Media Regulation Induction Session

To know about the theories and debates surrounding contemporary film regulation

To justify your position supported with theoretical perspectives, and a convincing concluding statement (win the debate)

To argue a given position in a debate on Film Regulation

To examine a range of theories on contemporary film regulation

To know about Film Regulation, the BBFC, Censorship and Restriction and apply to contemporary examples

What Factors do the BBFC has to consider when rating a film

Link to Deadpool 

What regulation would you advise?

A. Certificate - which
B. Censor - Cut or Ban?

Why - justify your reasons on wipeboards

New Info: Be clear on terms:

Regulation
Intervening in the production or consumption. State regulation laws ie (video recordings act). 2 ways to do this...

1) Classification
Restricting access on the grounds of age (BBFC films in cinema or home release)

2) CensorshipThe power to control what we are permitted to access (banning or cuts)

BBFC - Who are they?

Snuff Box BBFC 'by the few, for the masses' https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gytbhgHSENA

1:54 start

Factors the BBFC has to consider when rating a film:

• Imitation - Newson Report  (Jamie Bulger)
• Descrimination 
• Context &Theme - artistic merit
• Tone & impact on its audience
• Violence
• Sex & sexual references, 
• Drugs, 
• Language 

Create Meaning: 
You are the BBFC officer - what certificate?

Batman Dark Knight Rises 

Pulp fiction 

This is England 

Apply: feedback with large image of cert

Apply to demonstrate (Theoretical ways of thinking about censorship)

Task: Ways of thinking about censorship

Discuss the different viewpoints and ideas - what do you think each one means (use your resources to summarise)

Debate

"Is regulation (censorship or classification) still justified in contemporary culture?"

In your Teams Y & N, defend your given point of view with an argument

Yes

• Newson to protect vulnerable audiences young people are impressionable and may imitate or disassociate reality

• Controversial content can lead to desensitisation or a loss of moral norms, capacity for compassion

• Deregulation slippery slope by making content permissible we condone its place in society ie rape

• Film-makers have to keep pushing the boundaries of taste further to be controversial 'hype' HC2

No 

• Adorno who is protecting who from what BBFC 'by the few, for the masses'

• Uses & Gratifications audience watch for a number of reasons ie catharsis

• Stuart Hall oppositional and negotiated readings

• Is regulation and restriction even possible anymore when content is online & global

• The context or intention of the message may justify the content

Recap: Concluding Statement

"Can we still protect the vulnerable in contemporary society, and is it the responsibility of a regulator to do so?"

Contemporary Media Regulation intro from Holly Taylor

Plenary Post it
Who
What from
Why
How
Whose responsibility?