Regulations: Age ratings for Music Videos

From the 1st of October, 2014 music videos became subjected to age ratings and restrictions similar to those used on films. All UK produced music videos will gain a 12, 15, 18 or R18 certificate, which will be displayed in the video description on sites like YouTube and Vevo. The aim of these classifications is to warn consumers about the video's content, as well as to give parents a greater control over the content their children are exposed to online. However, as these restrictions will only apply to music videos produced in the UK, any controversy caused by international artists will remain uncensored and easily accessible online without being labelled with an age restriction. This will mean that music videos containing graphic content, such as violence, sexual references and explicit language that are produced internationally, such as Rihanna's "B**** Better HAve My Money" will remain unaffected by the new age restricions designed to safeguard younger audiences.

Whilst I can understand the importance of these age classifications, which have the potential to protect children from harmful content.  The American Psychological Association in 2007, found that the use of sexulaised images and themes in the media, advertising and music videos often causes depression, eating disorders and low self esteem in adolescents. Similarly, in 2009 Elsevier Health Sciences found a link between early sexual activity in American teenagers and the amount of popular songs with sexual references they are exposed to. There is abundant research suggesting a positive correlation between drug use or sexual activity with the amount of exposure adolescents have to questionable song lyrics. The potentially damaging effects of some of the content in popular music videos does mean that age restrictions are an important intervention to make, in combination with parental controls.

However, multiple critics find that the introduction of these regulations is a pointless exercise. Most children and teenagers are technologically competent enough to work around parental controls, meaning that placing an age rating of 15 or 18 on a video is simply going to make an adolescent more interested in the video's content. The ratings intended to protect children from harmful content could instead act as a flag, indicating to where the interesting and supposedly forbidden content is. 

Another issue with age ratings is that videos without controversial or explicit content are often mistakenly restricted. This can prevent children from accessing content that could portray positive messages and increase their awareness of different cultures, ethnicities and sexualities. Videos containing same-sex relations and references to abuse are often targeted by regulation enforcers, which could prevent adolescents from accessing content that could help them through difficult times in their life whilst introducing them to support networks and welcoming communities. An example of age classification going wrong is Ira Sach's film "Love is Strange". Whilst containing no sex, nudity, drug use or violence, the video was given the rating "R" because it portrays a newly wed, elderly gay couple. This is a prine example of how classification is a subjective process which could result in multiple media texts positively promoting equality and diversity being restricted and hidden from audiences who may find the content enlightening.

As identifying elements within music videos that render them inappropriate for certain age groups is very much a mater of opinion, iit is hard to trust the ratings and restrictions created by the BBFC and websites like YouTube. With the introduction of these regulations, the question is now whether we can trust YouTube to act as the gatekeepers of content that younger generations can be exposed to.

Overall I understand the importance of regulations and age ratings for all media (including films, music videos and video game). However, I highly doubt that these ratings will make a major difference to the media content being explored by younger generations.

I believe that my music video would have the age rating of "PG", as although it discusses the sensitive topic of mental health and depression, it will contain no drug misuse, sexual behaviour, nudity or dangerous behaviour. These are all elements that indicate that a music video will need to be evaluated by the bbfc for age restrictive classification. I had considered introducing the element of addiction in my music video as part of the lyrics of the song "Lean" by "Have Mercy" reads "you need help and you can't quit". This could be interpreted that the character of the song has reached a stage of substance abuse or alcoholism that has reached the stage of dependency on the addictive substance. Because I didn't want to have controversial footage of drug misuse in my music video, I chose to interpret these lyrics as the protagonist of the music video needs help in changing his negative thinking. Although this interpretation will be harder to present, it will mean that my music video will have a lower age rating from the bbfc of "PG", making it accessible to a wider audience, as well as reducing the possibility of the audience misinterpreting the message of the music video.

Bibliography:

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/33969075/age-rating-to-be-permanent-feature-on-online-music-videos
• https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/aug/18/age-ratings-uk-music-videos-youtube-vevo-miley-rihanna-dizzee-rascal
• https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/aug/23/will-age-rating-classifications-music-video-work
• https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/02/070220005051.htm
• https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/05/rihannas-video-bitch-better-have-my-money-misogynistic

Task 8: Music Video Pitch (Includes Updated Ideas)

The Song:



Music Video Synopsis:

The music video follows a male character suffering from depression. Because of social stigma and poor relationships with his strict family members, he becomes isolated and can't talk about his emotions. When the male character goes out walking, he comes across a depression helpline poster, which he takes the phone number for and calls. The helpline introduces a female character who acts as a support network and "guardian angel" figure, helping the male character to deal with his depression. Despite this support, the male character still feels isolated and it is implied that he attempts suicide, although the success of this remain an enigma at the end of the video.

Mindmap:

Storyboards:

Interactive Task:

1. Looking at the song's lyrics, what themes come to mind in your personal interpretation of the song?

2. Who do you imagine the audience for this song and band are? List keywords or use drawings to describe your thoughts.
(The band's genre is described as "Alternative rock, emo and pop-punk")

Task 6: Storyboards

Task 10: Filming: Production Schedule

Production Schedule #1
Date, Time and Location of filming	Date: 29/11/2016 Time: 18:00 Location: The inside of a house.
Actors	Musicians
Filming plan	Close up shots of amplifiers. Close up shots of lip syncing. Close up shots of bass guitar. Long shot of silhouetted musicians.
Equipment	Camera Tripod Gorilla-pod Extra lighting/ lamp
Props	Bass Guitar Microphone Amp Picks Guitar and amp leads.
Costumes	Musicians are to be dressed in black, plain clothing.
Notes

Production Schedule #2
Date, Time and Location of filming	Date: 3/12/2016 Time: 12:00 Location: Interior of a house and surrounding areas of countryside, outside of Tamworth.
Actors	Male character: Reece Humphreys Female character: Lauren Cannon
Filming plan	Shot 5 Shot 6 Shot 7 Shot 8 Shot 17
Equipment	Camera Phone
Props	Phone(s) Park Bench Depression helpline poster
Costumes	Male character: Black or plain dark coloured t-shirt, jeans, black hoodie and black trainers.  Female character: White, yellow, cream or light coloured, plain clothing and converse.
Notes

Task 10: Filming: Production Risk Assessment

Risk Assesment:

Hazard: Risk	To whom:	Uncontrolled Risk Severity x Likelihood  = Risk Rating			Control Risk By:	Residual Risk: Severity x Likelihood  = Risk Rating			Further Action Recommended:
		Severity	Likelihood	Risk Rating		Severity	Likelihood	Risk Rating
Tripping .etc.	Actors and production team	1	3	M Medium	Ensure that all actors and members of the production team are wearing suitable footwear when filming. Also tape down any loose wires along the floor and keep the legs of the tripods clear from pathways, to eradicate main tripping hazards.	1	2	L Low	Venues and areas used for filming will remain well lit through the duration of the process. Actors and production members should also be alerted of potential hazards created by the equipment on the site.
Cuts and other minor injuries	Actors and production team	2	1	M Medium	Inspect all equipment for sharp edges and broken or rough surfaces before use. Then check the surrounding areas for sharp objects that could present danger before commencing filming.	1	1	L Low	Ensure a first aid kit is present during filming and is easily accessible.
Food related injuries E.g. burns, scolds, choking and allergic reactions.	Actors and production team.	3	2	H High	Have a qualified first aider and a phone to contact emergency services present at all times during filming. Any food and/ or drink consumed will be provided by reliable sources and will be accurately labelled for allergens.	2	1	M Medium	Make sure that all members of the filming process are given a break long enough to give them the time needed to safely consume any refreshments needed.
Fire	Actors, the production team and members of the public.	5	1	H High	Check all electrical equipment for any faults of damage that could result in an electrical fire. Also locate nearby fire extinguishers and sources of water.	3	1	M Medium	Make sure that the fire evacuation procedure for the areas of filming are identified and recognised by everyone involved in the process of filming.
Antisocial behaviour from participant in filming or members of the public.	Actors, members of the production team and members of the public.	3	4	H High	Brief all individuals involved in the process of filming to clarify that any antisocial behaviour and time wasting will be unacceptable, as time allocated to filming will be limited.	2	1	L Low	Attempt to film all scenes set outside at times of the day when fewer members of the public will be present. When filming inside of a building, choose a quiet space, removed from other members of the public.