No matter what type of media you intake, it's all constructed and influences you whether you think it does or not. It could be the hippest new blockbuster that has catch phrases you use with your coworkers, the family values of sitcoms and and how to tackle difficult situations, or the documentary whose prime function is to educate and influence ( without mentioning names, I have seen scenes where a person in a wheelchair was forced to used stairs for dramatic effect when a ramp was clearly seen in the background- I wont mention names but the Title rhymes with "Trolling for Gollembine"). We are bombarded with adds for smell goods and deodorants that would have us believe with vigor that a slightest smell from the opposite sex will have us procreating in under 6 min flat.

When you buy clothes somehow, they never look as good on an average person, or in a changing room mirror and we beat ourselves up about it. And when the Hollywood elite are doing their daily tasks like us regular folk, the Papparazzi just happens to snap off a few shots in motion when the spring of their one leg is thrown behind the other and cellulite is crunched with potential energy to throw the other leg forward ( 1000's of shots they get to choose the most inopportune time for the cover story). Then we have these thousands of glamour infused magazines that meet us at the check out counter. When will it end I ask you when ..... will ... it end?

The question remains: Do you have the tools to see when your reality is being messed with? More often than not it is- and we stress out to keep up with unreal expectations. Check out this article and watch the video below, an understand that this is just the tip of the ice-berg. Now imagine what things look like out of context, with make-up, slyly chosen angles, lenses, or slick editing.

And it doesn't Stop there. There was a Sleeper film of 2004 Called "Final Cut" that demonstrated how a little bit of editing can be the difference between good memories and psychological damage.

Tom Parsons

The founder of Uddershiet Films and film enthusiast, maintains a fun collection of movies that he regularly references for technical examples, discussions with colleagues, friends, students, and production staff. Although there are particular films, shorts, and videos that he prefers over others, seldom is there a movie that he doesn't like.