FCC bad word???

[David Johnson]

Believe it or not, the FCC doesn’t necessarily “ban” specific words from TV per se … it is essentially the first line of defense in enforcing obscenity laws that are really enforced by the legal system. It’s role is to keep broadcasters reasonably in line via threats to suspend or revoke licenses. So, in a practical sense, it’s more the broadcasters’ fear of losing advertisers that keeps them relatively clean than it is the FCC.

That said, although I am not an attorney, I seriously doubt that “damn” would break any obscenity laws, which in general terms, consider things like:
community standards (specific market the broadcast is in)
time of day (less strict guidelines during late-night hours))
sexual explicitness (self-explanatory)
context (literary value, etc.)

The bottom line is, it’s basically up to the broadcaster whether they want to allow the word “damn” in that context on their broadcast so you might double check with the Program Director of the station the program will air on, but it should be fine unless it’s in a children’s program.

[Walter Biscardi]

You need to have the broadcaster weigh in on this. It is their decision to make, not the caption company.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Editor, Colorist, Director, Writer, Consultant, Author, Chef.
HD Post and Production
Biscardi Creative Media

“Foul Water, Fiery Serpent” featuring Sigourney Weaver coming soon.

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[Steve Cohen]

Thanks for the info.
After posting this I did a little more searching and found this on the FCC website itself…

17. Further, we conclude that uses of the words
“Jesus,” “Jesus Christ,” “God,” “God damn” and its
variations, and “damn” and its variations, are not
actionable under section 1464 for the reasons set forth in
Raycom America, Inc., Memorandum Opinion and Order, 18 FCC
Rcd 4186 (2003).

I will consult with Lifetime, but I feel it is safe to airs.

Steve Cohen
Supervisor of Post Production
O2 Media Inc.

[David Johnson]

Thanks for sharing the info you found as well. Just a thought about it … “not actionable under section 1464” doesn’t mean not actionable under any other section of the law. That’s why it’s best to leave such calls to station/network officials and/or their attorneys.

[David Roth weiss]

The word “crap” is used in primetime all the time, and it doesn’t trigger the Cow’s moderation engine, so I gotta believe damn is fair game.

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles

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[Rafael Amador]

First I thought was a new version of Final Cut, but..sorry for my ignorance, what is FCC?
rafael

http://www.nagavideo.com

[Andy George]

Federal Communications Commission

-Andy

[John Pale]

Just call or e-mail the person in charge of standards and practices for the broadcaster you are delivering to. Ultimately it’s up to them. Some networks really like to push the envelope, others are unbelievably cautious.
They will usually be delighted you actually asked first before delivery.

[Craig Alan]

https://www.slashfilm.com/2009/12/05/movie-trailer-chris-rocks-death-at-a-funeral-remake/

Scroll down to movie trailer. “I was like, “Damn!,” aired (nationally, I think) on TV. I hear the phrase “You’re damn straight,” often. Granted, I’ve also heard the word “darn” used in its place.

I think you’re safe.

OSX 10.5.7; MAC Book PRO (EARLY 2008); Camcorders: Sony Z7U, Canon HV30, Sony vx2000/PD170, Canon xl2; Pana, Sony, and Canon consumer cams; FCP certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Mark Raudonis]

I’m reading this thread in disbelief.

How can you be delivering a final master WITHOUT having heard from somebody in standards and practices??? If you’re doing a commissioned work for a network, their S & P folks will have been involved from your first rough cut. (At least that’s my experience)

Something’s very wrong here.

mark