Britain's Affronted Youth Documentary
Brief Outline
The Documentary ("Britain's Affronted Youth") will focus on how there has been a monumental shift in Britain's youth regarding how easily offended they are as a generation, exploring the idea that they are the 'Cotton Wool Generation'. In order to evaluate this topic; Interviews will be incredibly important, recording live reactions to offensive content and then reviewing their opinion on that. The Offensive content used for the interviews will revolve around: Sexism, Feminism and Racism due to their relevancy at this current moment in time. Archived footage will be used in order to compare the reactions of people now and how opinions on offensive content has changed, as well as B roll footage and a soundtrack that is relevant to British Youth. It will be presented similarly to Louis Theroux documentaries in terms of not shying away from asking someone a question that could offend either the audience or the interviewee. In terms of style/format, the documentary will be a performative piece of work due to the fact that it will be aimed to be neutral.
Finished Documentary Proposal
Roles
Presenter – Jordan
Editing – Lucas and Jordan
Camera – Charlie and Connor
Lighting and Props – Lucas
Producer – Charlie
Sound– Connor
Location Scout - Charlie, Lucas and Connor
Editing – Lucas and Jordan
Camera – Charlie and Connor
Lighting and Props – Lucas
Producer – Charlie
Sound– Connor
Location Scout - Charlie, Lucas and Connor
Research
Why is it that more offensive comments can be made on Social Networks with no one appearing to be offended?
Due to the fact that social media has an aspect of anonymity to it, it has turned into a dense area of incredibly 'offensive' opinions and content to be made. There are endless examples of offensive content seemingly going unnoticed online, whether it be blatant cyber bullying or extreme political views that many would struggle to even call 'political'. An example of this that is relevant to the documentary would be the social media group labelled "Britain's First". Despite the group's content over social network - Facebook and Twitter mainly - being incredibly offensive. Following the foundations of The English Defence League, they still have a vast following and very few people calling them out over social media even though the public for the most part would be vastly embarrassed and outraged if they saw one of their marches in the flesh. In fact being 'the first political party to have 1 million likes' on their official Facebook page and following the refugee crisis that number is most definitely on the rise. They are also prominent on Youtube, essentially harassing people based on their religion/race, an example can be seen to the right.
Harvard Reference - Withnall, A . (2015 ). Britain First far-right group claims to be 'first political party' to reach 1 million likes on Facebook. Available: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/britain-first-far-right-group-claims-to-be-first-political-party-to-reach-1-million-likes-on-a6728991.html. Last accessed 3rd October 2017 . |
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Despite "Britain's First" being one of the main figureheads for offensive content online that is seen by the British Youth, there are many self-contained cases of abuse/offence that are seen or experienced by the young generation of Britain that also seemingly go unnoticed in spite of the danger of being sent to prison, examples of this include: Justin Carter, Matt Woods and Paula Asher. The most prominent of the three - Justin Carter - stated online "I think Ima shoot up a kindergarten... And watch the blood of the innocent rain down...And eat the beating heart of one of them."
Harvard Reference: Demas, N . (2013 ). 8 social media users arrested for what they said online . Available: https://mic.com/articles/54961/8-social-media-users-arrested-for-what-they-said-online#.XS3wxEbsV. Last accessed 3rd October 2017 .
Below are examples of tweets just as offensive that received no punishment whatsoever, two of them being made by public figures with a large sphere of influence both online and in real life. Bringing forth the question of when is the line drawn between slightly controversial and offence enough to result in a prison sentence? For example, Justin Carter's one comment warranted an arrest and yet "Britain's First" who make controversial content constantly are essentially praised for being the first 'political party' to reach 1 million likes on Facebook.
Harvard Reference: Demas, N . (2013 ). 8 social media users arrested for what they said online . Available: https://mic.com/articles/54961/8-social-media-users-arrested-for-what-they-said-online#.XS3wxEbsV. Last accessed 3rd October 2017 .
Below are examples of tweets just as offensive that received no punishment whatsoever, two of them being made by public figures with a large sphere of influence both online and in real life. Bringing forth the question of when is the line drawn between slightly controversial and offence enough to result in a prison sentence? For example, Justin Carter's one comment warranted an arrest and yet "Britain's First" who make controversial content constantly are essentially praised for being the first 'political party' to reach 1 million likes on Facebook.
Articles of People Getting Offended by Controversial Statements (Jordan)
On the site TMZ there is uproar at the fact that Michael Che referred to Donald Trump as a 'cracker' but then carry on to say 'Michael Che called Donald Trump lots of things on SNL, including a bitch, which is all fair game... but did he cross the line when he called Trump a cracker.' This shows the fact that they think that a simple word 'cracker' is too far even though they claim calling Trump a 'bitch' is fair play.
They then proceed to make a vote to see if the people find it racist or 'Fair Play'. The results they gained showed that more people thought that this statement is racist. To help with my Primary research I will use this secondary research to see if people find these statements racist or not.
HARVARD REFERANCE:
n/a. (10/1/17). MICHAEL CHE Calls Trump 'Cracker on 'SNL' ... RACIST?. Available: http://www.tmz.com/2017/10/01/michael-che-calls-trump-cracker-on-snl-racist/. Last accessed 2nd October 2017.
James Wilkinson. (30 September 2017). Trump fans hit out at Michelle Obama for reading 'racist' Dr Seuss books to kids while she was First Lady after school librarian rejected Melania's gift. Available: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4936302/Michelle-Obama-mocked-reading-racist-Dr-Seuss-books.html. Last accessed 2nd October 2017.
Linda Kelsey. (1 December 2016). Men are now the downtrodden sex: Feminist (and mother of a son) reluctantly admits women's fight for equality has gone too far - as two men reveal how they were pushed to the brink of suicide Read mo. Available: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3988030/As-provocative-film-argues-women-s-fight-equality-gone-far-emasculated-men-one-feminist-mother-son-reluctantly-admits-Men-downtrodden-sex.html. Last accessed 3rd October 2017.
They then proceed to make a vote to see if the people find it racist or 'Fair Play'. The results they gained showed that more people thought that this statement is racist. To help with my Primary research I will use this secondary research to see if people find these statements racist or not.
HARVARD REFERANCE:
n/a. (10/1/17). MICHAEL CHE Calls Trump 'Cracker on 'SNL' ... RACIST?. Available: http://www.tmz.com/2017/10/01/michael-che-calls-trump-cracker-on-snl-racist/. Last accessed 2nd October 2017.
- On the daily mail they are also showing the attack on the ex-First Lady Michelle Obama for 'reading racist Dr Seuss books to kids while she was First Lady after school librarian rejected Melania's gift'. It was also claimed that the librarian rejected the book because of 'She said they were 'steeped in racist propaganda' and 'harmful stereotypes''. They claim this due to the fact people respected Michelle Obama for reading this to kids whilst Melania is turned down when offering the book. People took offence due to the fact they think its due to the race of the First lady. This is evident in the two tweets on the left. The last of the tweets confirm the fact that people are over emphasising the truth at hand by calling Michelle a racism supporter because of her reading this book to children.
James Wilkinson. (30 September 2017). Trump fans hit out at Michelle Obama for reading 'racist' Dr Seuss books to kids while she was First Lady after school librarian rejected Melania's gift. Available: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4936302/Michelle-Obama-mocked-reading-racist-Dr-Seuss-books.html. Last accessed 2nd October 2017.
- Another article on the daily mail show that some feminists 'admit' that feminism has gone too far, 'Men are now the downtrodden sex: Feminist (and mother of a son) reluctantly admits women's fight for equality has gone too far - as two men reveal how they were pushed to the brink of suicide'. The feminist Cassie Jaye then proceeds to say 'I’ve had a growing sense of unease about what these achievements have meant for men. If, over the past half a century, women have been noisily smashing through glass ceilings in almost every field, then at the same time it seems as if men’s voices have been slowly drowned out.' This proves that she thinks it has gone too far and implies that its no longer about equality, but its about the woman's voice and rights being prominent. The image on the right was on the article showing how she feels men are being 'drowned out' and 'left behind'.
Linda Kelsey. (1 December 2016). Men are now the downtrodden sex: Feminist (and mother of a son) reluctantly admits women's fight for equality has gone too far - as two men reveal how they were pushed to the brink of suicide Read mo. Available: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3988030/As-provocative-film-argues-women-s-fight-equality-gone-far-emasculated-men-one-feminist-mother-son-reluctantly-admits-Men-downtrodden-sex.html. Last accessed 3rd October 2017.
- In this news article the author, Michael Rohrer writes about how he thinks that everybody is very easily offended. This is evident when he says 'Think of it like, “Well I never!” There was usually a dramatic intake of breath and a look of shock on the face, and then, with the perfect inflection, “I’m offended” was uttered.' which shows that he thinks that its very dramatic as well as stupid, he then follows this by saying 'The following quotation by Former Chief Justice William Rehnquist filled my TV screen and strongly resonated with me: “The fact that society may find speech offensive is not a sufficient reason for suppressing it.”' what proves the point we are trying to defeat that people should not so held back about what they say due to the fact that it offends someone. This completely relates to the 'Cotton Wool Generation'.
He then relates this all to social media (mostly twitter) when he says 'We offend each other. We say dumb things. We often don’t think before we speak or post or tweet. We aren’t concerned that our words might hurt people, and we seem unaware that those words might carry repercussions. We’ve lost our manners in an effort to get what we want, everyone else be damned.' this tweet implies that social media is a place where you can say whatever due to the fact that there is a sense of safety after saying offensive things, whereas after you gain these opinions you are not aloud to say that in person because it could have instant repercussions (fights, conflict) and these points define the 'Cotton Wool Generation'.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-rohrer/impolite-society-im-offen_b_4636731.html
Comedians that have faced backlash from offensive jokes (Lucas)
Many Comedians have been noticed to make offensive jokes more often now than in 2010. Some of those comedians include; Chelsea Handler, Louis C.K, Andrew Dice Clay, Lisa Lampanelli, Ari Shaffir, David Cross, Chris Morris, Tracy Morgan, Daniel Tosh, Michael Richards, Sarah Silverman, Jon Stewart, Frankie Boyle and Paul Mooney, Bill Maher. Lots of these comedians were offensive in the early 2000s, however were not challenged until 2011-2017
Chelsea Handler
"Handler says whatever is on her mind, and apparently her mind can be a vulgar, mean, and occasionally pretty racist place."
In 2011 Handler annoyed the whole of Serbia by "coming to the defense of Amy Winehouse, who the Serbian Defense Minister had called a “shame and disappointment.” In response, Handler read the statement aloud during an episode of her E! show, Chelsea Lately, and followed it up with, “Well, so is your country.”"
Louis C.K
"He reportedly had some problems after posting a series of “drunken” tweets about Sarah Palin that were rather explicit. And then in 2017, he stepped into controversy again by making some off-color comments about child molestation during his opening monologue as host on Saturday Night Live."
Andrew Dice Clay
"Andrew Dice Clay has such a history of explicit and profane material that he was banned from MTV in 1989 for reciting what he called “adult nursery rhymes” during the VMAs. The ban was lifted in 2011, but Clay hasn’t stopped being any less crude—apart from an appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show in 1990 when he broke down in tears in response to accusations of misogyny."
Lisa Lampanelli
"Known as “The Queen of Mean.” Lisa Lampanelli's stand-up routines are fixed around insulting as many people as possible, with Lampanelli making un-PC remarks about race and homosexuality. Lampanelli’s appearance on Celebrity Apprentice years ago wasn't without controversy, either. Though apologies were demanded of her, she refused to offer a mea culpa for using racial slurs during her stint on the series."
David Cross
"David Cross received significant positive attention for his hilarious portrayal of Tobias Fünke on the beloved Arrested Development. It was a big change from the criticism he’s received for his stand-up. The comic has no problem with working rough chuckles out of subjects like misogyny and religion—specifically the Catholic church. He also made headlines after claiming to have done coke at the White House during the Correspondents' Dinner in 2009."
Chelsea Handler
"Handler says whatever is on her mind, and apparently her mind can be a vulgar, mean, and occasionally pretty racist place."
In 2011 Handler annoyed the whole of Serbia by "coming to the defense of Amy Winehouse, who the Serbian Defense Minister had called a “shame and disappointment.” In response, Handler read the statement aloud during an episode of her E! show, Chelsea Lately, and followed it up with, “Well, so is your country.”"
Louis C.K
"He reportedly had some problems after posting a series of “drunken” tweets about Sarah Palin that were rather explicit. And then in 2017, he stepped into controversy again by making some off-color comments about child molestation during his opening monologue as host on Saturday Night Live."
Andrew Dice Clay
"Andrew Dice Clay has such a history of explicit and profane material that he was banned from MTV in 1989 for reciting what he called “adult nursery rhymes” during the VMAs. The ban was lifted in 2011, but Clay hasn’t stopped being any less crude—apart from an appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show in 1990 when he broke down in tears in response to accusations of misogyny."
Lisa Lampanelli
"Known as “The Queen of Mean.” Lisa Lampanelli's stand-up routines are fixed around insulting as many people as possible, with Lampanelli making un-PC remarks about race and homosexuality. Lampanelli’s appearance on Celebrity Apprentice years ago wasn't without controversy, either. Though apologies were demanded of her, she refused to offer a mea culpa for using racial slurs during her stint on the series."
David Cross
"David Cross received significant positive attention for his hilarious portrayal of Tobias Fünke on the beloved Arrested Development. It was a big change from the criticism he’s received for his stand-up. The comic has no problem with working rough chuckles out of subjects like misogyny and religion—specifically the Catholic church. He also made headlines after claiming to have done coke at the White House during the Correspondents' Dinner in 2009."
This was live footage on abc news just a week after 911 following his remarks he was fired almost immediately.
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Type of Documentary Research - Performative (Connor)
The way to structure a performative documentary is for the interviewer to ask questions that would draw raw emotion from the target individual. in this style of documentary both the interviewer and interviewee are filmed usually panning to the interviewer when the questions are asked and then quickly going back to the interviewee in order to show off the emotion that the question provoked. this style of documentary is being used because it is easier to establish what we are looking at and it gives us the ability to easily inform people of the topic due to the fact this style has more of a human touch to it as there is no voice of god.
Songs of The Generation to Use (Connor)
Ed Sheeran -Thinking Out Loud
Coldplay - Viva La Vida
Avelino (feat. Stormzy & Skepta) - Energy
Adele - Rolling in the Deep
The Kooks - Naive
Lily Allen - Smile
Arctic Monkeys - Do I Wanna Know?
Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars
Bastille - Pompeii
Rag'n'Bone Man - Human
Kaiser Chiefs - Ruby
MIKA - Grace Kelly
Coldplay - Viva La Vida
Avelino (feat. Stormzy & Skepta) - Energy
Adele - Rolling in the Deep
The Kooks - Naive
Lily Allen - Smile
Arctic Monkeys - Do I Wanna Know?
Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars
Bastille - Pompeii
Rag'n'Bone Man - Human
Kaiser Chiefs - Ruby
MIKA - Grace Kelly
Primary Research
Primary Research Results
Infographic
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Pitch Presentation
Pitch
Evaluation
Overall, I think the Pitch went well considering it was our first attempt at one. For example, none of us relied heavily on the powerpoint due to the fact that we all had done the relevant research for the part of the pitch we were presenting; this can be seen in our responses to the questions asked by Adam at the end of the pitch, that i believe were well thought out and showed extensive knowledge into our chosen topic.
However, based on Adam's feedback, for the next pitch we should make our powerpoint more interesting visually as it was quite bland and mainly text based, even though we used what was on the powerpoint as a foundation and built upon it in our own words. I would also aim to interact with the audience in the next presentation, in regards to asking them questions or their opinions on certain facts. Meaning that as a result - when combined with a more visually attractive powerpoint - the pitch would be more interesting. Despite it being obvious that two aspects should be improved for the next pitch; personally I think that for a first attempt at presenting an idea to the class, it was all in all quite strong.
Overall, I think the Pitch went well considering it was our first attempt at one. For example, none of us relied heavily on the powerpoint due to the fact that we all had done the relevant research for the part of the pitch we were presenting; this can be seen in our responses to the questions asked by Adam at the end of the pitch, that i believe were well thought out and showed extensive knowledge into our chosen topic.
However, based on Adam's feedback, for the next pitch we should make our powerpoint more interesting visually as it was quite bland and mainly text based, even though we used what was on the powerpoint as a foundation and built upon it in our own words. I would also aim to interact with the audience in the next presentation, in regards to asking them questions or their opinions on certain facts. Meaning that as a result - when combined with a more visually attractive powerpoint - the pitch would be more interesting. Despite it being obvious that two aspects should be improved for the next pitch; personally I think that for a first attempt at presenting an idea to the class, it was all in all quite strong.
Location Recces
Script (Charlie and Jordan)
Questions (Jordan)
Plan (Connor)
Production Schedule (Charlie)
Archive Footage
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