Introduction

Part 1: Finding Civic Leaders in Your Story

Part 2: Choosing Old or New Storylines

• Old/New Characters

• Old/New Motivations

• Old/New Results

Part 3: Helping Your Leaders Succeed

Part 4: Engaging Your Audiences

Part 2: Choosing Old or New Storylines

Media research has shown how popular entertainment often conforms to conscious or unconscious beliefs that are perpetuated by the types of characters featured in shows, how those characters behave and what the results or consequences of their actions turn out to be. 

Some old stories and myths about civic leaders show up over and over.

These old stories can be harmful to our communities when audiences start to believe they are the only reality that exists and act on those beliefs (or decide not to act at all).

“Viewers can ‘learn’ anti-democratic messages” from fictional media.”
-The Implications of Fictional Media for Political Beliefs (2012)

On the other hand, different portrayals of civic leadership can also help educate audiences about effective civic engagement and inspire some viewers to support or even become civic leaders who break barriers and challenge unjust systems.

There are many examples of how shows can challenge old stereotypes and inspire audiences through new storylines. In the past, research pointed out the damaging affects of some TV and film portrayals about mental illness, suicide and addiction. Often these stories focused on the worst cases, which perpetuated stereotypes and discouraged people from seeking help. Sometimes viewers directly imitated what they saw on screen, with tragic results.

Over the years, health organizations engaged with creators and talent to increase awareness that mental illness and addiction are diseases for which treatment is available and recovery is possible.  Films and shows began to portray more characters who were getting effective treatment and in recovery. These new storylines showed characters living full lives and not being defined by these diseases.