‘What are the consequences of distributing and uploading films illegally,’ ‘Should things that are online be free?’, and ‘Should you do things just because they are technologically possible?’ are among the questions which young people are invited to consider in a new assembly resource designed to spark discussion about the ethics and impact of film piracy.
Created by the education charity Into Film, in partnership with The Industry Trust for Intellectual Property Awareness, the Intellectual Property Office and the Federation Against Copyright Theft, the resource - the full title of which is ‘Vin Diesel’s Socks: Have your say on film copyright and piracy’ - encourages students aged 14-19 to consider the consequences of downloading a film illegally and the impact of film piracy on the creative industries and creative individuals, including themselves. With a positive message aimed at steering young people towards legitimate content, it gives them information about where to download films legally, and how to protect their own work now and in the future, with guidance on Intellectual Property (IP) legislation and copyright.
The lively, interactive assembly is accompanied by a Powerpoint presentation featuring an entertaining yet thought-provoking, short film, made by young people with support from My Pockets production company, in which two puppets discuss who would ultimately fund Vin Diesel’s socks if people fail to pay to watch his films. It supports the recently launched Creative Content UK initiative and www.getitrightfromagenuinesite.com, and can be used to support the curricula of all four nations in areas including, among others, PSHE, Citizenship, Computing and ICT.
To accompany the resource, Into Film - which is supported by the BFI through Lottery funding – has come up with a list of fifteen recommended films for secondary which are ideal for encouraging young people to think about what the creative process is, why it should be nurtured, and the consequences of exploiting or stealing that work for your own purpose. Films – which include, among others, The Social Network, Big Eyes, Searching for Sugar Man, Me Earl and the Dying Girl and The Theory of Everything – are available free to order for all films with an Into Film Club.
To download the resource visit: www.intofilm.org/schools-resources To download the full list of recommended titles, or set up an Into Film Club for free access to thousands of films visit www.intofilm.org
‘Vin Diesel’s Socks: Have your say on film copyright and piracy’ is also available to download via the IPO’s newly launched www.crackingideas.com website, a unique web portal with curriculum linked resources for students from primary to higher education providing opportunities for teachers to introduce IP into the classroom.
