Snapchat Racism
Snapchat is seen as a normal everyday routine and method of communication for a crazy 150 million daily users. However the app is also constantly criticised and seen by many as an unsafe and offensive place with a quote saying the platform was "Hurtful and Uncomfortable"
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One of the apps key features is that with effects a filter effect can change your face into various different things. For example the most well known look of snapchat is probably the dog filter a simple effect that projects ears and a tongue onto you.
(Image Below) These filters are often used in a fun way and just make a selfie a bit more exciting.
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The problems with Filters?
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There are man. problems with the filters however ones that stand out are of course the racism criticism.
New filters have constantly come out and instantly faced backlash for being very stereotypical and possibly racist.
Snapchat released a “Bob Marley” filter. The digital mask effect edited a knit cap and dreadlocks on users, while also darkening their skin. These where considered very stereotypical Caribbean features and accessories and therefor offensive.
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Snapchat withdrew the filter and said it launched the software in partnership with the Bob Marley Estate.
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But possibly the worst one of the lot was when a Asian looking cartoon was aloud to be used in the face merging filter. (A very popular feature that for fun allows you merge faces with other photos. The photo was posted online and Snapchat faced extreme backlash with many calling for the safety to be improved to prevent possible sensitive problems happening again.
The response Snapchat gave: “This anime-inspired lens has already expired and won’t be put back into circulation,” it said. “Lenses are meant to be playful and never to offend.”
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Media Theories
CODES AND CONVENTIONS OF SHORT FILMS
To understand what is needed to make a brilliant high standard short film I researched some of the techniques and styles I could implement into my short film. I found the perfect summary of everything needed in a short film at https://naomishortfilm.wordpress.com
Length
Short films usually have a duration of 3-20 mins; however, the length varies some film festivals and competitions do allow longer and there have been some well know short film that are around 40 mins left.
Script & storyline
The script must be kept simple and easy to follow. It has to be like this as its based over such a short amount of time. The narrative is usually condensed and there will be limited dialogue. Instead characters will be developed through images and actions rather than extended and lengthy dialogue sequences.
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Character
Due to the length and simplicity in storyline, a short film will usually only have between 1 and 3 main characters as creating back stories and developing characters is again limited. This is also done in order to keep the audience engaged and be able to follow the storyline without being bombarded with information and new people. Short films will usually last only long enough to connect the audience to few characters and will not have a developed enough storyline to hold a large cast.
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Twist
Including a twist is a common convention in short film although this is not a general rule and not all short films will use this format. However, a twist allows the film maker to tell a short story in an interesting way and they are able to do this as the short storyline gives less clues to the ending.
Creativity
Overall short films allow for much more creativity and abstraction. They will often be made up of a number of creative shots and soundtrack making up an artistic and sometimes quirky piece. The director or film maker are able to use more creative flair placing their own signature look on the piece as there is less pressure to make a profitable film for a large audience. Well established directors such as Martin Scorsese, Spike Jones and Tim Burton, make short film despite their popularity and success in mainstream for these reasons.
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Budget
Budgets for short film are usually quite low. Short films are unlikely to make any money which effects the amount spent in the making and they are often made by first time film makers or experimental artists and film makers with no or little funding. This effect the overall look of the film creating a more home made or arty look. There are exceptions of this however where a film made on a low budget looks near professional and others which will have a large budget to spend on making.
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Niche Audience
Short films have a lot smaller and niche audience than mainstream due to the creative nature, length and simple storyline. Although largely accessible, many are not aware of short film. This is largely due to popularity decreasing through the 30’s onwards, and the limited access in mainstream forms such as prime time television and cinema. Short film also varies in genre and style and will appeal to a much more specific audience.
Emotion
Short films are used to convey a strong emotion to the viewer whether this is laughter, pleasure, sadness or anger, sometimes making comments on morals or society in the process. Short films can be a lot more powerful in this way as it is easy to make something appear differently to how it is or to get the audience thinking about a particular topic without having the time to make up their minds while watching, leaving them to contemplate after the film has finished. There will also usually be a stronger connection to the characters as they are shown closely throughout, with the creativity allowing for more humour and pleasure.
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Online distribution
Unlike mainstream film, short films are largely accessible for free through the internet. There are many sites who distribute short films online from independent to established sites such as the BBC. This is the easiest and most effective way for short film to reach audiences as they are very rarely shown at cinemas or on television. DVDs can be brought with selections of short films on; however, they are most widely accessed over the web. As short film is based much more on creativity and expression rather than mainstream and profit, it is much more important for the film maker to reach a wide audience and distribute films to them for free.
Opposition to mainstream
All of these codes and conventions largely make short film in opposition to mainstream. They hold a very different format and style to each other and short film will usually try to give audiences a different outlet of film to the mainstream.