notes

1. DISNEY: LEGAL & ETHICAL, REGULATORYBODIES
FORM COMPLETED BY:
A) POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF FILM UPON AN AUDIENCE
THEORY/EFFECT EXPLAIN WHAT THIS IS CAN THIS BE AN EFFECT
THAT THE FORCE
AWAKENS HAS ON AN
AUDIENCE? HOW?
HYPODERMIC NEEDLE
THEORY
This theory suggests that an
audience is passive and
unable to form their own
opinions, believing without
questioning.
This is unlikely to be an effect
on the older audience as they
are less likely to be passive.
However, a younger
audience may be more
susceptible to this as they
may not have the ability to
formulate an understanding
of what they are watching
and therefore take it at face
value.
TWO STEP SLOW Developed by Lazarsfeld and
Katz, the two step flow
follows the theory that an
opinion leader forms an
opinion which the followers of
this opinion leader follows
and will agree with. The
second opinion leader then
passes the information on
with their interpretation to
others.
This is prevalent in today’s
society as there is a rise in
the use of social media which
many people follow idols and
celebrities. Many of whom’s
fans will agree with their
opinion so that they “fit” the
crowd. Therefore a large
franchise such as Star Wars
with the backing it has from
many celebrities causes this
theory to work.
USES AND
GRATIFICATIONS
 1974 Blulmer, Katz and
McQuail developed a theory
as to why an audience
watches something. They
created four sections
detailing this, this is known
as uses and gratifications.
They are as follows, a
person may watch
something for Diversion,
Personal relationship,
Personal identity and
surveillance.
This can be an effect that is
featured in Star Wars the
Force Awakens as many
watch Sci-Fi genres as they
want escape from reality that
they can offer, diversion.
They also may watch it for
personal identity as an
audience member may wish
to imagine themselves in
place of a character, again
linking to diversion, as well
as creating links to personal
identity.
DESENSITISATION There could be more of a
moral obligation to Star Wars
to portray the knock on effect
of the damage the first order
causes such as destroying
planets. They do not highlight

2. the damage it does to
families and innocent people.
However, it can be argued
that the theory is therefore
true as due to the fact it’s
aliens and foreign to the
audience they do not care as
much.
WHAT ARE THE POSITIVE EFFECTS OF THE FORCE AWAKENS ON AN AUDIENCE?
The positive effects of the force awakens on an audience is that especially for a younger
audience it offers a rudimentary understanding of morals, through the constant theme of good
versus evil. It also offers the gratification of diversion and many other across the entire target
audience, offering entertainment.
WHAT ARE THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF THE FORCE AWAKENS ON AN AUDIENCE?
The negative effects of the force awakens upon an audience is that a younger audience
could misinterpret these rudimentary morals of good and evil, as well as become
desensitised to the violence featured in the film. This means that despite all of Disney’s
efforts they may become accustomed to this and take away the wrong message from the film.
B) 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 Disney have represented it in
this diverse way due to the
nature of the film being all
inclusive due to the fact that
there are countless species
and races featured within the
This would be considered
positive representation as in
a world with high political
tension and wars based on
religion and race, this attempt
at proving the point that it

3. franchise. Therefore by not
creating a fiasco over the
race of characters it not only
attracts a wider target
audience but highlights the
point of a person’s race not
mattering.
does not matter will create a
positive representation for
Disney.
Gender Gender is also conveyed in a
way that it does not matter,
for much of the same
reasons as the way they
have portrayed race.
This will reflect positively on
Disney as the fight for
women’s rights and equality
has become prevalent in
society.
Age Age has been shown as
though it does not matter
It will reflect positively as it
shows how older people are
not cast out or not valued in
society in the franchise.
Sexuality Sexuality is never really
explored in the franchise
By not making a big deal out
of it, it therefore cannot
cause any offence and is
viewed positively.
Does the film provide typical mainstream representations or does it offer something that
challenges society?
It could be argued that it challenges who is the good side and who is the bad within society.
What are the current debates in society regarding representation that could be related to
the film?
Whether wars are just and the role of women in society.

4. C) LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES
LEGAL Explain the issue: Example in relation to THE
FORCE AWAKENS
Discrimination: People are being treated
differently based on their
heritage or background.
For example, the actor who
plays Finn, john Boyega was
reduced I size for the
Chinese version of the film
poster.
Copyright: It means that money is not
being given to the correct
people and, ideas may be
stolen
Due to the originality of star
wars if copyright is infringed
it will mean a massive loss
to them as it takes away this
originality factor.
ETHICAL –Offensive material Explain the issue: Example in relation to THE
FORCE AWAKENS
Violence/sex/language: It may be deemed
offensive to some people
The violence shown in the
franchise may put people off
as it is against their views.
Children: Content has to be suitable
for children
Within the film it depicts
people being shot and killed
HOW DO THE LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS HAVE AN EFFECT UPON THE MAKING OF THE
FORCE AWAKENS?
They have to produce a film which follows an age rating guideline and therefore have to
ensure that it is suitable for their target audience.
HOW DO THE LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS HAVE AN EFFECT UPON THE MAKING OF THE
FORCE AWAKENS?
They have to think about the age rating of the film and how it differs from country to country ,
possibly having different edits to fit the laws.

5. D) REGULATORY BODIES
BBFC
Who are the BBFC?
The British Board of Film Classification
What role does the BBFC perform?
They review and decide each films age rating
Why does the BBFC exist?
To ensure that mature content is not viewed by a younger audience, as it is not
suitable for them.
What rules does the BBFC set that have to be followed by film institutions?
A film cannot promote discrimination and the use of drugs. Or Imitable behaviour,
HOW DO THESE RULES HAVE A DIRECT EFFECT UPON HOW A FILM IS MADE?
EXAMPLE 1: (LEGAL)
They must make sure that they follow the BBFC’s guidelines
EXAMPLE 2: (ETHICAL)
They must understand and create a film that fits the guidelines whilst also remaining
ethically correct with what is depicted in the film.