly, undeserving...the portrayals serve to distance 'them' from the rest of 'us.'” Even a classic, like Psycho, represents an individual who is "psycho" because he has a mental disorder and is therefore capable of threatening others' safety. The film features a schizophrenic man that stabs his guests that are staying in the hotel he manages, and clearly makes schizophrenics appear as though they are dangerous people. However, leading author and psychiatrist, Evan Katz confirms the misrepresentation by describing people who have schizophrenia to be harmless and not causing high-risk. Not only are these disorders presented negatively, they are also portrayed incorrectly and stereotypically. Filmmakers and producers will occasionally include a "positive spin" on the mental illness, not only creating inaccuracy, but also creating a lack of real understanding of the disorder by the audience (representation=poor). For example, bipolar disorder is represented in Silver Linings Playbook as something that can be cured through dancing and meeting new people. Likewise, the main character in As Good as It Gets suffers from OCD, but is quickly improving after he makes a friend and falls in love. Although this may seem positive, it really isn't because it implies that the person (in real life) with the illness doesn't want to be cured since it seems quite simple to cure a mental illness (in the media). This has become a common misconception, especially with depression since it is a stereotype that people that are depressed just need to get more fresh air and be friendly. Although there are some exceptions to the misrepresentation of mental illnesses within media (Nash in A Beautiful Mind), it is still prominent and demanding of change.
Even though the dramatization and the exaggeration of a mental illness can be considered a convention under the sub-genre of a psychological disorder film, it is something that I, a film student, have chosen to challenge and not conform to. I do not believe it is acceptable for the media to misrepresent someone's life, challenges, and daily sufferings for the sake of theatrical purposes.
Fawcett, K. (n.d.). How Mental Illness is Misrepresented in the Media. Retrieved March 16, 2016, from http://health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/articles/2015/04/16/how-mental-illness-is-misrepresented-in-the-media
How TV is changing perceptions of mental disorders. (n.d.). Retrieved March 16, 2016, from http://national.deseretnews.com/article/1316/how-tv-is-changing-perceptions-of-mental-disorders.html
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