This was my first exposure to the documentary film that explores the lives of 6 LDS members that live anywhere from Nepal to Georgia. Each individual has their own story. One member is a Humanitarian worker, another is a Bishop. One LDS mother tells of her struggles as a young adult and the journey she took that led her to the LDS faith. The film explores the life of the head coach at the U.S. Naval Academy, a kick boxer in Costa Rica, and the candy bomber of the 1940's Berlin Airlift (meetthemormons).
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, engaging in the use of social media in order to introduce the film, is featured in this YouTube clip:
Elder Holland explains that the film is meant to be informative and not a proselytizing effort. Also, as a film first intended for the Legacy Theatre on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, the film did so well and is why the film made it to major theaters. Research accumulated after the film debut at the Legacy Theatre, according to Elder Holland, indicated that viewers were more likely to:
1. Consider Mormons as Christian.
2. Understand more clearly the name of the Church.
3. Be more respectful.
Elder Holland then goes on to address the social context. The social context has a lot to do with the
roles individuals play and the inherent rules that accompany those roles. The role in
this case is being a Mormon. Elder Holland urges members to share the film, to "like" the film's Facebook page, and to share the trailer or other material. That is what happened. Many members took seriously their role as Mormon as well as social media user and went to work, posting and promoting. Post after post on the MEETTHEMORMONS Instagram profile (5,114 followers) debuts people in front of movie marquees, pictures with members from the films, or followers singing their version of the song, "Glorious." There are still posts that show up on my feed almost daily that seem to carry a reminder that the film is still out there, still waiting to be seen. The social context has a lot to do with networking and spreading the word and that is exactly what is happening. This is citizen journalism. Spreading a message, promoting a film, religious or otherwise, is at the tip of our fingertips.
The LDS, or Mormon faith, ('Mormon' is a nickname) is definitely a culture. The film is about members of this culture. The YouTube clip from above includes Elder Jeffrey R. Holland talking about one of the most important aspects that the film depicts, that of these members "...striving to follow the Savior and the difference that that had made in their lives." This film and that purpose is a look into LDS culture through the lives of people in this film. The film was released on October 10, 2014, a week after LDS General Conference. General Conference is another facet of the culture and was effectively used to advertise the film during breaks between Conference sessions. These contexts seem to be interrelated at times. The cultural practice of watching General Conference was used to promote the social context of viewing and supporting the film.
The LDS, or Mormon faith, ('Mormon' is a nickname) is definitely a culture. The film is about members of this culture. The YouTube clip from above includes Elder Jeffrey R. Holland talking about one of the most important aspects that the film depicts, that of these members "...striving to follow the Savior and the difference that that had made in their lives." This film and that purpose is a look into LDS culture through the lives of people in this film. The film was released on October 10, 2014, a week after LDS General Conference. General Conference is another facet of the culture and was effectively used to advertise the film during breaks between Conference sessions. These contexts seem to be interrelated at times. The cultural practice of watching General Conference was used to promote the social context of viewing and supporting the film.
The psychological context is one that is best illustrated by a screenshot:
These are what audience members thought of the film. My favorite? The last one on the right: "I liked that it felt like you were getting to know people and that those people happen to be Mormon" (Elaine Bradley, Neon Trees). The word 'emotion' stuck out to me while we were talking about the various contexts in class. Testimonials like these, accompanied with visual aids aimed at inciting emotion, personify the psychological context for me. These people are happy and they have good things to say about the film. This approach is meant for the psyche. Notice the social media icons below the boxes, ready for sharing and distribution on multiple social media sites.
It's not all bunnies and gumdrops, though. Of course there are always two sides to each story. Upon browsing a website called "Metacritic," a user will be exposed to opposing opinions about the film.
Obviously there is more than one way to look at the psychological context of this film. Some viewers came away uplifted and better educated, other viewers saw the film and its intent very differently. Here we see citizen journalism at work yet again. Websites are being created where viewer and writer alike can post reviews and influence perception.
I've lived in an LDS bubble my whole life, assuming everyone is LDS, LDS but inactive, linked to the LDS church in some way, or at least having good, LDS values and intentions. I am not saying I am opposed to the bubble, I am saying that I have come to place a high value on being informed. I believe this is far safer than being ignorant. Websites like "Metacritic" are evidence that there are always going to be people outside of that bubble with different opinions than my own. Not only different opinions but also varying methods of sharing those opinions.
That being said, I think the fact that the LDS church is utilizing social media tools more now to spread the word and appeal to an audience that at times, can only be reached by these mediums (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, etc.), is brilliant. Walk into any public setting and you will see, at any point in time, a vast number of the people present with their face down, consumed by the electronic device in their hands. If the device is not in their hands, it is somewhere close by. Sometimes it is the only way to reach the people. Sad? I think so. Effective? Obviously. There is a lot more behind the scenes of Meet the Mormons, and I was intrigued as I delved a bit farther into the different contexts that are intrinsic within the film.
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