Tuesday 1 April 2014

Mock Exam 2: Video Nasties 35 mins


Read the Question > Translate the word > Note down what Points are relevant > Conclude your argument > Answer the Question





Prepare an argument: Critical reviews of Banned Video Nasties
Each team of 4 take a different Case Study from the films below

For the following Video Nasties read over the plot summary imdb or wikipedia outline the content, watch the trailers - why do you think this one in particular banned?
How have these Video Nasties been critically received over time, what films did these directors go on to make?
What is your group's opinion - should these have been banned or censored?
What were the contextual reasons for these films being banned? 
 
Apply to demonstrate
Do you agree with the right-wing (conservative) decisions to censor or restrict access (regulate) to these films? Justify your opinion with evidence from today and reference to one of the films.
Write your individual argument on your blog
    Exemplars (graded)

 “Film censorship is motivated by fears about audiences and technologies.” Discuss this statement in reference to the concerns expressed about uncensored and unregulated video content in Britain in the early 1980s. [30 marks]

Time yourselves: Plan (5 mins), Write (30 mins)
Use your notes to answer the question

The concerns expressed about uncensored and unregulated video content in Britain in the early 1980s include discussion of :

The Moral Panic about the uncensored and unregulated Video Nasties & the move to BBFC regulation of film in the home. 
Pro-censorship groups such as the National Viewers and Listeners Association (Banned) Conservative MPs wanting restrictive laws for access to films on video
The dawning of the home video age - format wars (VHS and Betamax), the fashion & rapid take-up in the UK of home video in the 80's

Remember the question is an exploration of contexts, therefore I would recommend you plan as follows
Intro - answer the question with your opinion on the statement, choose the 3 contextual points that affected Film Censorship - THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO WRITE IS DO YOU THINK IS WHAT ARE THESE FEARS & ARE THEY JUSTIFIED, back it up briefly with reasons:

Economic
Social/Political
Technological
See your notes & the post '
Notes on Video Nasties/Format Wars'

Paragraph 1. Home Video fashionable (Format Wars - VHS easier to copy) & Piracy
Paragraph 2. Unregulated films (Video Nasties) & Banned Horror

Paragraph 3. The Moral Panic: Conservative government & National Viewers & Listeners Association

Paragraph 4. BBFC (the censor) eventual regulation of Home Video

Conclusion - your opinion: "Film censorship is motivated by fears about audiences and technologies" 
Arguments (A/B Grade):
  • Are we de-sensitized now so these low budget Horror films look tame in comparison - all of them have been remade mainstream.
  • Were they right to do so, were these films morally corrupt? - should film be censored ever? 
  • These films & their directors are critically appreciated now, Wes 'Scream' Craven, Sam 'Spiderman' Raimi

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