Bill Overview
Title: SCREEN Act
Description: The bill limits the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of State from providing technical support or access to DOD/State facilities or assets to U.S. firms producing or funding films. The limitation does not apply if the firm enters into a written agreement with DOD or State not to alter the content of the film in response to, or in anticipation of, a request from China or the Chinese Communist Party. The bill also prohibits U.S. government agencies from providing technical support or access to U.S. firms producing or funding films if the film is co-produced by an entity subject to Chinese government or Chinese Communist Party conditions on content.
Sponsors: Rep. Green, Mark E. [R-TN-7]
Target Audience
Population: Global Film Production and Funding Industry Workers
Estimated Size: 1200000
- The primary aim of the bill is to prevent U.S. film producers and funding firms from altering film content due to influence from China or the Chinese Communist Party.
- U.S. film production and funding companies, especially those relying on DOD and State for support, are directly impacted by the conditions set by this bill.
- The global film industry could also be indirectly impacted, as restrictions may influence global co-production dynamics, particularly involving Chinese entities.
Reasoning
- The SCREEN Act primarily impacts those in the U.S. film industry who engage with the DOD or State Department for technical support. Thus, the focus is on those film production companies and workers that are likely to be influenced by Chinese content requirements.
- The policy's budget is relatively small compared to the size of the American film industry, which means that not all individuals or companies will be affected directly. Only a subset, particularly those planning to work with or currently working with government support, will see a direct impact.
- Due to the policy's specific targets, expected impacts range across a spectrum: from negligible effects on independent artists who rarely interact with large studios or government departments, to more significant effects on larger studios and those regularly engaging with international markets including China.
Simulated Interviews
Film Producer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could make my job more difficult by limiting who we can partner with on a global scale.
- It might increase production costs if we lose access to DOD technical resources we've used in the past.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Film Director (New York, NY)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't foresee this policy affecting my work directly since I don't rely on Chinese partners or DOD support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Film Editor (Austin, TX)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The SCREEN Act could indirectly affect me if studios scale back projects aimed at Asian markets, resulting in less work.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Technical Advisor (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned as this could reduce the demand for my services with fewer films receiving government help.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Actor (Chicago, IL)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It might restrict some opportunities, but could lead to more creative freedom if films are not tailored for foreign markets like China.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Screenwriter (Seattle, WA)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't expect this policy to affect my work directly, as my scripts are primarily for domestic production companies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Film Student (Miami, FL)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's hard to predict as I'm just starting my career, but this could change the types of projects available when I'm ready to enter the industry.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Studio Executive (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could complicate international negotiations, but also liberate us from some foreign censorship pressures.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cultural Consultant (Boston, MA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My role might see changes, but cultural insight remains important, perhaps more now without a rigid censorship guideline.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
CEO of Major Film Studio (Hollywood, CA)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy causes concern as it impacts our strategic alliances; however, it may enhance creative autonomy domestically.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $700000)
Year 2: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $700000)
Year 3: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $700000)
Year 5: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $700000)
Year 10: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $700000)
Year 100: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $700000)
Key Considerations
- Strong reactions from the film industry could influence the effectiveness of the bill.
- The voluntary nature of the agreements to not alter film content as per the bill leaves room for interpretation and enforcement challenges.
- International relationships and perceptions regarding censorship may be affected, potentially impacting U.S. foreign policy.