Sunday, 5 December 2010

Acknowledgement of Music Video Censorship Laws within The UK

Dear Viewer
 
We understand that a narrative of a character hallucinating after drinking and taking drugs would infringe upon censorship laws in the UK regarding the content of music videos which can be commercially viewed.

These censorship laws were created by OFCOM who are the independent telecommunications regulator and competition authority for the communication industries in the United Kingdom. Naturally this covers media distributers such as ourselves as we are trying to promote a music video. Under their programme codes which act as guidelines and regulations for what can and cannot be shown on television, it states the following:

  • "Programmes generally should not include smoking and drinking unless the context or dramatic veracity requires it" 
  • "Particular care is needed with programmes likely to be seen by children and young people"
  • "Care needs to be taken to avoid any impression that illegal drugs are an acceptable feature of modern British society, particularly in programmes of special appeal to children and young people"
  • "Caution should be applied to solvent abuse, and detailed demonstrations of methods of illegal drug-taking that could easily be imitated should be avoided."
  •  "Drug and solvent abuse should not be shown in such a way as to appear problem-free or glamorous"

We vehemently oppose the use of drugs and in no way endorse the use/consumption of illegal substances, although our video does show scenes of hard drug use, it was not intended in any way to be imitated or shown in a positive light. We merely used the drug references as a medium for driving the narrative of our video and we deemed the risk neccessary so that our production could be enjoyed, despite the scenes in question.

In our country (United Kingdom)our television networks emply the use of a watershed which is a set time in which adult content can be shown on television. The period lasts from 9.00 pm to 5.30 am. In this period, our video does not infringe upon any laws regarding the nature of drug related scenes and so we believe that if a music channel was willing to show our video on their channels, it would have to be after 9.00 pm, so that they are not breaking any laws.

We cannot appeal to the niche market because the eponymous song is a strictly main stream house genre song and would not appeal to niche market consumers in any way.

In closing, Music channels can show our video after 9.00pm, during watershed period, anything before that time is the channels own fault for not adhering to censhorship laws and that we cannot be held responsible in any way for their actions, if some viewers find the video upsetting or distressing in anyway.

Thank you for your time.

Team Robot Rock


Paul Henry David Neville
Connor Joseph O'Sullivan
James Antonio Presta
and Jack Cherrington

Friday, 29 October 2010

Lighting Risk Assesment Letter

Dear Mr Worthington.
 
As we have to take home the lighting set in order to film the opening montage shots, we realise that there are various risks that come with using these 800 and 600 watt bulbs in a residential premises. The potential risks that exist from using these high-voltage lights include:

  • Trip hazards from the wires
  • Potential fire outbreaks
  • Burning of ourselves or others in the building
In order to combat these risks we will tape down all the wires securely, never leave the lights unattended as well as using the heat proof gloves when moving the lights around. We acknowledge that this alone won't fully eradicate the risks of the lights, but will minimise them as far as possible. So, in closing, common sense and attention to detail will be applied when we use the lights.

Yours Sincerely
Team Robot Rock

Paul Henry David Neville
Connor Joseph O'Sullivan
James Antonio Presta 
and Jack Cherrington