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Perceptions of Disaster

The Landscape of Disaster Film: 2000-2020

D Kollek, CAEP 2022 Disaster Track Lecture


What type of disaster movie was the most made?

What type of disaster movie was the most seen?

Do these films influence perception of risk?


Do these films influence people’s response to disasters?



Background

Scholars have categorized “disaster films” into 20 year “cycles” reflective of the fears and fantasies of the time but…

* There is no definition of a disaster film

* No existing comprehensive list of disaster films exists

* Remember: films made and films watched are not the same

* Mass communication research indicates that media play significant role forming a cultural attitude about risks

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