We’ve all had those moments: You’re sitting in a dark living room or theater, popcorn or a drink in hand, and watching a film, and as you watch, you are slowly coming to terms with explosion after expensive explosion. And though you may not say it aloud, you cannot help but think, “That was a lot.”
Be it an intensive scene of passion between characters or explosions so big it shakes the room, sometimes cinema can be a bit much. This feeling is especially true for those who are neurodivergent.
Neurodivergent is differentiation in mental or neurological function. Though one can argue that there is no such thing as two of the same brain—much like no same set of fingerprints, neurodivergence marks differences in processing. These differences can be diagnosed formally as autism, Bi-Polar, ADD, ADHD, GAD, and OCD, and some people are not diagnosed but have some sensitivities. Heightened awareness of the senses is a common factor of neurodivergent thinking. An annoyance that seems common to a neurotypical person is heightened in a neurodivergent's mind to a degree of executive non-functioning.
When it comes to films and movies, sensory and sounds are a way that we connect to the plot and the emotions that unites us as humans. An art form allows us to gaze into the overarching question of “why?” Yet, when it comes to the effects that Hollywood will bang out a pretty buck for, there is no denying that some of these blockbuster booms can be an attack on the senses, even for neurotypical people.
Certain choices in films are not just an annoyance to those who are neurodiverse but energy spending. Using an analogy such as Spoon Theory, coined by Christine Miserandino when talking about chronic illnesses, allows one to understand that activity costs energy or “spoons.” Once a person's “spoons” run low, they are at a higher risk for a physical, emotional, or mental shutdown.
Any activity can spend spoons. For example, it is not just the simple act of going to the store that equals one spoon. Those who are neurodivergent must think of the actions of getting up, getting ready, going to the store, navigating the store, navigating checkout, leaving the store, and putting away the items all as separate spoons. This example does not include any extra triggers of visuals, sounds, or interaction that could happen along the way: Car honking, sirens, shopping cart squeaking.
In short, when discussing films, it is not just the act of sitting down to watch a movie. Neurodivergent people think of what is to be visually and auditorily processed and how much that information impacts them. Those on the neurodiverse spectrum may find themselves unable to keep up with the plot or completely give undivided attention during visually stressful scenes—especially if the content or location is viewed for the first time.
It is not uncommon for neurodivergent people to have comfort shows and movies. These shows do not hold any surprises and can have comforting content that does not elicit an amygdala hi-jack which happens faster the fewer spoons the neurodivergent watcher has at the time of viewing. However, this does not pertain only to the content of the scene, but the visual and audio effects in cinema may be a source of mental pleasure or stress.
What kind of visuals are sensory friendly?
Like a peaceful meditation, one may find scenes of pink bakery boxes aligned in a row or an English field at dawn easy on the eyes and the mind. However, that does not mean a lack of plot, merely an understanding of soft characterization and the environment. Lighting creates the mood in visual pieces and can be a big factor for those who are neurodivergent day today. It is not unheard of that fluorescent lighting, and white lights can be daunting, and flashing lights can be worse. Scenes where a fast-moving train passes bright white lights in a dim subway station, for example, can visually be overwhelming due to the flash.
Visual effects can also be animation itself. The softness of older classical animation can be more appealing to the eye. Comparing older Disney films like Alice in Wonderland with the scenes of the flowers and the tea party to CGI and Digital animation, one can see a contrast in the construction of film and the softness, and non-abrasive art choices that surround older animation.
Many people who are neurodiverse find it difficult to process films such as Frozen due to the animation, quick pace, and inability to track emotions easily. A key factor when understanding interpersonal relationships are expressiveness. Thus when a character is designed in a stagnant digitized format with flashy, chaotic, and intensive visuals and cuts, the character can be deemed inaccessible.
A simple way for any film to become accessible is subtitled. With softer dialogue or quick speaking actors or scenes with a lot to focus on, subtitles are a quick and easy solution for neurodivergent cinema watchers to connect with the film's content. It allows a quick and easy guide for visually processing and helps focus the neurodivergent brain on what is important in the movie.
What kind of sounds are sensory friendly?
A baby crying, a car revving its engines, a fork scraped across a plate, or simple daily sounds one may come into contact with can have an intensive effect on those who are neurodivergent. Thus, when watching a film with someone who is neurodivergent, take note of certain sounds and audio choices of the director and sound designer. Sound is one of the key elements of cinematic immersion, and sound designers know to mix the audio in a way that feels natural in the films.
Having the wrong ringtone for a character or decade can break the illusion as easily as a cell phone ringing in a period piece. A good sound designer will not only consider immersion but how sound overlaps. Muffled sounds do not make good cinematic experiences and can overwhelm even a neurotypical viewer. For neurodivergent people, the sound is intensified and can be overwhelming and energy spending.
One of the biggest elements of sound in films is the soundtrack. Music is the unsung hero in many fantasy battles, lovers' reunions, and bittersweet goodbyes in cinema. Disney has hired rockstars to make featured tracks in beloved classics. Movie scores, much like jingles, are a way for a director to create an earworm and a collective memory. Celine Dion’s ballad “My Heart Will Go On” is eternally paired with Leonardo Dicaprio, Kate Winslet, and an iceberg.
Classical pieces found in Lord of the Rings, How to Train Your Dragon, and Pride and Prejudice are examples of background soundtracks that are neurodivergent friendly. Recognizable but not overbearing. Musical themes or tracks that are catchy and have artistic professionalism and care. A Hollywoodized remake of a remake with a featured pop song could be less appealing due to the loudness and chaotic nature of some blockbusters nowadays. There is no need to censor artistic cinema choices to undo messaging, but a simple understanding that neurodivergent people may need to set themselves up for success environmentally before watching a film.
A way to combat overwhelming a neurodivergent viewer is simply thinking of the environment the film is creating and the environment the neurodivergent viewer is entering and leaving. It doesn’t hurt to ask what sounds or visuals to spend their spoons on before picking a film out.
Support and communication are crucial for neurodivergent movie nights. Maybe an action dinosaur movie may not be what a neurodivergent viewer needs since they combatted highway traffic and passed a noisy construction sight on their way home. It does not necessarily mean they do not want to spend time watching the film, but that their spoons may be below. Much like the next person, spending energy can be the difference between enjoying the cinematic piece or being completely overwhelmed.
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