Bill Overview
Title: SCRIPT Act
Description: This bill prohibits federal support for a U.S. company that alters political content in its motion pictures (e.g., movies and television shows) in response to or in anticipation of a request from China's government. Under this bill, political content is content relating to issues considered sensitive by the Chinese Communist Party or China's government, such as Taiwan or the Tiananmen Square massacre. To be eligible to receive federal support (e.g., a contract for production or access to a federally controlled asset) for a motion picture, a U.S. company must provide to the Department of State a list of motion pictures it has submitted to China's government for approval for dissemination during the reporting period (the previous 10 years or since this bill was enacted, whichever period is shorter). The U.S. company must also agree in writing to not (1) alter political content in its motion picture in response to or in anticipation of a request from China's government, or (2) coproduce the motion picture with an entity located in China that is subject to political content restrictions from China's government. A U.S. company that has taken such actions during the reporting period shall be prohibited from receiving federal support.
Sponsors: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Target Audience
Population: People globally impacted by changes in U.S. motion picture content due to the SCRIPT Act
Estimated Size: 15000000
- The global film industry is interconnected, with numerous companies either based in the U.S. or collaborating with U.S. firms.
- Many U.S. production companies seek the Chinese market for their films due to its large box office potential.
- The requirements within the bill imply that film content that previously may have been altered to appease Chinese governmental standards will no longer be eligible for federal support if altered.
- Changes in film content would indirectly affect global audiences, as they might experience less 'approved' content by the Chinese government.
- This might reduce the number of films or alter the type of films released globally if U.S. companies decide to not comply and forgo Chinese market access.
- Companies around the world that collaborate with U.S. companies potentially affected.
Reasoning
- The SCRIPT Act affects people primarily connected to the film industry, either directly (e.g., employees of film studios) or indirectly (e.g., audiences experiencing changes in content).
- Independent filmmakers may experience less impact since they rely less on Chinese markets, but could see opportunities if big studios reduce international collaboration.
- The policy mainly targets major studios inclined to adapt content to fit Chinese regulations; hence, its impact is concentrated within those entities.
- The cultural impact on audiences involves changes in available content and possibly a shift towards more locally-driven narratives.
- Economic impacts may include shifts in job market dynamics within the film industry due to changing revenue models.
- The number of individuals directly affected by the policy would be relatively small compared to those indirectly affected, allowing the budget to focus on specific support measures or industry subsidies.
Simulated Interviews
Screenwriter (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the SCRIPT Act might bring creative freedom back to screenwriters.
- It might limit the audience reach of my work, especially in China, but it could make our films more authentic.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Film Producer (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act adds a layer of complexity to production logistics.
- We might have to rethink market strategies and focus more on domestic audiences.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 9 |
Independent Filmmaker (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 27 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy doesn't directly affect me, but it might create a more level playing field.
- Mainstream companies may reduce focus on international markets, allowing indie producers new opportunities.
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 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Film Critic (Seattle, WA)
Age: 36 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The SCRIPT Act could ensure cultural authenticity in movies, which I value.
- However, the variety of films available might shrink.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Film Historian (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This might be a return to less politically influenced artistry.
- Tighter budgets may reduce the production quantity, impacting study material.
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 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cinema Manager (Chicago, IL)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The SCRIPT Act could influence box office revenues if less blockbuster content comes from China.
- Most moviegoers might not understand why their choices are limited.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Studio Technician (Austin, TX)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy might impact jobs if studios lose market share and cut costs.
- However, it could result in a return to more local productions, creating domestic job opportunities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Film Student (Miami, FL)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 17/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The SCRIPT Act encourages writing without constraints for markets like China.
- It could open up room for more diverse storytelling.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Cultural Anthropologist (Boston, MA)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a significant cultural shift that might help preserve U.S. cultural narratives undeformed by political influence.
- However, economic repercussions on the industry might curb overall cultural output.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Business Consultant (Nashville, TN)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The act may force companies to rethink global strategies, which is challenging.
- US companies might end up with a smaller slice of the international market.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $15000000)
Year 2: $8000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $14000000)
Year 3: $7500000 (Low: $3500000, High: $12000000)
Year 5: $7000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $10000000)
Year 10: $6000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $9000000)
Year 100: $5000000 (Low: $1000000, High: $8000000)
Key Considerations
- The extent to which major U.S. film companies decide to forgo the Chinese market.
- The potential for legal disputes over the definition and interpretation of 'political content'.
- The possible response from the Chinese market, including retaliation affecting other industries.