Written Output

1. AGUSTIN, JOHN CHRISTIAN, M.
Essay 1 - Introduction to Film Art
BCOM0823 - Introduction to Film
Watching films with my family during weekends has been our way to spend time
together. During the time of DVD players, we always watch movies from a pirated compact
disc and I know that most of us went through watching illegal films. It sounds ironic because
one of the paths that I am working on right now is to become a filmmaker and it is funny to
think that there were days that I broke one of the rules in film which is to avoid pirated movies.
But, to be honest those days that I’ve been watching films illegally has led to be more
emotionally attached on films, in way that sometimes I criticize them and give my opinions and
thoughts on the way they create it. There were also times that I want to be part of the realities
they conjure up. According to Vox Creative, when we watch a TV show or movie, we empathize
with fictional characters as we would with another “real” person right in front of us. We experience
psychological effects such as identification, self-other taking, and the proximity effect. Basically,
there is a connectivity within the narrative that we are privy to as viewers. But how films
contributed to me as an individual and influence how I approach film-making?
We are still in the process of cultivating our artistic man and woman power and pushing
for the genuine support of the masses towards contemporary arts as a whole. I know that Filipino
films are too far on the way the other countries create movie especially on quality and support,
but for my own observation, Filipino is outstanding in creating stories about family. It’s interesting
for me to see how each member of the family play a role in the film. There are two notable Filipino
films that I have watched and I feel that contribute to me as an individual these are Four Sister’s
and a Wedding and Seven Sundays. The narrative of these two films moved me and teach me a
lot of values, and I believe the families in each movie is memorable. In Four Sister’s and a
Wedding, it taught me to don’t feel attacked if our family is trying to help us maybe they just really
want to help and we are just hurt because of our pride. We should check ourselves and lower our
pride. In Seven Sundays, I’ve learned that in many issues a typical Filipino family faces, in the
end, it depicted the value of being family-oriented. It showed how important it is to Filipinos to take
care of their loved ones. Basically, these two films about family had help me to realize how
important family is and we should give value on them. Moreover, these films moved me and
change my perspective on values of family.
In terms of certain influences on how I approach film-making, South Korean films are finest
and it makes my standard high when it comes to film. There are two notable films that really
impact the way I approach film-making, these are, Train to Busan and Parasite. These two South
Korean films have reached major streaming platforms and have finally started to gain the massive
popularity they deserve all over the world. It is aesthetically pleasing, emotionally captivating and
well-written. Furthermore, it also shows how producers and directors create unpredictable, genre-
bending and masterfully crafted movies. In fact, during the time I’ve been watching these two
films, I never know what I am going to get and I believe that what makes these films so great. My
approach in film-making has develop because of the influence of South Korean films specifically
the way they produce their motion pictures. In general, watching films has shape and influence
me as a human being in a way that I adopt some of the attitudes and styles of the characters I’ve
watched on the screen. Moreover, most movie I’ve watched inspire me in such a way that it makes
me think, be compassionate and inspire me to help others and do good to and for humanity. Tina

2. AGUSTIN, JOHN CHRISTIAN, M.
Essay 1 - Introduction to Film Art
BCOM0823 - Introduction to Film
Kubrak study about ‘Impact of Films: Changes in Young People’s Attitudes after Watching a
Movie’, reveals the influence of films on people's beliefs and opinions, stereotypes and attitudes.
Movies can have a significant impact on gender and ethnic stereotypes, change attitudes towards
certain groups of people and cause newly formed opinions on various issues.
Generally, films have a huge impact on the way I see things and it expands my basic
knowledge of the world around me. It changed my opinions and outlooks in life. Most of the films
I have watched reflect society and transform opinions. Films also help me to understand my own
life, the lives of those around me and even how our society and culture operate. According to
John Belton in his book about ‘Introduction to Movies and Mass Culture’, just as movies reflect
the anxieties, beliefs, and values of the cultures that produce them, they also help to shape and
solidify a culture’s beliefs. There several ways in which films take hold of ourselves, culture and
the modern world we live in, some of them are positive and some are negative. In a nutshell, the
effect of film in our lives are numerous and two-fold. However, we should always remember that
when we watched films, we should think critically and don’t allow films to entirely change who are
really is.