Thursday, 2 April 2015
Thursday, 26 March 2015
Video Nasties: Essay
Draft 1:
"Censorship is motivated by fears surrounding new technologies."
Discuss this statement referring to Video Nasties and the impact of technological, social, political contents of the early to mid 80s.
New technologies is not the reason surrounding the fears and motivation of censorship. Video nasties were banned or cut for their content not for the new technology that developed within the time period.
The government didn't agree with the content that video nasties showed and used this as a justification for everything that happens. Mary Whitehouse reinforced what the conservative government had to say and their views on video nasties as a whole; she also believed that video nasties influenced others and teenagers. Mary Whitehouse was part of a pressure group - National Viewers and Listeners Association (NVLA) which followed christian views and raised campaigns against video nasties. Although, Mary Whitehouse never watched a video nasty she continued to prejudge them and give her views. The NVLA and the government views were seen to be discussed with police which abused their power and also encouraged the media to create a moral panic and decline.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Draft 2:
"Censorship is motivated by fears surrounding new technologies."
Discuss this statement referring to Video Nasties and the impact of technological, social, political contents of the early to mid 80s.
In the 1980s film censorship was put in place to protect audiences and the power of illegal distribution and technology of unregulated films such as video nasties and low budgeted horror films. However, film technologies and the illegal distribution of films was not the full reason as to why film censorship was put into action. A huge influence on film censorship was down to Margaret Thatcher and Mary Whitehouse both members of a pressure group - National Viewers and Listeners Association (NVLA) who had strong views and were fully against video nasties and believed they had the influence of others mostly teenagers. Also, the rise of home video (VHS), the piracy surrounding illegal distribution of films and also cinemas loosing money and witnessing a decline in cinema attendance - all of these factors all influenced the introduction of film censorship.
During the 1980s we saw the rise of home video (VHS); VHS became a craze and fashionable due to it being new and everyone wanting to follow the trend. This was great for the majority of people as it allowed people to watch videos in the comfort of their own home, at a cheaper cost and it also gives them the ability to watch unlimited amounts of unregulated/censored films that cinemas didn't have the budget or license to show. However, although this was great for many people including mostly teenagers this was not a success for cinemas, the rise of home videos, VHS and video nasties lead to cinemas loosing money and cinema attendance becoming the lowest it has ever been. Film censorship was unable to rule out these unregulated films meaning they were left out there for many to watch and enjoy despite what it may be doing to cinemas.
The early 1980s resulted in many video nasties being made therefore this lead to them being banned by the BBFC. The majority of video nasties were horrors which contained a lot graphic content; initially the majority of these video nasty films were banned from cinemas to restrict people from watching this type of content, however this them opened up the door to people having access to watch these video nasties at home on VHS - regardless to whatever age the audience was despite whether they should be watching it or not, to some nobody could stop them due to it being in their own home. Video nasties caused a moral panic to occur which was lead by a conservative party - NVLA which at the time was lead by Margaret Thatcher and Mary Whitehouse. The NVLA conservative party used video nasties as a scapegoat for all problems going on within britain at the time and believed that video nasties were a threat and that they were the cause and influence for many, mostly teenagers.
The BBFC enforced the 1984 Video Recordings Act, this therefore banned many video nasties. Although, video nasties were already mostly banned within cinemas it never stopped people from getting hold of copies through illegal distribution and watching them at home. The Video Recordings Act meant that all films including video nasties had to be sent through the BBFC for classification and its them who have the authority to ban any video that does not fit into their criteria. At the time in which the Video Recordings Act got introduced in 1984 it was new to the BBFC and they were more lenient with films and took a lot of influence from the NVLA conservative party who used video nasties as a scapegoat to give a reason for everything wrong and bad within Britain.
Film censorship is motivated by fears surrounding new technology to some extent as technology was a huge factor of video nasties due to it being the only way of viewing these films for a while. A fear was built up about it as the conservative party strongly believed that these videos would react to the audience in copying what they see and using these video nasties as a reason for the violence and things that go wrong in Britain. Video Nasties was a way of giving what has happened a reason whether this was the right reason or not this still got reinforced.
"Censorship is motivated by fears surrounding new technologies."
Discuss this statement referring to Video Nasties and the impact of technological, social, political contents of the early to mid 80s.
New technologies is not the reason surrounding the fears and motivation of censorship. Video nasties were banned or cut for their content not for the new technology that developed within the time period.
The government didn't agree with the content that video nasties showed and used this as a justification for everything that happens. Mary Whitehouse reinforced what the conservative government had to say and their views on video nasties as a whole; she also believed that video nasties influenced others and teenagers. Mary Whitehouse was part of a pressure group - National Viewers and Listeners Association (NVLA) which followed christian views and raised campaigns against video nasties. Although, Mary Whitehouse never watched a video nasty she continued to prejudge them and give her views. The NVLA and the government views were seen to be discussed with police which abused their power and also encouraged the media to create a moral panic and decline.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Draft 2:
"Censorship is motivated by fears surrounding new technologies."
Discuss this statement referring to Video Nasties and the impact of technological, social, political contents of the early to mid 80s.
In the 1980s film censorship was put in place to protect audiences and the power of illegal distribution and technology of unregulated films such as video nasties and low budgeted horror films. However, film technologies and the illegal distribution of films was not the full reason as to why film censorship was put into action. A huge influence on film censorship was down to Margaret Thatcher and Mary Whitehouse both members of a pressure group - National Viewers and Listeners Association (NVLA) who had strong views and were fully against video nasties and believed they had the influence of others mostly teenagers. Also, the rise of home video (VHS), the piracy surrounding illegal distribution of films and also cinemas loosing money and witnessing a decline in cinema attendance - all of these factors all influenced the introduction of film censorship.
During the 1980s we saw the rise of home video (VHS); VHS became a craze and fashionable due to it being new and everyone wanting to follow the trend. This was great for the majority of people as it allowed people to watch videos in the comfort of their own home, at a cheaper cost and it also gives them the ability to watch unlimited amounts of unregulated/censored films that cinemas didn't have the budget or license to show. However, although this was great for many people including mostly teenagers this was not a success for cinemas, the rise of home videos, VHS and video nasties lead to cinemas loosing money and cinema attendance becoming the lowest it has ever been. Film censorship was unable to rule out these unregulated films meaning they were left out there for many to watch and enjoy despite what it may be doing to cinemas.
The early 1980s resulted in many video nasties being made therefore this lead to them being banned by the BBFC. The majority of video nasties were horrors which contained a lot graphic content; initially the majority of these video nasty films were banned from cinemas to restrict people from watching this type of content, however this them opened up the door to people having access to watch these video nasties at home on VHS - regardless to whatever age the audience was despite whether they should be watching it or not, to some nobody could stop them due to it being in their own home. Video nasties caused a moral panic to occur which was lead by a conservative party - NVLA which at the time was lead by Margaret Thatcher and Mary Whitehouse. The NVLA conservative party used video nasties as a scapegoat for all problems going on within britain at the time and believed that video nasties were a threat and that they were the cause and influence for many, mostly teenagers.
The BBFC enforced the 1984 Video Recordings Act, this therefore banned many video nasties. Although, video nasties were already mostly banned within cinemas it never stopped people from getting hold of copies through illegal distribution and watching them at home. The Video Recordings Act meant that all films including video nasties had to be sent through the BBFC for classification and its them who have the authority to ban any video that does not fit into their criteria. At the time in which the Video Recordings Act got introduced in 1984 it was new to the BBFC and they were more lenient with films and took a lot of influence from the NVLA conservative party who used video nasties as a scapegoat to give a reason for everything wrong and bad within Britain.
Film censorship is motivated by fears surrounding new technology to some extent as technology was a huge factor of video nasties due to it being the only way of viewing these films for a while. A fear was built up about it as the conservative party strongly believed that these videos would react to the audience in copying what they see and using these video nasties as a reason for the violence and things that go wrong in Britain. Video Nasties was a way of giving what has happened a reason whether this was the right reason or not this still got reinforced.
Friday, 27 February 2015
Video Nasties Notes:
Home Video (VHS) made video nasties possible (technological)
Case Studies:
- Last house on the left: Director Wes Craven, 1978-1978, Realism/Documentary
- Evil Dead: Director Sam Raimi, 1982, Gory/Animation
- The Texas chainsaw massacre: Director: Tobe Hooper, 1978, Realism/Documentary
Wes Craven: became a mainstream director from banned films - video nasties became the template to horror films
Sam Ramai: made one of the most mainstream flops - became mainstream from banned videos
Common aspects they had:
- teenage driven
- very low budget
- horror films
- chainsaws
- gore
- imitable
- demonic/agriculture related stuff going on
- nudity, sex and rape
What was so different about the evil dead and the year?
Video regulation act was introduced in 1984 just after the walking dead got released meaning new rules have to be in place to stop films like evil dead happening again.
What years are we looking at?
1980s (recession, riots, continual raids)
What makes the walking dead significant to video nasties?
- It was released just before the video regulations act got reinforced in 1984 - you see everything
- Used video nasties being banned as a selling point
- Deliberately making it a video nasty
What role did Mary Whitehouse (NV&LA) have in this period?
- She reinforced what the conservative views
- Part of a pressure group (national views and listeners association - NV&LA)
- She didn't like the content of video nasties - they influenced others
- Christian values
Why did the conservative government get involved - scapegoating?
- They didn't agree with the content of films
- Blamed the video nasties for things happening eg raids and violence
- Made the whole thing worse (criminal)
What was the role of the BBFC at this time?
- BBFC were not very strict with video nasties until they were a conservative influence within the group who linked video nasties to problems within British society.
- 80 films got banned
- Certificates were introduced and put in place
- Cannot restrict films on a criminal level (video nasties = criminal/illegal)
What is the VRA (1984)?
Video Recordings Act: This meant that all films which may be considered a video nasty must have been sent to the BBFC for evaluation
Social context:
- government and pressure groups protecting society
- Mary had this in mind
Economic context:
- power cuts, unemployment, recession --> industry being closed --> privatisation (privatised) --> protests --> riots
Political context:
- government and media (rich white people)
- scapegoat - Margret Thatcher
Technological context:
- home videos (VHS)
- allowed people to access unregulated, uncensored content --> opinion, decide themselves --> moral/entertainment
1. What is the significance of home video & the format wars for audiences?
Case Studies:
- Last house on the left: Director Wes Craven, 1978-1978, Realism/Documentary
- Evil Dead: Director Sam Raimi, 1982, Gory/Animation
- The Texas chainsaw massacre: Director: Tobe Hooper, 1978, Realism/Documentary
Wes Craven: became a mainstream director from banned films - video nasties became the template to horror films
Sam Ramai: made one of the most mainstream flops - became mainstream from banned videos
Common aspects they had:
- teenage driven
- very low budget
- horror films
- chainsaws
- gore
- imitable
- demonic/agriculture related stuff going on
- nudity, sex and rape
What was so different about the evil dead and the year?
Video regulation act was introduced in 1984 just after the walking dead got released meaning new rules have to be in place to stop films like evil dead happening again.
What years are we looking at?
1980s (recession, riots, continual raids)
What makes the walking dead significant to video nasties?
- It was released just before the video regulations act got reinforced in 1984 - you see everything
- Used video nasties being banned as a selling point
- Deliberately making it a video nasty
What role did Mary Whitehouse (NV&LA) have in this period?
- She reinforced what the conservative views
- Part of a pressure group (national views and listeners association - NV&LA)
- She didn't like the content of video nasties - they influenced others
- Christian values
Why did the conservative government get involved - scapegoating?
- They didn't agree with the content of films
- Blamed the video nasties for things happening eg raids and violence
- Made the whole thing worse (criminal)
What was the role of the BBFC at this time?
- BBFC were not very strict with video nasties until they were a conservative influence within the group who linked video nasties to problems within British society.
- 80 films got banned
- Certificates were introduced and put in place
- Cannot restrict films on a criminal level (video nasties = criminal/illegal)
What is the VRA (1984)?
Video Recordings Act: This meant that all films which may be considered a video nasty must have been sent to the BBFC for evaluation
Social context:
- government and pressure groups protecting society
- Mary had this in mind
Economic context:
- power cuts, unemployment, recession --> industry being closed --> privatisation (privatised) --> protests --> riots
Political context:
- government and media (rich white people)
- scapegoat - Margret Thatcher
Technological context:
- home videos (VHS)
- allowed people to access unregulated, uncensored content --> opinion, decide themselves --> moral/entertainment
1. What is the significance of home video & the format wars for audiences?
- home videos hard to censor
2. What were the concerns around home video & censorship?
- kids between 12-16 watching it at home
3. What is a video nasty & why were they popular?
- nasty videos - can't be shown in cinemas
- a film on video that contains scenes that are considered to be gratuitously and offensively violent or pornographic
- they were popular because they were new and could watch them at home
- it was a trend
- used as a political weapon
4. What did these films have in common?
- horrors
- low budgets
- teens
5. Who are Margaret thatcher & Mary whitehouse & why were they relevant?
- Margaret thatcher was prime minister of the Conservative party
- Mary whitehouse (nvla) part of a pressure group - scapegoat
6. How did video nasties become political and how was this moral panic being exploited by the government?
- by scapegoating
Video nasties:
- 72 videos banned
- used as a political weapon
- videos that were violent & pornographic
- banned based on word of mouth, front covers and reputation
- horror films
- immutable behaviour
- realistic style - low budget
- popular with teenage boys
Moral panic:
- something emphasised by the media
- news papers - conservative (daily mail)
- capitalised by the government
Friday, 6 February 2015
What factors led to the decline of town or city centre cinemas in late 1970s and early 1980s?
There are three main reasons that have contributed to the decline in cinema attendance in the late 1970s to early 1980s, that has lead to the rise in multiplex cinemas and the downfall of fleapits. These three factors consist of social, technological and economic. Cinema attendance within this time period was at a decline due to the introduction of VHS (home videos), piracy and the recession. VHS (home videos) enabled people to buy films and watch in the comfort of their own home as many times as they wish. The reason as to why this was such a big success was because it was a lot cheaper to watch at home - at the time they were in a recession which meant no disposable income for families, it was able to be watched multiple times in the comfort of their home, and it was also new so it created a hype in which people wanted to follow. Piracy also enabled people to watch films from home, however this meant a decline in profit to cinema and production companies because people were streaming current cinema movies online at home for free.
The rise of the multiplex cinemas caused fleatpit cinema's to be closed down due to multiplex cinemas appealing to a wider audience and showing blockbusters which fleapits didn't have the license to show. Multiplex cinemas are cinemas that are built up of multiple cinema screens which allows a variety of films to be aired at once. Multiplex cinemas are often located in shopping centres this is because it is placed in a location where going to the cinema can become a day thing. The main target audience for multiplex cinemas is teenagers this is because they have a disposable income and teenagers mostly go out shopping with their friends and having a cinema in the same location will attract them and draw them in.
Audiences were also encouraged into going to multiplex cinemas due to the VFX (special effects), sound effects and visual effects ect that were incorporated into blockbuster films. VFX were new and attracted a wider range of people to the multiplexes. It became popular to watch these films in the cinema due to the experience gained, rather than watching it at home. This is another reason as to why multiplex cinemas became a success leaving fleapits to fall.
Overall, cinema attendance declined between 1970s - 1980s due to the introduction of home videos, VHS and piracy. Watching films at home became a craze, it was new and everyone wanted to try it. It became a success due to it being a lot cheaper to watch due to the recession and it gave the ability to watch films in the comfort of your own home. E.T (1982) was the most pirated film in the UK due to all of the reasons and benefits in which the ability to watch films at home gave. Although, cinema attendance dropped it soon began to rise again in the later 1980s due to the rise of the multiplexes.
The rise of the multiplex cinemas caused fleatpit cinema's to be closed down due to multiplex cinemas appealing to a wider audience and showing blockbusters which fleapits didn't have the license to show. Multiplex cinemas are cinemas that are built up of multiple cinema screens which allows a variety of films to be aired at once. Multiplex cinemas are often located in shopping centres this is because it is placed in a location where going to the cinema can become a day thing. The main target audience for multiplex cinemas is teenagers this is because they have a disposable income and teenagers mostly go out shopping with their friends and having a cinema in the same location will attract them and draw them in.
Audiences were also encouraged into going to multiplex cinemas due to the VFX (special effects), sound effects and visual effects ect that were incorporated into blockbuster films. VFX were new and attracted a wider range of people to the multiplexes. It became popular to watch these films in the cinema due to the experience gained, rather than watching it at home. This is another reason as to why multiplex cinemas became a success leaving fleapits to fall.
Overall, cinema attendance declined between 1970s - 1980s due to the introduction of home videos, VHS and piracy. Watching films at home became a craze, it was new and everyone wanted to try it. It became a success due to it being a lot cheaper to watch due to the recession and it gave the ability to watch films in the comfort of your own home. E.T (1982) was the most pirated film in the UK due to all of the reasons and benefits in which the ability to watch films at home gave. Although, cinema attendance dropped it soon began to rise again in the later 1980s due to the rise of the multiplexes.
Thursday, 5 February 2015
Video Nasties Notes:
- Films not shown in the cinemas
- Explicit - graphic
- Lower production values (money)
- Niche Audience
- for example horror film
- Serious subjects (people don't like talking about) e.g. rape, torture ect
- You don't want people seeing/watching
- Home audiences (vhs) enables people to watch anything they want even the things that the government don't want you to see/watch
- Paranoia of people copying what they see
Sunday, 25 January 2015
The rise of the multiplex notes:
- 1st multiplex cinema - 1985 Milton Keynes
- 1st multiplex cinema included 10 screens and attracted more that 1 million admissions within the 1st year
- Multiplexes where aimed more towards teenagers - disposable income
- Multiplexes are mainly built by American companies and mostly show Hollywood movies
- The rise of the multiplexes put smaller, independent (fleapits) out of business
- Multiplexes are placed in more social areas such as shopping centers to attract more of an audience - teenagers -
- 1980s films began to use special effects and visual effects that fleapits could not afford to put in place therefore people began to go elsewhere
- Distribution: marketing & merchandising: the more money spent the more it becomes an event - introducing event movies (star wars 1977) - 20 billion dollars worth of star wars merchandise has been sold
- UK cinema admissions started declining in 1940s at 1.6 billion, dropping to just 55 million in 1980s due to people starting to rent films or watch them on the TV in the comfort of their own home
- Jaws and Star Wars changed the type of films Hollywood made
- The development in projection and sound = success of the multiplex
- Film studios built multiplexes to show their OWN films
- Multiplexes offered a better experience
- Multiplexes increased cinema attendance in the 1980s
Sunday, 18 January 2015
12th January Blockbuster Notes:
Blockbusters:
- Context = Reasons
- Blockbusters don't stimulate the mind - they are for entertainment purposes only
- They're money driven
- if you spend enough money it will become an event
- Blockbuster audiences have changed between 1970-2015
- Special effect films
- Online Piracy
- High effect films; try to prevent piracy online - gives the audience a better experience by watching it in the cinemas
Blockbuster Timeline:
New Hollywood: is a term used to describe the emergence of a new generation of film school trained directors.
There is an overlap/friction between new Hollywood and blockbusters.
Problems with the Blockbuster formula:
- Blockbuster are becoming more like a game
- They're set action pieces
- They sacrifice the narrative within the film
Sunday, 11 January 2015
Task 1: Blockbusters
1. What was so significant about Jaws?
Taken 3
- It was the first film to ever be released nationwide all at once; instead of different places and cinemas releasing the movie at different dates/times.
- It is the highest earning movie in history up until Star Wars got released.
- First blockbuster made and published.
- First movie to ever go past the 100 dollar box office.
- One of the most successful and groundbreaking films of all time.
- The film completely changed the way in which people view sharks - they are terrified.
2. Characteristics of a blockbuster:
- Must have a global appeal.
- The main issue of the story is accessible to all to recognise and understand.
- Has a resemblance of either weather, global warming or a love story.
- Contains good vs evil.
- Has to be culture neutral.
- Offends nobody.
- Doesn't explore any form of cultural knowledge
- Contains some sort of love interest.
- Contains simple characterisation.
- Easy to understand and straightforward storyline.
- Uses stereotypes in the typical way - sticks to what they know works.
- Simple characteristics with simple motives.
- A List star (well known actors).
- Well known director.
- Big advertisement, promotions and merchandise ect.
3. Newly released blockbuster movie showing at the cinema?
Taken 3
- What was Taken 3's budget? $48 million
- How much did they make at the box office opening weekend? $44,400,000
- How many showings are there of Taken 3 in the cinema? Showcase Bluewater: total of 15 Showings a day Cineworld Bexleyheath: total of 5 showings a day Vue Westfield: total of 12 showings a day
- What types of other films are showing at the cinemas? Blockbuster and Independent films - there is a variety
- Is it a multiplex or a fleapit? Multiplex movie
Tuesday, 6 January 2015
January 5th 2015 Blockbuster Introduction:
1. What is a flop?
A film that is viewed as highly unsuccessful or unprofitable during its theatrical run, the film has to earn less than double the production budget ($150-200 million) in order for it to flop.
2. How much does a film need to earn to be successful?
Twice the production budget of $150-200 million.
3. What are some factors that effect this (audience behaviors, technology?)
- If people are watching it in the cinemas they make more of the same film
- Online watching (illegal piracy) instead of going to the cinemas
4. How does this affect the reasons and the decisions behind which films are made or shown?
- Whether or not there can be more films made (sequels)
- You have to spend more money to make more money e.g. A list celebrities
5. What is a franchise movie?
- A series - multiple films e.g. Star Wars
6. What is a multiplex?
- Chains of cinemas (Showcase, Cineworld, Vue, Odeon, Empire)
- Multiple screens
- Multiple viewings of the same film
7. What is a fleapit?
- Independent cinemas
- Not part of the chain
- Based in the middle of nowhere (not easily accessible)
- 1 or 2 screens in the cinema
- Greater variety of films
8. What is the Film Flop Formula?
- An idea/formula put in place by Mark Kamode (BBC Film Critic) to ensure films don't flop
They have to include:
- An A list star
- Have a big budget
- Spend a lot of money on special/visual effects
- Not a comedy film
- You have to spend money to make money
9. What is an event movie?
- Big event
- Encourages a big audience to come and view it
- Part of a group
- A shared experience
10. Formulaic Special Effects?
- Formulaic special effects is a huge factor of films
- People are made to like them
- Special effects (CGI) prevents piracy - makes people want to go to the cinema
- Creates an experience
11. Blockbusters?
- Social values
- Audiences are going to watch blockbusters
- Blockbusters include special effects
- People are told to watch it
- There is limited choices
- Cinemas only play blockbusters
- Blockbusters have huge advertisement
* Marketing is a huge factor of films
* Merchandising: Lots of money made out of the company
* CGI prevents piracy
A film that is viewed as highly unsuccessful or unprofitable during its theatrical run, the film has to earn less than double the production budget ($150-200 million) in order for it to flop.
2. How much does a film need to earn to be successful?
Twice the production budget of $150-200 million.
3. What are some factors that effect this (audience behaviors, technology?)
- If people are watching it in the cinemas they make more of the same film
- Online watching (illegal piracy) instead of going to the cinemas
4. How does this affect the reasons and the decisions behind which films are made or shown?
- Whether or not there can be more films made (sequels)
- You have to spend more money to make more money e.g. A list celebrities
5. What is a franchise movie?
- A series - multiple films e.g. Star Wars
6. What is a multiplex?
- Chains of cinemas (Showcase, Cineworld, Vue, Odeon, Empire)
- Multiple screens
- Multiple viewings of the same film
7. What is a fleapit?
- Independent cinemas
- Not part of the chain
- Based in the middle of nowhere (not easily accessible)
- 1 or 2 screens in the cinema
- Greater variety of films
8. What is the Film Flop Formula?
- An idea/formula put in place by Mark Kamode (BBC Film Critic) to ensure films don't flop
They have to include:
- An A list star
- Have a big budget
- Spend a lot of money on special/visual effects
- Not a comedy film
- You have to spend money to make money
9. What is an event movie?
- Big event
- Encourages a big audience to come and view it
- Part of a group
- A shared experience
10. Formulaic Special Effects?
- Formulaic special effects is a huge factor of films
- People are made to like them
- Special effects (CGI) prevents piracy - makes people want to go to the cinema
- Creates an experience
11. Blockbusters?
- Social values
- Audiences are going to watch blockbusters
- Blockbusters include special effects
- People are told to watch it
- There is limited choices
- Cinemas only play blockbusters
- Blockbusters have huge advertisement
* Marketing is a huge factor of films
* Merchandising: Lots of money made out of the company
* CGI prevents piracy
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