1. DISNEY: LEGAL & ETHICAL, REGULATORY BODIES
FORM COMPLETED BY: Jamie Hamer
THEORY/EFFECT EXPLAIN WHAT THIS IS CAN THIS BE AN EFFECT
THAT THE FORCE AWAKENS
HAS ON AN AUDIENCE?
HOW?
HYPODERMIC NEEDLE THEORY The hypodermic needle theory
implies that the mass media had a
direct, immediate and powerful
effect on its audiences. The mass
media in the 1940s and 1950s
were perceived as a powerful
influence in behaviour change.
The force awakens has used
this to influence their
audience in certain parts
throughout the film. An
example of this would be
when they shown Han solo
and Princess leia in the film
to make the audience feel
an element of nostalgia and
happiness.
TWO STEP FLOW The two-step flow of
communication model
hypothesizes that ideas flow from
mass media to opinion leaders,
and from them to a wider
population. It was first introduced
by sociologist Paul Lazarsfeld.
This theory isn’t very
predominant in the force
awakens. On the other
hand, though StarWars
have presented a big image
by giving one of the main
roles to a female which
could be quite controversial
compared to the everyday
film as the males are
normally the main
characters.
USES AND GRATIFICATIONS Uses and gratifications are the
reasons that the audience watch
TV and film, this was discovered
by blumer and Katz (1974). They
found the 4 main reasons why the
film and TV industry attracts
audiences. They are diversion,
personal relationships, personal
identity and surveillance.
The audience will feel
diversion when watching
the force awakens as they
are escaping from everyday
life and can relax. Personal
identity will allow them to
be able to relate to the
characters. In addition to
this personal relationships
will allow them to gain
emotional responses from
the film
DESENSITISATION This theory states that the more
you are exposed to things such as
the amount of violence, death
and sex will decrease the shock of
seeing it in everyday life.
Throughout the film there
are various fight scenes and
this will allow the audience
to become familiar with
violence if they were to
experience it in real life and
know how to deal with it in
the appropriate way. Also, it
will allow the audience to
2. get used to strange weapons
which the characters use
such as lightsabers so that
when they continue to see
them in the film they are
used to them.
WHAT ARE THE POSITIVE EFFECTS OF THE FORCE AWAKENS ON AN AUDIENCE?
The positive effects of the force awakens on the audience is that it allows the audience to be able to
escape from everyday life and relax and enjoy watching the film. In addition to this it also allows
them to be able to put themselves in the shoes of the characters and feel a sense of personal
identity, this makes the audience feel like they’re part of the film and also have to escape from the
empire as well.
WHAT ARE THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF THE FORCE AWAKENS ON AN AUDIENCE?
The negative effects of the force awakens is that there is a large amount of violence in the film and
there is a scene where someone dies, this may cause some distress for some viewers as they may feel
the pain of when someone they loved passed away. This may cause the audience to think again about
purchasing Disney or Star Wars films and damage the reputation and image of the trilogy and the
global film making company.
ISSUES OF REPRESENTATION
WHO/WHAT IS BEING
REPRESENTED
WHY HAS THE INSTITUTION
REPRESENTED THEM IN THAT
WAY
WOULD THIS BE CONSIDERED A
POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE
REPRESENTATION- EXPLAIN
Race One of the main characters
Finn, is of a different race and
this is allowing Disney to allow
them to portray equality and
show how anyone can be a part
of the film, even though the
characters’ race doesn’t fit in
with previous films.
This would most definitely be a
positive for Disney as it allows
the audience to see how
everybody has the right to be
involved in Disney’s films and is
equal. Also, it lets them show
how somebody’s skin colour
shouldn’t be a problem.
Gender Disney has broken the gender
stereotypes of the main
characters in this filmby making
a female character the main
character. Rey, is a strong
Once again this would be a huge
positive for Disney as it would
allow them to be able to show
that woman are to be just as
powerful and as strong as men
3. independent female who shows
how she can be just as strong as
the male characters.
are. This attracts the female
audience to the Star Wars
trilogy as they become more
intrigued by the film now the
main character is a female.
Age There is a variety of different
ages in the film which are
attracting different age
audiences. The older generation
are attracted to the more
original characters such as Han
solo, Luke Skywalker and
Princess Leia. Whereas in
contrast the younger
generation find characters such
as Finn and Rey as more
appealing.
This is a positive representation
as it allows the different age
groups to be able to relate to
different characters and put
themselves in their shoes, the
use of personal identity. By
having different age characters,
it also just widens the target
audience of the film allowing
more interest.
Sexuality In the film, Disney hasn’t
included any themes of
sexuality as none of the
characters are of the Lesbian,
gay, bisexual or transgender
categories.
The genre of this film means
that there isn’t many sexual
themes throughout the film.
However, this could potentially
have a negative representation
on the filmas anybody from
these categories may feel like
they are being separated from
the film and may take offence
to this.
Does the film provide typical mainstream representations or does it offer something that challenges
society?
One of the main typical mainstream representations in the film is the theme of the supernatural, the
niche in Star Wars that the fans recognise is society is the lightsabers and the famous characters
which have been involved in Star Wars films such as Darth vader and Stormtroopers. The
representation of race has been challenged in this film as Finn, one of the main characters doesn’t fit
in with the stereotypical race of previous Star Wars films. While some fans feel, it has shown equality
others believe it didn’t need to be changed just to please some fans. Another representation which
has been challenged is One of the main characters being a female which has caused conflict between
some Star Wars fans as they feel the main characters should be males as they’re more suited to the
roles
What are the current debates in society regarding representation that could be related to the film?
One of the debates in society that relates to the film is the fact that the theme of sexuality hasn’t
been included in the film as it is quite important in society but isn’t so much in this Star Wars film and
this could spark discussion and challenge different views of society today and how people may think
that Disney doesn’t recognise these changes in society.
4. LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES
LEGAL Explain the issue: Example in relation to THE
FORCE AWAKENS
Discrimination: The unjust or hurtful
treatment of different
categories of people,
especially on the ground of
race, age or sex.
Finn is a culturally diverse
character and has a main role
in the film. Also, Rey another
main character is a female.
Both of these shows no
discrimination has taken place.
Copyright: The exclusive and assignable
legal right to print, publish,
perform, film, or record
literacy, artistic, or musical
material.
Star Wars have the rights to all
characters like the
Stormtroopers within in the
film. Also, all of the theme
songs are copyrighted.
ETHICAL –Offensive material Explain the issue: Example in relation to THE
FORCE AWAKENS
Violence/sex/language: The use of Physical force/
action to cause harm or
damage to something or
someone. The way in which
the use of words is
communicated with the
audience to present
something.
The filminvolves violence
however the violence isn’t
major and too graphic for
viewers. There is no offensive
language spoken within the
film.
Children: A young human being below
the age of puberty or below
the legal age of majority.
They aren’t legally allowed to
watch certain things if it is
inappropriate.
The filminvolves lots of
violence however some of it
isn’t that graphic however
some of the scenes aren’t
suitable for children but it is up
to the parents to decide
whether it is suitable or not.
HOW DO THE LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS HAVE AN EFFECT UPON THE MAKING OF THE FORCE AWAKENS?
Disney must make sure that no offensive language Is used as they are trying to target the younger
generation and make them become interested in Star Wars and if they use any offensive language
then parents are going to want to make sure their children aren’t allowed anywhere near the film as
they don’t know what to expect. Therefore, Star Wars must consider what violent scenes are put in
the trailers are how graphic it is for the viewers. If this isn’t done, then it could mean Disney will
receive bad word of mouth and lead to their reputation being damaged.
5. REGULATORYBODIES
BBFC
Who are the BBFC?
The British board of film censors is a non-governmental organisation
What role does the BBFC perform?
They are responsible for the national classification and censorship of films, television programmes,
trailers, adverts etc. and provides age ratings such as U, PG and 12A which are released on DVD
covers across the United Kingdom.
Why does the BBFC exist?
They exist as any film that is shown in the UK must have an age rating by law for it to be released
for the viewers to watch. It’s against the law to try and sell videos and DVDs without an age rating.
If you watch a film at a cinema the age rating also must be displayed legally.
What rules does the BBFC set that have to be followed by film institutions?
The BBFC every 4-5 years carry out major public consultation exercise to find out what the public
thinks about the age rating of films and videos before they are released and whether their
standards meet public concerns
HOW DO THESE RULES HAVE A DIRECT EFFECT UPON HOW A FILM IS MADE?
EXAMPLE 1: (LEGAL)
The film may have to have scenes cut out of the film after they’ve filmed it which could lead to
them having to re-film or change the story slightly just so that they comply with bbfc rules.
EXAMPLE 2: (ETHICAL)
If the viewer doesn’t believe what is happening in the film is ethically right it could cause them to
get bad reviews and cause the production company toreceive bad press and make their reputation
damaged amongst the film industry.
