Vibe Productions: Understanding the creative media sector

LO2: Understand the legal and ethical constraints

LO3: Understand the regulation of the media sector

Understand the ethical and legal constraints with in the media sector
1.

In order to get the job you are required to understand the following within the media sector your have
chosen. During the interview you will be asked to hand over a written document containing information on
the following aspects of your area.

Video recording act

What is the video recording act?

The video recording act was founded in 1978 the idea was brought up as
Idea due to there being no legalisation as to what was recorded and filmed.
There was no warming as to what the content contained so an idea was
brought to the table to start putting ratings on tv shows and films, this
would warn the viewer as to what the content contained to prevent
children/minors from watching violence of pornography.

Copy Right law

Why is it important within your industry?

Copy right is very important in the tv and film industry as there are very
strict guidelines as to what and what cant be used. And if a tv show if
broadcasted with unauthorised copyrighted material then the show will be
taken down which will cause a serve loss in the companies profiting.
What is its purpose?
The purpose of copy right it is give the creator of their product credit for
their work and to make sure that they are getting profit/credit from their
product.

What is the Films Act?

Who does it protect?

This protects the content creator from being ripped off, without copyright
the content creators work could be stolen and sold/credited by someone
else.
What happens if it is broken?
If copyright infringement laws are broken then the content will either be
removed from its platform or the content will be taken down.
Find examples of when it has been broken and outcome
ITunes broke copyright laws in 2011 by broadcasting a film makers work
without consent from the copyright holder and the copyright holder said to
Apple that they did not want their films on the iTunes store as they only
want it to be found on their personal website, apple acted on this an took
down the films.
Why is it relevant to the film industry?
The film act is relevant to the industry as the film industry is partly funded
through other counties paying tax to film in our country.
Does it help or hinder the industry?
It helps the industry as it is putting funding towards making more films.

Importance of ethical issues

Use of language
It is important that there are age restrictions on films as strong language is
not suitable for minors. But it is also important that some language is not
used at all such as resist slang.

Equal opportunities
It is important in the film industry that equal
opportunities are represented so their branding isnt
shown as discriminating.
Encouraging diversity
It is important in tv and film hey show that they
represent a diverse range of culture to prove an
unbiased opinion. If the show/film displays one race or
one type of person it could make the show/film appear
ignorant.
What ethical issues should be considered when
producing media in your chosen industry?
When producing a film it is important to filter the language used for your
target audience, if your target audience is 18+ then it is obvious that strong
language is going to be used, if the film Is a U or a PG then the language
must be filtered a lot more as the film is aimed at minors.
Representation of gender

How are men and women represented in your chosen industry?

Men and women should both be represented equally so it represents their
branding as unbiased, equality is a very sensitive topic and favouring one
sex may cause issues for the company.
Are they seen as strong or weak etc.?
Both sexes are represented as strong in an equal way and weak in an equal
way it is giving both sexes the option to be equally anything.
Supported with examples
For example in kick ass represents both male and female characters as
being strong and powerful, this film also represents these things in a
diverse range of ages the powerful female in the story is a young girl and
the powerful male is a teenage boy. This way it is representing power in
both genders and gives hope to all ages.

Representation of religious beliefs

Religious beliefs are never really promoted in films as it avoids controversy,

its not represented as against any religion or with a religion the topic is
usually avoided to prevent upsetting anyone.

How should men and women be

represented?
Does your chosen industry represent
people fairly?

2.

Explain what the following bodies do and why they are important (choose the ones related to your
media sector only)

Do not just cut and paste their about us page please read it and put it into your own words.
Add links to their pages
Distinction grade learners will find cases

British Board of Film Classification

Film Distributors Association,

British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA),

Television, Radio and Telecommunications Office for Communication (Ofcom)

Advertising Standards Authority (ASA),

The Independent Games Developers Association (IGDA),

British Web Design and Marketing Association

British Interactive Multimedia Association (BIMA)

Press Complaints Commission (PCC),

3.

Then discuss the issues that these regulatory bodies may face with regard to

Consumer choice

Freedom of information

Censorship

Taste and decency

Deadline: Week starting 14th December 2015