Wednesday 3 December 2008

BBFC

1. From where does the BBFC get its funding?
-The BBFC get there funding from fees from distributors.

2. What types of texts do the BBFC classify?
The BBFC classify films/videos/DVDs and video games.

3. What are the problems / issues that the BBFC must deal with when classifying material?
BBFC must deal with issues such as: violence, rape, sexual assault, horror and Racial Issues when classifying material.

4. Note the range of classification categories and what they mean e.g. U, PG, 12A etc.
U- Videos classified 'U' are particularly suitable for pre-school children and do not raise any unsuitable issues.
'PG' Parental Guidance - General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children.
-Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. A ‘PG’ film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.
12A- Suitable for 12 years and over. No-one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. No-one younger than 12 may rent or buy a ‘12’ rated video or DVD. Responsibility for allowing under-12s to view lies with the accompanying or supervising adult.
'15' – Suitable only for 15 years and over
No-one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video or DVD.

'18' – Suitable only for adults
No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video.
In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC's public consultations, at '18' the BBFC's guideline concerns will not normally override the wish that adults should be free to chose their own entertainment, within the law.

Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:
-Where material or treatment appears to the Board to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – e.g. any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which is likely to promote the activity. The Board may also intervene with portrayals of sexual violence which might, e.g. eroticise or endorse sexual assault.
-The more explicit images of sexual activity – unless they can be exceptionally justified by context and the work is not a 'sex work'

'R18' - To be shown only in specially licensed cinemas, or supplied only in licensed sex shops, and to adults of not less than 18 years.
The ‘R18’ category is a special and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex between adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and videos may be


5.Why might a DVD featuring content of skateboarders and BMX bikers performing dangerous stunts be classified as 18 but a film containing a sex scene and use of the ‘f’ word only get a 15 rating?
A DVD featuring content of skateboarders and dangerous BMX stunts, may be portrayed s promoting dangerous sports, and that's why its only suitable for a 18+ whereas having a film which contains a 'f' word may not be deemed as such a bad thing, because it is not necessarily promoting bad language, so that's why it may be classified at an 15.

6 . Why might a film be given a rating of 15 upon release at the cinema but 10 years later be classified as a 12?
This is due to the fact that something that may be seen as unsuitable 10years ago is not necessarily years on. The times are moving on, and various different things are being shown in cinema and becoming more socailly acceptable, and not being seen as inapropriate or rude.

Thursday 13 November 2008

Cosmopolitan

-1st P.. talk about general media points.
-target audience(who the mag is aimed at) and the mag is about(the content)

Media Language- Bright colours used- The gold in the background is subtle but yet glamorous.. the audience therefore are mainly focusing on Beyonce. Shes wearing a sexy pink dress, appealing to women, as they aspire to have things like this.
- the shot is is a medium shot, showing off her whole body..
- the tag-lines are in a brighter colour, making it stand out and eye catching..which would appeal to the target of women aged 18-30. Professional women..social class of B-C1 C2.

.. Talk about the colours used (bright, sophisticated, in relation to Beyonce!)

Thursday 25 September 2008


Popular Channel 4 shows...

-10 Years Younger
-100 Greatest / 100 Worst
-Cutting Edge (Channel 4 TV series)
-Da Ali G Show

- BigBrother
- How clean is your house
- Skins
-Dispatches
- Ugly Betty
- Desperate housewives
- Friends
-Hollyoaks
-Paul o'Grady Show
-8 out of 10 cats

Wednesday 24 September 2008

History of channel 4....

Pre 1982
The 1980 Broadcast Act outlined the formation of a new public service Broadcaster. Channel Four was established as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority. Jeremy Isaacs was appointed as the Channel’s first Chief Executive. The first Channel Controller was Paul Bonner and its Chairman was Edmund Dell.


1982
Channel Four goes on air 2nd November. The original on air logo was an animated multi-coloured Four. The first programme was Countdown with Richard Whitely presenting. Early programmes included: Brookside and Comic Strip Presents. The Snowman premiered on December 26th. Right to Reply gave viewers the chance to take the broadcasters to task. Later the Video Box would allow them to do so on air in booths all over the UK.


1983
Audience share of 4.4 percent. Programmes included Friday evening music programme The Tube and No Problem! which was the first black produced comedy sitcom created for British Television. Controversy surrounded Eleventh Hour: Veronica 4 Rose which featured two schoolgirls discussing lesbianism. US comedy drama St Elsewhere was aired.


1984
Channel Four took over coverage of Horse Racing from ITV. Programme output increased by 25 percent. C4 won 2 International Emmys. Diverse Reports was aired for the first time.


1985
Woman of Substance gained a new audience high of 13.8 Million. Other significant programmes included Saturday Live, Bandung File, The Max Headroom Show and the film My Beautiful Laundrette. US series Hill Street Blues was aired.


1986
Peacock Report recommended that Channel Four should sell its own airtime. Audience share hit 10.7 percent. Channel’s turnover reached £131 Million. Programmes included Club Mix and the acclaimed drama by Anthony Minghella What If It’s Raining


1987
Richard Attenborough became the new Chairman. For the first time advertising revenue exceeded costs providing a £20m profit. Channel Four International and Film Four International were established. Significant programmes and films included Porterhouse Blue, The Last Resort, Equinox, Dispatches, Letter to Brezhnev, Hope and Glory and Baka: People of the Rainforest. US childrens’ series Sesame Street debuted.


1988
Michael Grade replaced Jeremy Isaacs as Chief Executive. Liz Forgan became Director of Programmes. Notable programmes and films included A Very British Coup, Mona Lisa. The long running US Oprah Winfrey Show went on air.


1989
Turnover £192 Million. Programmes include Traffik, The Crystal Maze, Out on Tuesday, Big World CafĂ©. American imports Thirtysomething and Roseanne began.


1990
The 1990 Broadcasting Act preserves Channel Four as publicly owned. The Channel Four Television Corporation is founded, to be established in 1993. Programmes include Drop the Dead Donkey, Cutting Edge, Hollywood Legends and a new youth programme The Word.


1991
Controversy surrounded the programme Dispatches: The Committee. Other programmes included Secret History (part of the Banned season and Alan Bleasdale’s GBH. There were special late night editions of Channel Four News scheduled to cover the Gulf War. Turnover reaches £268 Million. Audience share 9.6 percent.


1992
The Big Breakfast went on air. Significant programmes included The Camomile Lawn and Football Italia and films The Crying Game and Howard’s End. Channel Four was fined £75000 for refusing to name the source of allegations made against the RUC in The Committee. Michael Bishop was appointed the new Chairman

1993
Channel Four Corporation started to operate and sold its own airtime for the first time. Howard’s End won 5 Oscars. Programmes include Eurotrash, Tales of the City and Denis Potter’s Lipstick on Your Collar. Derek Jarman’s Blue was premiered without commercial breaks.

1994
Channel Four relocated to 124 Horseferry Road into a purpose built building designed by Richard Rogers. Time Team and Don’t Forget Your Tooth Brush were aired for the first time. A documentary highlight was Phil Agland’s acclaimed Life in China: Beyond the Clouds. Turnover was £408.4 Million. The biggest British film export Four Weddings and a Funeral was released. NYPD Blue, Fraisier and Ellen made their debut.

1995
Brookside figures reached a peak of 9 million with the story of the Jordash family. Launch of Hollyoaks, Red Light Zone, Father Ted .The Last Temptation of Christ attracted the largest number of complaints ever. Oscars were received for the Madness of King George. Friends and ER were launched.

1996

Programmes include return to the Dying Rooms, and Potter’s last screen plays Cold Lazarus and Karaoke. Films include Trainspotting and Secrets and Lies. After 14 years the Channel changed its logo. The multi coloured 4 became plain white in a changeable scheme including circles.

1997
The abolition of the funding formula payable to ITV was announced. Channel Four began broadcasting 24 hours a day. Programmes and films included Thatcher’s Children and A Dance to the Music of Time, Brassed Off, Fever Pitch and Welcome to Sarajavo. Turnover was £552.7 million. Michael Grade resigned as Chief Executive. Michael Jackson is appointed as his successor.

1998
First pay TV venture FilmFour Limited is launched. Channel Fouracquires rights to Test Match Cricket. Programmes included So Graham Norton, Nigel Slater’s Real Food, Trigger Happy TV. The MOBO Awards were networked for the first time. Ally McBeal began.

1999
Turnover was £600 million. Notable programmes were Queer as Folk, Spaced, Smack the Pony, Ali G, Tina Goes Shopping, Grand Designs, Psychos, Cricket Roadshow, The 1900 House. First British screening of Sex In The City.


2000
The first season of Big Brother was transmitted - the first interactive, cross media concept with mass appeal. 4 Ventures was established. Some notable programmes were Longitude, North Square, Richard Starkie’s series Elizabeth and Meet Ricky Gervais.

2001
The impending General Election was marked by a season of programmes arguing Politics Isn’t Working. Film Four Limited released Sexy Beast. E4 was launched in January. Richard and Judy leave ITV for Channel 4. Michael Jackson announced his departure to work for USA networks and left in November. Other programmes were Phoenix Nights, Teachers, Celebrity Big Brother, Hell in the Pacific. A month long daily report was made from the Kumbh Mela .

2002
Mark Thompson took up his job as Chief Executive in March. Brookside was moved to a single Saturday omnibus show. The Channel announced a loss of £28m and 200 jobs were cut. Film Four Limited was wound up. Notable programmes included Shackleton, White Teeth, The Art Show, The Osbournes, The Book Group. The first live autopsy since 1830 is transmitted on Channel Four.

2003
Tim Gardam resigned as Director of Programmes to be replaced by Kevin Lygo. Vianni Treves stepped down as chairman. Programmes included The Deal, Operatunity, The Salon, How Clean is Your House?

2004
New Chairman Luke Johnson appointed. Paul Abbot’s Shameless transmitted. Channel Four appoints fifth new Chief Executive - Andy Duncan. Channel Four awarded a news coverage Emmy for the report on the Madrid bombing. Channel Four withdrawals from merger talks with Five. New Channel Four identity seen on the screen for the first time.

2005
FILMFOUR productions nominated in 9 BAFTA categories. 4Ventures reintegrated back into the core Channel. The MOTOCYCLE DIARIES collected two awards for Best Foreign Language Film
and Film Music at the BAFTA awards and Best Song Award at the OSCAR awards. Best Live Action Short Film award for WASP directed by Andrea
Arnold for FilmFour. IDEAS FACTORY - C4's on-line new talent initiative to help young creatives get into the industry has been
awarded a BAFTA. RTS Programme Awards – Channel Four picks up 9 awards

Channel 4

[About channel4...]

Channel 4 was launched on 2nd November 1982, with a remit to broadcast distinctive programmes. Under the Communications Act 2003, Channel 4 has a duty to provide high quality innovative programming that is experimental, creative and appeals to the tastes and interests of a culturally diverse society. Channel 4 has always supported, and will continue to support the independent sector (the majority of Channel 4's programming being commissioned from independent production companies) with a strong commitment to regional production, original programming and schools/educational output. Channel 4 is funded by commercial activity, principally through the sale of advertising airtime.
Business career...

- 1995: Sets up Rawkus Records
-1996: joins News Corporation
-1999 One.Tel joint venture with brother Lachlan and James Packer
-2000: Appointed chairman and chief executive of Star TV
-2001: One.Tel collapses with huge debtsMade executive vice-president of News Corporation

what he owns...

James Murdoch is...

- the Chairman and Chief Executive of News Corporation, Europe and Asia, including the British newspapers, The Times, The Sunday Times, The Sun and The News of The World, and the chief non-executive chairman of British Sky Broadcasting.

Early life...

-As a teenager James was regarded as the brightest of the Murdoch children, but was also considered something of a rebel. He first came to public notice as a 15-year-old intern at the Sydney Daily Mirror, but made headlines in the rival Sydney Morning Herald after he was photographed asleep on a sofa at a press conference.

-James Murdoch attended Horace Mann School in New York City[ and graduated in 1991. -- -He then studied film and history at Harvard University, but dropped out in 1995 without completing his studies.

-At Harvard, James edited underground magazines and drew a comic strip for the college's famed satirical magazine, Harvard Lampoon. He dropped out of college in 1995 and with college, he backed the establishment of Rawkus Records, an independent hip hop record label. The company was bought by News Corporation in 1998.
Business career

Wednesday 17 September 2008


About James Murdoch...

Job: chief executive, BSkyB

Age: 34

Industry: broadcasting

Annual revenue: £4.15bn

Staff: 11,216

Salary: £2.75m (including £1.65m bonus and £268,606 benefits)