Legal and Ethical Sssues in Film Adulthood - Essay Example

? Legal and ethical issues in film Adulthood (2008 movie) Retribution forms part of the justice system. Legal systems provide for recourses on any case or issue. Legal, ethical and regulatory implications are a set of rules or rather guidelines meant to ensure quality productions in almost every industry in the universe. They are further meant to create good relationship between the industry and its customers, audiences among other external stakeholders. In the following discourse, the discussion delves into a work of art in reference to its legal, ethical, as well as regulatory implications. For the given study, the case in focus is a London production titled Adulthood. In brief, the movie focuses on the life of the main character called Sam who had been in jail for quite a significant time after being convicted for killing Trife. In a funny twist, what Sam propagates after coming from jail is the same thing that Trife had persuaded him not to do. Trife had tried to make Sam not seek revenge. After killing his friend and going to jail for it, Sam faces a challenging life afterwards. Basically, the movie is about justice and retribution as a form of dispensation of legal law. The discussion that follows herein focuses on how Adulthood as a film observes the stipulated legal, ethical and regulations outlined in the film industry. Just like in every profession, the film industry needs to be regulated. It needs to conform to the set legal, ethical as well as relevant regulations. The industry controls a significant revenue and population. Its influence on the population is also significant. This highlights the importance of adhering to accepted principles. This has relevance since the influence that films command on the audience can have serious implications if deliberations are not taken into mind while controlling the industry. A film like adulthood portrays what happens in most societies. It gives the predicament of those out of jail in view of the rest of the members of the society. Socializing and getting accepted into the society after serving time in jail is often a challenge to most ex-convicts. Prejudices form part of human life. It is common to perceive people or situations from what is visualized without giving considerations to the intricate factors that surround such situations. In terms of films, legal and ethical implications must be observed to ensure the audience gets the right quality (BBFC, 2013). In case that does not happen, there are obvious drawbacks and legal tussles that a film such as Adulthood will be faced with. The audiences are consumers. Consumer satisfaction is a responsibility any business. Government policies also protect consumers. Striking a balance in reference to the two guarantees legal sustainability. In the course of film production, there are obvious contractual agreements that bind the involved parties. In this case, for instance, the film was produced by Amir Madani. In addition, there were other limited liability companies such as High bridge entertainment, Gran via Productions and Sony Pictures Television which were consulted to see the quality production as well as distribution of the film. There are several benefits associated with such companies. Firstly, individual film maker is usually represented by the company should there be a contract breach during the film production (BBFC, 2013). Secondly, the film maker could sell some interests to the limited liability companies and raise some funds to ensure the production process is a success. The companies are more likely to oblige to the tax scheme other than a certain film maker facing the taxing process on individual capacity. The legal predicaments involved in contracts are still applicable in this case. Below is a pictorial representation of the movie’s cover. Being an original work, the movie is a patented product. Its producer has the right of ownership. Any breach of that can lead to a tussle in a court of law. The breach may come from unlawful reproduction. Adulthood was a film which was a sequel to another but completely original. The movie has all the rights associated with its ownership. It has original screen play, life story among others. Since the movie was aired in public, no single complain has been raised in relation to the movie intellectual property. This is a clear indication that either the movie elements are original or the production companies entered genuine contracts from companies whose ideas were incorporated in the movie. Therefore, in terms of intellectual property, the film, Adulthood, and the entire production boast of originality. Movie industry requires all the main actors and producers among other stakeholders appreciated and acknowledged either at the beginning or the end of a certain movie or film. The movie acknowledges all its actors and all the people whose efforts ensured the success of the movie. The movie begins by the names of the main actors who are; Noel Clarke, Scarlett Alice Johnson, Adam Deacon, Jacob Anderson, Femi Oyeniran, Red Madrell, Ben Drew, Nathan Constance and Danny Dyer. The movie also mentions its core producer who is Noel Clarke. The industry requires that all key actors and producers be acknowledged. The actors and producers are indicated at the beginning and end of every episode. The movie industry require each movie to be rated in terms of the correct audience. The movie is meant for people above the age of 18 years; however, parental guidance is required for children below the age of 14 years. This is because the movie contains some explicit pictures that may not be ideal for the children. The warnings indicated at the beginning of the movie so that parents or guardians may take appropriate action should children be among the audience. The warnings are also indicated on the covers of the original copies of the movie. The movie observes several legal obligations stipulated by the film industry. The movie has a unique and original name that distinguishes it from the rest of other movies. Further more; it has a copyright that denies other producers among other film stakeholders from using several special elements and ideas addressed in the movies without any kind of permission (BBC, 2012). This is meant to avoid future duplications of the movie. However, the film contains some educational information where, Omen, Dabs and Blammy teach each other on best ways to save money. This compels the movie to observe the fair use act. The act enables educational or motivational information to be used by other parties without the authentication of the copyright holder. The film was licensed before it was aired to the public among other legal implications. The movie industry recommends appropriates language usage in any film or broadcast. Breaking bad producers ensured the film doest not violate this. However, the actors use the ‘f’ word in several occasions. Parents should guide children below the age of 14 years as indicated in the warning given. There are different of violence indicated in the movie. For instance, family violence and quarrel is portrayed when Trife dies. Continued violence sees the teenager hit-men attacked and killed by the street gang. Criminal violence occurs when Curtis and Jay are held at gun point by Ike, the three are later arrested while Sam manages to escape. The violence component is entertaining but it could be a disgust to some people, more so the religious. The use of guns is common in the entire series. Some audience may find the movie disgusting when Ike walks half naked into a certain supermarket. The character acts as a father and who is expected to lead a respectable life. The scene is not ethical more so to women and even children. The act makes Ike first born son a laughing stock. His fellow students mock him of his father and the family is embarrassed to some extent. However, the scene is censored to an extent that the character’s private parts cannot be viewed. In retrospect, a critical evaluation of the film reveals the intricate legal issues that surround it. In the course of the production of the movie, for instance, there are legal phrases that bind everyone. In terms of morality, the movie has a role in giving logical teachings to its anticipated audience. This can only be achieved if the legal, moral, and stipulated regulations are observed. Several actors use their profession or skills for selfish gain. Omen and Dabs, use their peculiar driving skills to rob citizen of their vehicles. The police could not trace the stolen vehicle since the two have unique ways of rebranding such stolen vehicles. Jay uses his chemistry knowledge to produce chemical oriented drug which causes death of several actors. The daughter of Jay’s landlord dies from the over dose of the drug. Ike is later dedicated to the drug business that sees him sacked from his garage. Robert is a famous lawyer in the movie. Their partnership with Ike among other actors involved in the drug business sees the lawyer engage in several illegal deals to ensure smooth flow of the business. He advices Dabs on money laundering techniques provided he is paid his share. The lawyer is aware of several deaths resulting from the drug business yet he says nothing. The film serves as an appropriate material for the study. It gives opportunities for evaluating the work of film in terms of legal, ethical and regulatory implications. Its relevance can be applied to other films. References BBFC. (2013.). Legislation, Film Licensing. Retrieved January 10, 2013, from bbfc: http://www.bbfc.co.uk/education-resources/student-guide/legislation/film-licensing BBFC. (2013.). The Video Recordings Act. Retrieved January 10, 2013, from bbfc: http://www.bbfc.co.uk/education-resources/student-guide/legislation/video-recordings-act BBC films. (2012, April 27). Legal guide: publishing your short film. Retrieved from BBC film guide: http://www.bbc.co.uk/film network/filmmaking guide Read More