My research project, ‘to what extent has the Film & TV industry commercialised LGBT+ representation into brand image and marketing?’

A brief summary of my research project, concerning LGBT+ representation in Film & TV. I kindly ask anyone interested to complete a short survey, regarding your perception of LGBT+ representation in Film & TV today (attached at my website in bio, and below)
My research project, ‘to what extent has the Film & TV industry commercialised LGBT+ representation into brand image and marketing?’
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Throughout history, LGBT+ demographics have been under-represented across the Film & TV landscape. My research project will aim to demystify and shed some certainties upon the constantly changing attitudes towards LGBT+ representation in Film & TV.

To help me answer such questions with an informed and focused method, my research will focus upon LGBT+ representation from an industry perspective - particularly regarding the commercialisation of LGBT+ representation.

This led me to pose my title question as, ‘to what extent has the Film & TV industry commercialised LGBT+ representation into brand image and marketing?’

To begin my project, I will gauge the audience perception of LGBT+ representation in Film & TV today. I will employ online surveys for a mass representative response. This survey is now attached below, at the website in my bio. I would very much appreciate your answers. It only takes 5 minutes to complete, and is completely anonymous.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAFVmOiEnhdLux7sGh-IS-vsTjCWDJIL5MzBz5Qiu9HXhXRA/viewform?usp=sf_link

To focus such a large topic into more detailed analysis, my research will centre around the LGBT+ representation of the BBC and the Walt Disney Company.

At first thought, both these media corporations seem binary opposites. The BBC is a British national pride and a public service broadcaster. While Disney is a profit driven multibillion dollar American corporation.

In fact, both companies operate in film, broadcast television, streaming, and licensing. Each company operates extensively in the US and UK, and work together symbiotically. They are separated in age by only 2 years (the BBC at 100, and Disney at 98). And both pride themselves on being a fundamental force for good.

Each company is also experiencing a cultural dilemma, stemming from their respective approach to LGBT+ representation, and mismanagement of such issues.

I will also reference the wealth of LGBT+ representation data collated by GLAAD throughout my project. GLAAD is an international charity which champions positive media LGBT+ representation, from journalism, to comics, to Film & TV. 

LGBT+ representation in Film & TV is a  very important and current topic to explore - one that requires extreme detail and truth. It is important to myself, and wider communities, that this research is completed to a very high standard.

 I will also examine how the media industry itself regards changing on-screen LGBT+ representation. I will contact appropriate industry professionals for interview about how the industry, and themselves, approach LGBT+ representation today. Executives from the BBC, Disney and GLAAD will be contacted for contribution.

My research project will be a comprehensive account detailing the past, present, and future of LGBT+ representation in Film & TV, through many intriguing and surprising perspectives. Wether LGBT+ representation has been exploited by big business for financial gain, remains to be seen.

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