Homework: Revision

1. A conglomerate is a group of companies (called subsidiaries) owned by one larger company. An Independent company is different to this, as they are not owned and do not own any other company.

2. Walt Disney Co. and News Corporation are two examples of cross-media companies, as they both own subsidiaries in different mediums, e.g. web, Tv etc.

LO4: BARB Analysis

ITV (7 - 13 November 2016)

ITV consistently had soaps as the most popular programming, with 8 of the top 10 most popular programmes being soap operas. This indicates that the target audience, those who watch soaps, are most likely in the C1, C2 and D rankings of the ABC1 system, because this is the demographic most likely to watch this typeof programme. As ITV is a commercial TV channel, this makes sense, as in order to make the most profit they would have to appeal to the majority of the population not a niche audience, which is this demographic. The other most popular programmes on ITV were reality shows, such as I'm a Celebrity and the X Factor, which also typically has the C1, C2 and D audience, which supports my point. As the times for the most popular programmes were after working hours, this also supports my point, as the targeted audience would usually be working during the day and so wouldn't be able to watch day time programming.



Programmes such as I'm a Celebrity are 'water cooler' programmes, shows that people get drawn to but don't have much substance.

LO4: Audience Research

Starter

Organisations that collate data:

RAJAR - Radio Joint Audience Research - Collects data about listenerships for radio

NRS - National Readership Survey - Collects data about print products, such as magazines and newspaper readership

BARB - Broadcast Audience Research Board - Collects data about TV audiences

For this section of the exam, we have to analyse data collected by the organisations.

BBFC Age Rating Mind Map

Inception - Active Audience Theory

Hall (1980) encoding/decoding model

Preferred reading - As the majority of the audience were white males, and the majority of the protagonists were white males, the story of Inception may have been easier to accept for them as they could relate to the characters on screen (the Ideal Self theory, the audience wants to do be the characters)/ not have (as many) prejudices against the characters. Other audience demographics may have found the film harder to be interested in, however, males and females may have enjoyed the film due to the Ideal Self/Partner theory, regardless of race, age etc.

Inception - BBFC Rating

Inception

Inception had a rating of a 12A from the BBFC, owing to the fact that it contains frequent use of moderate violence, moderate language and brief themes of suicide.

Extended fight scenes, such as the quintessential corridor fight scene, are fairly frequent in the film, with mildly graphic punches being shown that could be stressful for a younger audience, although little blood or gore was highlighted. This also applies to the gun battles that take place during the film – some blood and dead bodies are shown, although not to the extent that it could be disturbing for a younger audience. A scene where two people are killed by an explosion, which a protagonist did casually, could be seen as graphic, however, it was shown as vaguely comedic in the way the action was portrayed (quip after the killing, bodies not shown) which mitigated the violence. There is also the factor to consider that all the violence takes place in a dream state, with no violence taking part in real life, and as the audience is constantly reminded of this, this also serves to mitigate some of the damage, which supports the 12A age rating.

Moderate language is featured continuously and frequently throughout Inception, but was only used when there was violence or during tense scenes, which is appropriate as it is only used in context and for the sake of it. This also applies to the very limited use of strong language, as it was used in an appropriate context. In addition, there were no use of crude or otherwise offensive language in the film as well, which means resulted in not having a higher rating.

There was very little sexual content in Inception, even less than the 12A rating it was given allowed. Only scenes of kissing were shown throughout the film, with subtle insinuation implied in one scene. As a 12A allows brief nudity and mild sexual content, this is below the rating. And in addition, one of the few kissing scenes in the film is isn't romantic or sexual, as it was purely a device used to complete the mission. However, the quip made afterwards could be seen as making it sexual, although not to the extent to warrant a 12A rating.
Nudity was also not included in Inception - the only thing that could be considered close to nude would be an open-back dress, but this link is tenuous at best. No other nudity was included in the film, again, again not enough for a 12A rating.

Drug use is slightly insinuated in the film, with a mix of connotations. A group of elderly people are shown to be addicted to Inception, which involves a chemical component, because it lets them live in their dreams, an appealing thought for many in the audience. However, the protagonists' reactions to the discovery is negative, going against many audience's opinions, to show drug use un in a negative light, which is appropriate for a 12A.

In conclusion, Inception's violence and profanity are the main, and almost sole reasons for it's 12A rating, as other content is light or not included at all.

Starter: BBFC

5 points of regulation from the BBFC for Inception (12A):
Frequent mild violence - no blood or gore
Frequent mild language - crap, bullshit etc
(Very) mild sexual content - kissing

Things allowed in a 12A:
Mild violence
Moderate language
Mild sexual content
May be nudity, but in a sexual context can only be brief
Insinuation to drug use, or drug use but has to carry an anti-drug method