7.3 Regulation and Employment in the Media Sector

Regulatory bodies: 

A regulatory body is like a professional body but it is not a membership organisation and its primary activity is to protect the public. Unlike professional bodies, it is established on the basis of legal mandate. Regulatory bodies exercise a regulatory function, that is: imposing requirements, restrictions and conditions, setting standards in relation to any activity, and securing compliance, or enforcement.

http://www.totalprofessions.com/more-about-professions/regulatory-bodies

Part A:

The BBFC:

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), previously theBritish Board of Film Censors, is a non-governmental organisation, founded by the film industry in 1912 and responsible for the national classification and censorship of films within the United Kingdom. It has a statutory requirement to classify videos, DVDs and, to a lesser extent, some video games under the Video Recordings Act 2010.  All films rated by the BBFC receive a certificate, along with "consumer advice" detailing references to sex, violence and coarse language. If a certificate specifies that a film or video game is only suitable for someone over a certain age, then only those over that age may buy it.

The BBFC rates theatrically released films, and rates videos and video games that forfeited exemption from theVideo Recordings Act 1984, which was discovered in August 2009 to be unenforceable until the act was re-enacted by the Video Recordings Act 2010. Legally, local authorities have the power to decide under what circumstances films are shown in cinemas, but they nearly always choose to follow the advice of the BBFC. The U age rating is given to films and DVDs that are likely to be suitable for anyone over the age of four years old. The Uc category no longer exists.

The Uc category was a special age rating for DVD, and signalled that content was especially suitable for pre-school children in terms of story, content and presentation.

Older DVDs may still carry a Uc symbol. There should be nothing in a Uc video or DVD to upset the youngest children, although it is always important to remember that the very young are sometimes unpredictable is the way they react to what they see on the screen, and that parents or carers should always be at hand.

All works that are particularly suitable for pre-school children are now classified U. They carry BBFCinsight which explains they are appropriate for that very young audience. The standard BBFCinsight for these DVDs reads ‘Particularly suitable for pre-school children’.

An example of a controversial film:

There were some notable exceptions, such as the PG rated The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy, which contained mild language and moderate fantasy horror, and superhero adventure, The Fantastic Four. Of those works which arrived at the BBFC with a 12A request, none was more controversial than Stephen Spielberg’s big budget adaptation of H.G.Wells’ novel, War Of The Worlds, which has prompted over 60 letters from the public to date, many newspaper column inches and a question raised in parliament.

The sci-fi adventure starred Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning as a father and daughter trying to escape from New York after aliens invade earth. It received a PG-13 from the American ratings organisation, the MPAA, (the Motion Picture Association of America), and the distributor was keen to receive the near-equivalent advisory category - 12A - in the UK.

It was viewed here by a team of examiners as well as BBFC Director, David Cooke. Though some felt it was a ‘high end’ 12A because of sustained scenes of menace, threat and moderate horror, after due consideration it was awarded a 12A - on the understanding that these issues would be mentioned in robust Consumer Advice (now known as BBFCinsight).

 Factors cited by examiners in support of the 12A included the 'clearly fantasy' nature of the plot, the reassuring ending and the lack of detail in the violent scenes. They also noted that some high profile ‘end of the world’ and disaster films have been passed out at 12 and 12A, examples including Titanic, The Perfect Storm, Armageddon, Independence Day and The Day After Tomorrow. Similarly, child characters have featured in dangerous and threatening scenarios in countless 12A level films that include Signs, The Others and the most recent Harry Potter outing, The Goblet of Fire.

Part B:

Job roles in my chosen sector:

Within the film industry, there are many different areas that come together to make a film. Some of the job roles that I have found in my chosen sector are:

• Actor
• ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement) / Dialogue Editors
• Ariel Camera Assistant
• Ariel camera pilot
• Ariel director of photography
• Camera trainee
• Casting assistant
• Catering crew
• Director
• Digital imaging technician
• Editor
• Foley editor 
• Marketing and publicity manager
• Producer assistant
• Stagehand etc.

A few of these jobs roles could overlap and interconnect. For example the job roles of Ariel camera assistant camera trainee and could overlap due to the fact that they are both jobs that help out with the camera. These two job roles are based in the same area for the film process so that this means that they overlap and interconnect within each others so if someone was working in one of these jobs could be asked to in involved with both. 

Working in the film industry you need to regularly update knowledge and skills to work n the industry because things are always changing. For example in the editorial job there could be new ways that have come about to edit the films and the clips that they have shot. You need to be able to have up to date knowledge of the new post production processes and be familiar with new editing software that may come about. to be able to work in the film industry, you need to be able to be creative in thinking. There are different courses that you could take to get started in the film industry. The London Film academy is a good place to study as it's main focus is to give you the skills and knowledge that you need to be part of the film industry.

Part C:

A job vacancy that is available in my chosen film sector for a camera operator:

This is the brief of the job that i found. It shows what you will be doing and the requirements: 

Camera Operator

One Stop Film Camp - London
Internship

As a production company which works with feature and short films, commercials, music videos and events, we are looking for additional cinematographers to join the team for our short films. Requirements:  Training will be provided but a passion for camera work is desirable such as having a hobby in photography. Familiarity with DSLRs and knowledge of framing will be a plus. . Responsibilities include:  -Operating DSLR cameras -Filming hand held -Setting up camera rigs -Being available for last minute jobs Job Type: Internship This is the application process that i had to do to apply for the job. This was just a simple application as there will be another one once they email you confirming that you can properly apply for the chosen job. Cover letter: Dear hiring manager, I am writing to you today to express my interest in this job. I think that I would be the best for this job as I can offer many skills to this position. I have been looking for a new job in this sector for a while and when coming across this one, I immediately decided to apply. I am considered a responsible employee, arriving on time, completing my work in a timely manner and paying close attention to the producer's expectations and standards for the stuff i work on. I look forward to meeting with you in person this week and discussing the details of this position. In the meantime please find my resume attached. References are available upon request. Sincerely, Aimee Bryan Showreel