Soap operas will not wash for wildlife

Somerville, Keith; Dickman, Amy; Johnson, Paul J.; Hart, Adam G.

doi:10.1002/pan3.10202

Cited by 15 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…commissioning bodies) and target viewership all shape producers' choices of narrative framing and what to include. While affective storytelling and arresting aesthetics remain central (Somerville et al, 2021) F I G U R E 1 An illustration of the process by which visual media impacts human-nature interactions. Visual media is produced in various forms with different purposes in mind (Section 2.1).…”

Section: Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The implications of digital visual media for human–nature relationships

et al. 2021

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We provide an overview of the processes through which visual media can influence human-nature interactions (Figure 1), following a narrative from the initial production of content, through consumption of and engagement with different forms of digital visual media,This is an open access article under the terms of the Creat ive Commo ns Attri bution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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Section: Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The implications of digital visual media for human–nature relationships

et al. 2021

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“…While the anthropomorphic approach in film (particularly in the documentary genre) has been heavily criticised for a variety of reasons (e.g. see Bousé, 2011;Somerville et al, 2021), it can also be a valuable tool for making the non-human more relatable to an audience, thus making it easier to identify and/or empathise with them (Tam, 2015;Tam et al, 2013). Indeed, Tam et al (2013) found that anthropomorphism resulted in greater connectedness to nature and subsequent PEB.…”

Section: Identity the Self And Environmental Filmsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The full story: Understanding how films affect environmental change through the lens of narrative persuasion

2021

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1. Researchers in conservation fields have recently highlighted the potential for visual storytelling to convey environmental messages to large audiences. However, an effective model for how such narratives can produce environmental outcomes, such as human-nature connection and pro-environmental behaviour (PEB), has not yet been developed.2. Substantial evidence now suggests that narrative is an effective means of changing beliefs, attitudes and behaviours. This effect is demonstrated in diverse disciplines and understood within the theoretical frameworks of narrative persuasion.3. We propose a conceptual framework for understanding the impacts of environmental films on environmental behaviours, and connection with nature. Linking insights from the narrative persuasion field with those of conservation psychology, we identify three promising pathways through which environmental films might influence their audiences: (a) reduced resistance to environmental messages, (b) interactions with audience identity and (c) meaningful media experiences.4. This analysis raises key questions and illuminates priority areas for future research, with an aim to complement and extend existing calls to better appreciate the role of film in addressing environmental problems. Research moving forward should focus on understanding the role environmental films can play in connecting people with nature, promoting PEB and the relationship between the two. Specifically, more attention should be paid to the role of deictic shift in encouraging environmental outcomes, the relation between audiences and characters and the power for film to support self-expansion.

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“…Somerville et al (2021) most recently outline examples of these falsified narratives in 2018's Dynasties, where frequently the framing of situations and the accompanying narratives, or 'storytelling', are at odds with the scientific evidence. One such example occurs in the episode following a pack of African wild dogs, where exaggerated tensions between lions and wild dogs are created through the narrative, pitting the species against each other with little acknowledgement of the realities of coexistence within their home ranges (Somerville et al, 2021). Accusations of misrepresentation have also been voiced in relation to the controversial inclusion of footage taken from captive and studio settings in productions such as Frozen Planet and Blue Planet II (BBC News, 2011;Carrington, 2017aCarrington, , 2017b.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Indeed, portrayals of apparently healthy ecosystems risk contributing to extinction denialist rhetoric (Lees et al, 2020). These concerns over misrepresentation voiced in the media are not reserved to journalists alone but rather amplify the sentiments reflected among academics both on the topic of wider environmental portrayals (Louson, 2018), but also more specific treatment of species portrayals such as anthropomorphism and false narratives (Bousé, 1998; Somerville et al, 2021). Somerville et al (2021) most recently outline examples of these falsified narratives in 2018's Dynasties , where frequently the framing of situations and the accompanying narratives, or ‘storytelling’, are at odds with the scientific evidence.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These concerns over misrepresentation voiced in the media are not reserved to journalists alone but rather amplify the sentiments reflected among academics both on the topic of wider environmental portrayals (Louson, 2018), but also more specific treatment of species portrayals such as anthropomorphism and false narratives (Bousé, 1998; Somerville et al, 2021). Somerville et al (2021) most recently outline examples of these falsified narratives in 2018's Dynasties , where frequently the framing of situations and the accompanying narratives, or ‘storytelling’, are at odds with the scientific evidence. One such example occurs in the episode following a pack of African wild dogs, where exaggerated tensions between lions and wild dogs are created through the narrative, pitting the species against each other with little acknowledgement of the realities of coexistence within their home ranges (Somerville et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Natural history films generate more online interest in depicted species than in conservation messages

2022

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The greatest crises of our time are environmental. To combat the effects of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation will require the actions of all members of society. However, despite widespread consensus from the scientific community that human actions are driving this rapid environmental degradation, it remains unclear whether and to what extent the public is receiving and engaging with conservation messages. Natural history films have been suggested as one possible medium for generating awareness of conservation issues en masse but some environmental advocates have criticised these shows for lacking strong, focused conservation messaging. This study quantifies audience engagement with conservation themes and species depicted on screen in two BBC natural history super productions (Blue Planet II and Seven Worlds, One Planet) and a stand‐alone documentary with an explicit focus on conservation (Extinction: The Facts) by using big data analyses of Wikipedia page views during and after broadcast of each show and causal impact analysis. Our results indicate that natural history films are more effective at generating species awareness than transmitting conservation messages, but that audience engagement generated by conservation‐focused documentaries can be comparable to that generated by entire film series focused on natural history. With the ultimate goal of contributing to long‐term behavioural change, our results suggest that natural history films have the potential to drive mass audience engagement with conservation themes through better collaboration between filmmakers, conservationists and conservation messaging researchers. Finally, this study underscores how big data approaches can quantify the effectiveness of conservation messages across different mediums. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

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Soap operas will not wash for wildlife

Abstract: This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Cited by 15 publications

References 21 publications

The implications of digital visual media for human–nature relationships

The implications of digital visual media for human–nature relationships

The full story: Understanding how films affect environmental change through the lens of narrative persuasion

Natural history films generate more online interest in depicted species than in conservation messages

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