Developing Technologies in the TV and Film Industries

3DTV Current developments-  3D means 3 dimension. Special eye ware is needed to watch 3DTV and movies. The technology used to make the 3D film record the image from two perspectives. The different techniques of watching a 3D film is;

• Anaglyph
• Polarization systems
• Eclipse method
• Interference filter technology
• Pulfrich
• Spectral separation
• Lenticular or barrier screens
• New systems without glasses

This camera films from two different angles to make a 3D image. In cinemas special glasses are worn so that audiences can see the film in 3D, without them the audience would only see the twoshots on top of each other. In my opinion 3D isn't what all people want. Most people want an improvement in picture. 3D films may distract viewers from the actual film.

Satellite- The programs received by the TV is from a satellite or antenna. This type of receiver can receive channels that other services can't. As HD has been introduced, satellite TV has improved. The Uk's Satellite provider is SKY. Owners of sky would pay in installments to recieve the channels that are requested. Problems with satellite TV is that if weather conditions are bad, the reception would be bad.

Cable- The signals for cable are received through coaxial cable in the form of a radio frequency or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibres. Both found underground. These cable help analogue TV receive digital signals.John Walson and Margaret Walson in the spring of 1948 founded cable. Virgin is the provider in the UK for cable.

Analogue- This is the first type of signal that TV received and the later replaced by digital in 2008. The signals made are encoded. Only 5 channels would be received through and analogue signal. The quality is not as good as the digital signal but the sigal was much simpler. Now TVs are fitted with digital recievers as analogue has stopped.

Digital- Like analogue, digital television is received through signals, Digital signals carry audio and video. Digital has a better quality picture than analogue and has a bigger capacity. Unlike Cable and Satellite, Digital is received through and aerial like analogue. In my opinion I believe Digital is an improvement and more reliable.

Film based- Technology for film making has advanced dramaticly over the years. Colour, picture and audio have improved alot, making a better film experience. Also 3D films have become more popular over the years. Special effects, animation and visual effects have improved so much over the years.

Interactive- Interactive TV has become more popular over the years. We are able to watch sports from different angels and we are able to vote in competitions through the 'red button'. The BBC's red button provides viewers with news about the weather, sports and other news. These can just be accessed by using the remote. Sky interative is a very popular with SKY viewers, they can play games and other activities.

Internet- The Internet is where most information can be found. In recent years TV can be watched through the Internet on catch up websites or even live streaming websites. Sometimes programs could be watched illegally online. On demand and streaming videos can be found online.

High definition- HD TV is a higher quality of TV than normal TVs. These TVs have a clearer image and have two million pixels per frame. TV broadcasters have made alternate channels for viewers with HDTV by creating HD channels. This is that HD viewers are receiving the best picture for what they have bought. They have not made their original channels HD as not all families and homes have a HDTV. The following video tells us how high definition works.

Streaming content- This new way of receiving media has revolutionised TV viewing. People with smart phones are able to receive programs like the news and other programs. Some of this content is live. This way of receiving TV can be bought as an ap. Internet information also can be streamed.

On-demand viewing- This is where people go online, onto websites like 4OD and BBC I player to watch pre-recorded programs that they may have missed on TV. These programs can be watched by Internet. People with a set-top box can ask for different programs for a certain amount of money, very similar to pay per view. Some viewers who have hearing difficulties can request subtitles through on demand or a person the

Digital recorders- This technology can record digital TV on to a disk drive, memory, mass storage ect. It also can replay recorded information. Some recorders can also record cable TV. In some recorders a mass amount of storage.

Pay per view- This is where a person can pay for a certain channel or viewing of a program for one time only. You can pay by an on-screen guide, an automated telephone system, or through a live customer service representative. Usually films and sport events are bought using Pay Per Viewer.

CGI- Computer Generated Imagery is applied in many forms of media; film, TV, art....ect. CGI helps make the impossible, possible in films. CGI films take a very long time to make. There are many ways of creating CGI based films such as stop motion animation and the use of green screen. The computers that the public have at home are now able to access software that can make CGI films.

Regulation of the Media Sector

British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) This where all films, videos, DVDs, programs and games are classified. This is so that audiences know that it is appropriate. U, PG 12, 12A, 15, 18, R18 are the classifications that used in films. The classification is based on the content of the film. Some films are sensored so that fit into the right classification as intended.

British Video Association The BVA represents the interests of publishers and rights owners of video entertainment. They make sure that the owner receives full rights for their videos.

Film Distributors Association Is the trade body for film distributors that release films for UK  cinema audiences. This association helps the trade of film. They combat film privacy and piracy.

Video Standards Council (VSC) Makes sure pre-recorded videos are appropriate to be broadcasted. Like the BBFC they make sure that videos are classified correctly. They give parents information on how to keep their children safe from inappropriate things.

Television, Radio and Telecommunications Office for Communication (Ofcom) Ofcom regulates what does and doesn't appear on British TV, radio and video games according to the Broadcasting Act. People who have problems with the different forms of media complain to Ofcom.

Trading Standards Central Regulates the safety of trading and makes sure illegal trading is prevented. They also regulate trading content. Content like drugs and illegal inports.

Press Complaints Commission (PCC) Is where the public can complain about what the press talks about, as they could be disturbing,discomforting or even un-factual.

Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) Makes sure that adverts are appropriate and are what is best for the public's interests.
The Mobile Entertainment Forum (MEF) Promotes the growth of the use of mobiles in the work place and at home.

The Independent Games Developers Association (IGDA) Supports the growth in the video game industry and help provide jobs.

British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is the leading independent charity supporting, developing and promoting Film and Television to Video Games and Interactive Media.

Radio Academy  It represents commercial radio to the government and other organisations concerned with commercial radio. People can complain to them about the radio and they would try to solve the problem.
The International Visual Communication Association (IVCA)  Represents its members to Government and other stake holding bodies and to promote effective business and public service communications of the highest ethical and professional standards.

Worldwide Web Consortium (W3C) Is the organisation for The World Wide Web. It wants to educate and develop the public's understanding of the Internet.

British Web Design and Marketing Association to encourage and promote industry standards within the British web design and new media sector.

British Interactive Multimedia Association (BIMA) Supports the digital industry, encouraging the next generation to understand the industry. It helps game creaters get their names known.

Conclusion
There are many regulatory bodies that make sure that the different types of media follow the rules. These bodies try to resolve complaints and problems within the media.

 

Regulatory issues

Ownership 

An examples of problems with ownership is where Rupert Murdoch had to take responsibility for what his employs did during the phone hacking scandal. OFCOM had to decide whether Rupert Murdoch was aloud to buy 60% of sky.
Monopoly
A monopoly is where a person or organisation owns everything, so that means they control much of the media. People who charge more than what the product actually is to a person who is well off and charges less to a person with less money, is discrimination. Trading standards try to prevent deals like these. OFCOM make sure that organisations don't own alot of the media and have the most influence.
Access
Freedom of Information and censorship prevents people for gaining access to information that could be against taste and decency. Information that can be accessed is usually information that is not private and does not offend or disturb.

Consumer Choice
Is where people try to save as much money as possible when buying a product. They would use compare price sites to find the cheapest deals. Compare the market and Go Compare are websites that help people comapare different things such as car insurance. Shops such as Tesco compare their product prices with other shops so that people can buy products for the best price.
Freedom of Information
This is where the public has the right to know important information as it may be in the public's interests.This means that the government have to decide what information can and can't be released. Information about a person can be shown to that person without question. Usually information that is not aloud to be known by the public is in the public's interest.

Censorship
Censorship is used to hide information from the public. Many publications use this to put their opinions across. The government during the world wars used to censor all publications so that the public was influenced. Censorship makes sure taste and decency is in order.

Taste and Decency
This describes whether a film, publication, television program is show with appropriate content. This means that it would not offend the viewer but at the same time entertain. Images of events across the world that could haunt or disturb people would be against the Taste and Decency law.

Ethical and Legal Constraints Within Media Sector

Ethical:
Code of Practice: A set of written rules which explains how people working in a particular profession should behave.

The BBC's code of practice;
'It is in the interest of the UK television audience that there is a competitive and thriving independent production supply market. The BBC has a role as the nation's principal public service broadcaster to help stimulate and support the development of the independent production sector.

Editors code of practice:
All members of a publication have to maintain the highest professional standards.
The Code sets the benchmark for those ethical standards, protecting both the rights of the
individual and the public's right to know.



Legal:
People working in the media industry have too be aware of the following laws;

Broadcasting Act 1990- The Aim was to reform television. It’s the law of the British Parliament. This act tells us what is legal and illegal. If a TV/radio channel or publication showed explicit information, pictures or videos the company would be sued.

Official Secrets Act 1989- These secret could affect the security of the country. There are six main categories that are used in this law.

Security and Intelligence
Information entrusted in confidence to other states or international organizations
Defence
International Relation
Information useful to criminals
Interception and phone
If a person was to reveal the secret information of a person that person would be prosecuted.

Obscene Publications Act 1959-This deals with people’s private information, if people release the information they would be prosecuted. Health, finance and online laws are a part of the privacy law. If you show something with graphic content to an unsuitable age group you would be breaking the Obscene Publications Act.
Films Act 1985- Defining finance for British films.

Video Recordings Act 1984- It states that commercial video recordings offered for sale or hire within the UK must carry classification that has been agreed upon by an authority designated by the home office. When a person owns a video store and this person sells or rents an illegal or un-released video, the person would be prosecuted. If Blockbuster was to sell or rent a DVD with no classification, this would be illegal.

Race Relations Act 1976- This act was created to prevent discrimination. This means that different races, colours and genders should receive a good lifestyle with good education and provision to public services. If a publication discusses or discriminates a certain type/race of person the publication or the person who wrote it would be prosecuted.

Human Rights Act 1998- This act means that everyone has the right to live as equals and should respect each other. If someone was to breach the humans it would mean your freedom would be taken away.

Licensing Act 2003- This act is found in England and Wales. To sell alcohol in a pub or in a shop you would need a licence. You would also need a licence to keep your pub open at certain times. If a pub was to sell something without a licence the pub owner be prosecuted. If a pub was to sell alcohol to underage people the pub owner would loose their licence. If a pub owner showed shows that were illegal the pub owner would loose their licence.

Privacy law-This deals with people’s private information, if people release the information they would be prosecuted. Health, finance and online laws are a part of the privacy law. If a newspaper was to release private information such as when the news of the world hacked the phones of victims.
Copyright and intellectual property law- An owner of a creation or product has the right to keep that idea for themselves and no one else can use it. The property cannot be used without the owner’s permission. If a person was to share their idea with the dragons on dragons den and then someone copied that idea, it would be an offence against the law.
Libel law-This law tells us that publications are not allowed to damage a person’s reputation.

Slander is where someone tells other people untruth bad things about another person. Slander is usually based on spoken words and hand gesture. If you were to be slanderous against a person on a publication against someone that isn't true, this would be an offence against Libel Law.

Examples of a high profile legal case
Super Injection
A super ingestion is where famous people try to protect their secret information from the public eye. They a pay a lot of money so that their information is cut off from the public. Sometimes the information is leaked. People who leak the information would be punished. For example if a footballer had an affair, this would be in the public interest but it could affect this person's reputation. In my opinion I think this should not be aloud because not everyone has the money to pay for an injection and as a famous person they should know not to do anything that could fracture their reputation. This breaches privacy laws and the human rights law.

BBFC

The British Board of Film Censors has been classifying films and video since 1912. It is not run by the government. They have complete control over film; they can change the category of a film and even ban films. They decide the classification of a film depending on the content.

Ofcom
Ofcom regulates what does and doesn't appear on British TV, radio and video games according to the Broadcasting Act. People who have problems with the different forms of media complain to Ofcom.


Representation

This is where different forms of media talk about a certain group of people in a stereotypical manor. Representation tells us what the public think of a group of people ( depending on race, culture, sexuality ect). Some representations offend some people but sometimes it makes the group sound good.

Film Financing

Government grants:- This is where films are funded by the government. The government hope that 'creative individuals' are interested in moving into the area. The funded does not have to be repaid back the government. If the film is shot in a certain place it could help advertise the location.
Tax Schemes:-This where tax deductions are enhanced for film owners/makers and big companies that don. These people try to find the best tax deduction so that 't want to pay a lot of tax. They try to find the best tax schemes so they're tax free.
Debt Finance:- The producer of a film, sells the film in advance and use the money they have made to pay for the making of the film. The people who buy the films have to be certain that it will make a profit. Un-successful films would loose the buyers a lot of money.If a famous star is in the film or a well known producer is making the film it is a guarantee that the film would make money.
Equity Finance:- This type of finance is the less risky of the other ones. The person who buys apart in a film is guaranteed to get their money back even if the film 'flops'. Product placement in films makes a lot of money, this is because companies pay a lot of money to see their product in the film, for advertisement purposes. This happens in films such as James Bond where the product is the Aston Martin.Private equity is where film producer pitch their ideas to a private buyer such as the dragons on dragons den. These private investors will then earn a profit.

Funding/ Finance of TV

TV

TV channels such as the BBC(public service broadcaster) and Channel 4(part public/ part commercial) gain money through the licence fee. The licence fee is now £145.50 and £7.90 of this is given to the BBC from each person in the UK. The BBC gains money through merchandising, The licence Fee, syndication and competitions. The BBC does not advertise other products so this means The BBC won't earn money that way. ITV and Chanel 5 are commercial TV stations. They earn most of their money through advertisements, merchandising and sponsoring. As well as other channels they also syndicate programs, which earns them a lot of money.  Channel 4 earns a small amount from the licence fee. They also advertise and syndicate. Sky and Virgin are subscriber broadcaster this means they do not earn money through the licence fee. The BBC does not worry about the number of viewers as they receive money from the public even if they do not watch the channel. The money that is earned goes towards making the program better, so that more money is earned. Their only concern is that their programs are worth watching. Channels such as ITV depend on competitions and phone ins to gain money.
Product placement is where TV channels are paid to put certain products in their programs, this is very similar to advertisements. More and more Channels use this to earn money.

Advertising on TV channels becomes more expensive when placed between featured films. Channels buy films so that the people who want advertise, have to pay more.

Syndication is where Channels sell their original programs to other channels for high prices. E4 is a well known channel that shows programs that were once owned by another channel.

My Opinion on Pixar

Pixar is one of my favourite film corperation. It produces family friendly films which apeal to all ages. It may have some issues when it comes to religion but it is rarely ever offencive. Pixar films are sold all over the world and make a lot of money. The co-operation between Disney and Pixar are much to be disired but over the years they have produced some great films.

Pixar Part 2

Disney and Pixar have had along relationship together and there have been many ups and downs. In 1991 Disney began to be the main face of their films. The organisation is made up of many people from script writers to animators to directors. Pixar gains many millions dollars per year from their films, through cinema tickets, DVDs/Bluerays and other merchandise, across the world. Their films are directed at families but as people grow up with past Disney films most people of different ages enjoy them. Now that Disney and Pixar are in collaboration the company is more popular. Pixar has won many Academy awards for their films and many of the production team has won awards as well.