Public relations activities in the Hollywood cinema: A review on sample movies

Cinema is a well-loved entertainment tool and the whole art practices in this field. Beyond entertainment today movies commit additional functions, e.g. training the people. Cinema has an influential language and this language can be used for message transfer. On the one hand because movies become influential communication tools transferring planned messages to the audiences; on the other hand while establishing relationships with the audiences, different public relations theories can be utilized. In this way, a communication and relationship bridge is built with the audiences via movies. In this regard some communication theories and public relations theories gain importance, too. In the movies their applications can be seen either explicitly or hiddenly. In the thesis study, the movie 'Wag the Dog' –produced in Hollywood– is examined by its engagement with 'Agenda Setting Theory' which is one of the theories of public relations. In the movie, in general, it's watched that by manipulation of news the attentions of public can be attracted or rather be turned towards a determined (wanted) direction; in this way this film is associated with the 'Agenda Setting Theory". Keywords: Cinema, Movies, Message transfer, The film 'Wag the Dog', Public Reations-Cinema Relationship.