Standards
Physical Regards
In regards to the theme of sexuality, Inspiration Studios has specific guidelines in place for each film. There are several areas of a sexual nature that are important to keep and educate. Other areas are considered base and not allowed.
Some sexual development will be used to further the storyline and create characters, but not visualized, graphically enhanced, or adapted into humor. Sexual orientation will be shown through professional and appropriate measures. Sexual acts and practices will not be shown or enhanced through the artistic form or for communication. It is possible that some of the more explicit topics may be touched upon for the storyline, but only the lighter issues of flirting and kissing may be used as needed.
Cultural aspects dealing with sexuality may be in the storyline as necessary, but will not be enhanced or shown in the film. Any sexual identification necessary will be shown tastefully and appropriately. Negative devices of sexuality may be used as the plot progresses or to describe a character, but they will not be shown in a positive light, encouraged, enhanced or misconstrued. Inspiration will place a limited amount of time on these aspects and will follow with a positive solution.
Sexually transmitted diseases may be discussed, but with a positive educational value. Other related sexual issues may be possible topics and can be used as necessary with a moral structure of education and positive societal construction.
Inspiration would like its cast members to appear attractive in their costume choices, yet appropriate with these articles so that the undergarments are hidden and the clothes do not lead the eye toward the areas the undergarment covers up.
Very rarely may it be necessary for a major plot point to focus on something that is not meant for a character to see. Such shots, however, will never focus specifically on the male and female lower regions, nor the front section of the female body. Inspiration may focus on a male or female in less-then-usual clothing for purposes of establishing character or storyline (i.e. swimsuits, bathrobes, gym clothes, sports attire, costumes).
Inspiration will not allow full frontal, rear, or partial nudity or sex scenes.
Violence
Inspiration addresses the problem of violence as defined in the World report on violence and health (WRVH), namely:
"the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment, or deprivation."
The WRVH also presents a typology of violence that, while not uniformly accepted, can be a useful way to understand the contexts in which violence occurs and the interactions between types of violence. This typology distinguishes four modes in which violence may be inflicted: physical; sexual; and psychological attack; and deprivation. It further divides the general definition of violence into three sub-types according to the victim-perpetrator relationship.
Self-directed violence refers to violence in which the perpetrator and the victim are the same individual and is subdivided into self-abuse and suicide. Such concepts used in Inspiration productions will only be underlying tones and storylines. Showing these and similar situations will not be allowed.
Interpersonal violence refers to violence between individuals, and is subdivided into family and intimate partner violence and community violence. The former category includes child maltreatment; intimate partner violence; and elder abuse, while the latter is broken down into acquaintance and stranger violence and includes youth violence; assault by strangers; violence related to property crimes; and violence in workplaces and other institutions. These practices will be severely scrutinized by Inspiration and used with examples as necessary to further plot and character structure, with a positive response and conclusion that is appropriate and apologetic, gaining approval from all person(s) involved.
Collective violence refers to violence committed by larger groups of individuals and can be subdivided into social, political and economic violence. Such violence structure may be common in most storylines, however, each situation will be monitored and adjusted to focus on the correcting of the situation.
Each section of violence will be a concern to Inspiration with the messages that are delivered from the films made. Mild levels of violence may be necessary to maintain some storylines and character development, but Inspiration’s goal is to use these storylines as development and not a main concept.
Language
Although contextual differences and density inevitably affect perceptions of severity, the topography of bad language exists across all groups in a broadly consistent manner. Inspiration Studios will remain guarded against such language and material. The rules regarding the following list of “bad language offenders” follow.
Racial Abuse
Directive Abuse
Abuse of Minorities
Sexual References
Adjectival
Expletives
Blasphemy
Abbreviations
Black Americanism
Puns
Double Entendres
Rhyming
Baby Talk
Inspiration Studios will maintain a high level of integrity of language throughout the film.
Such items of interest in the areas of baby talk, rhyming, double entendres and puns will not be strategically placed to attract specific audiences for a film aimed at another specific target. No “hidden meanings” will be placed to cover what a specific age group does not or should not understand.
Black Americanism will be applied to characters that represent its history and society. However, specific words and phrases will not violate the boundaries of racial, sexual or directive abuses.
Abbreviations will be applied only as necessary to carry the integrity of the storyline and life of the fictional characters. Blasphemy in all areas is forbidden and will not be used.
Expletives that are illegal by the FCC for mainstream television will not be used. Other expletives that are legal will be specifically determined as necessary by Inspiration and only to maintain the integrity of the storyline and Inspiration’s high standards.
Adjectival expletives that are illegal by the FCC for mainstream television will not be used. Other expletives that are legal will be specifically determined as necessary by Inspiration and only to maintain the integrity of the storyline and Inspiration’s high standards.
Sexual references will specifically be dealt with separately.
Abuse of minorities is allowed to a lessened degree. It is common for societal structures to digress toward those groups they feel are inferior. In this, the language is specifically negative. In order to follow the correct character map, Inspiration may choose to use some language that would be considered to be abuse of minorities, but no such language will be approved that violates the other major language barriers on this list.
Directive abuse that is illegal by the FCC for mainstream television will not be used. Other expletives that are legal will be specifically determined as necessary by Inspiration and only to maintain the integrity of the storyline and Inspiration’s high standards.
Racial abuse is allowed only to a degree that a) connects major themes of the plot, b) are focused upon, and then corrected in a positive outline, and c) are not outrageous. It is common for societal structures to digress toward those groups they feel are inferior. In this, the language is specifically negative. In order to follow the correct character map, Inspiration may choose to use some language that would be considered to be abuse of minorities, but no such language will be approved that violates the other major language barriers on this list.
Family
Most Inspiration films should be appropriate for viewing by a person of any age. Occasionally, there will be the use of words or phrases that edge closer to obscene, but they will not be coarse or “cuss”. There will be restrained portrayals of limited violence which may result in extremely limited blood.
There will be limited embracing moments between characters. Kissing will be directed toward a loving environment. There may also be brief moments of mild horror in comedic, historic or fantasy settings. Inspiration will be sensitive toward the treatment of situations related to a child’s sense of security and well-being.
Parental Guidance
Some Inspirational films may require an exercise in permitting a child to view the film. These films may contain stronger language, not allowing the coarse or “cuss” words to be present. There may be restrained portrayals of embracing, mild sexual innuendo, and horror.
Parents should be sensitive to the situations that include frightening or emotionally upsetting situations that involve threats, injury, illness, family problems or death.
