Desensitization to (Fake) Violence

There is a very well researched and constructed argument that violence in movies and video games desensitizes children (and adults) and leads to more violence/aggression.

There is no way to argue that violence on stage or television/film and video games does not have an effect. Our goal in any entertainment medium is to get a response, to arouse our audience. Just because the result can negative does not mean we can write off the natural process of habituation.

What can be argued is the effect. In my opinion, audiences in general are being desensitized to fake violence.

A vast majority of what is shown does not display combat or death in a realistic way. Pleading is often absent, bone chilling screams of pain or fear are often left out, blood is usually absent or unrealistic, and most important, the consequences of committing the acts of violence are often glossed over or entirely left out. When extremely realistic violence is portrayed, the movies are most often given an R rating or higher.

On stage we do not portray violence to its realest element specifically because it will make the audience uncomfortable. An uncomfortable audience can’t focus on anything other than alleviating their discomfort (some will close their eyes, clench their teeth, focus on breathing, think of something else, etc.), which means they are not seeing the story progress. For almost all instances of violence in the entertainment industry, violence is supposed to support and enhance the story.

We have the luxury as choreographers to choose which movements are used based off of what they mean at the time. We examine, alter, and enhance the reactions in the body and vocals to each moment. We dice up the script and insert dialogue in between punches or kicks to the face.

Think of the last real fight you saw. Do you remember them being able to make witty, intelligent remarks?

Most of the time clear speech in the midst of a flight of fight physiological response is impossible. When the adrenaline kicks in and the heart rate skyrockets past 175bpm the body’s fine motor skills are all but gone. Speech is a fine motor skill. All your blood is moved to your core and major muscles to facilitate survival. Diplomacy has failed, so your brain scraps energy to the language muscles and areas in favor of its defense systems. At most, you will get extremely high or low pitched grunts or mono syllabic responses. You can be trained to override this response, but it is not automatic and you have to endure high stress simulations to become desensitized.

Vocals are just one example of the vast departure from reality that choreographed violence entails. Body reactions are enhanced; blood, sweat, tears, spit, and all other nasty bodily functions are usually non existent; noise and energy from bystanders is a pale facsimile.

The kids we have to be worried about are the ones who fill their time and are fascinated with realistic, gory, violence in their entertainment. On top of that, they are even more of a concern if they are bullied and see real violence on a regular basis. In these cases, they are being desensitized to real violence. In this area the responsibility belongs to the parents. If you don’t notice your child watching overly violent material all the time, or witnessing violence in the school or neighborhood, that is a huge problem. Even adults need help in those circumstances.

We are not off the hook as entertainers or choreographers, however.

Some argue that more realism is needed to keep the audience entertained and engaged because they are getting bored. Chasing a new convention for the sake of its newness makes it quickly go from novel to gimmicky. Audiences get bored with action when its just there for its own sake. High flying wire fights were interesting in the beginning not just because they were dynamic but because they also fit into the story of the movies at the time. When people started flying about for no justifiable reason, or just for the effect, the novelty wore off.

While my argument is brief and overly simplified in the context of how complex this issue is, I firmly believe that as long as we remember that the main point of our jobs as actors, directors, stunt performers, choreographers, etc, is storytelling, then no matter how real the violence looks or doesn’t look, the message that comes through will take focus and help to improve society. Staying focused on the story makes everything else fall into place, its what we are paid to do.