Video recording act 1984 :: essays papers

Video recording act 1984 History As more and more people in the UK started to rent and buy videos for home use, it was thought that some kind of act should be passed that protected the public’s intrest. The video recordings act was brought in to prevent people from making videos of offensive nature (to some people) and then selling that footage to people who are deemed not suitable to see the footage (under aged) or people who are unaware of the nature of the video. In 1984 the act was passed through parliament and the BBFC (British Board Of Film Censorship) was designated to make sure that videos that are offered for sale or hire in the UK have the correct certificate. It was felt that videos needed to have a stricter rating system than cinema films as they could easily be obtained by under aged persons. The act does not really concentrate on the welfare of animals, but does stop films being made which depict scenes of cruelty, sexual (human/animal) intercourse/activities and mutilation. This act does work in relation with other acts that does protect animals, such as the Protection Of Animals Act 1911, Criminal Justice & Public Order and The Performing Animals (regulation) Act 192 5. Act Requirements & Aims: The act affects anyone who wishes to sell or hire videos for home, public use. The act may also effects people who have unlicensed videos for home use (extreme cases) The video recordings act states that: 1) Videos must be classified by designated authority (The president or vice president of the BBFC). That the certificate must reflect the video's suitability for home use. 2) Videos Must Not Contain Graphic Footage of – Â · Torture to humans or animals. Â · Explicit sexual acts between humans or human/animal. Â · Cruelty of animals (as stated in the Protection of Animals Act 1911). Â · Extreme violence to animals or people (particularly children and women). Â · Enjoyment from sexual assaults (human or animal). Â · Scenes that would cause great distress to Animals. These are the main points that effect animals, the rest of the act talks about the classification of the videos and footage in relation to people. 3) That it is an offence to sell such videos to any one under the certificate age. Videos are still allowed to show mild cruelty (depending in what context), for example when they hurl the cow out of the castle in Monty pythons quest for the Holy Grail (15 cert).