Film Classification

Film classification is ultimately what we are aloud and not aloud to watch depending upon our age and the age on which the film is classified as (U, PG, 12, 12A, 15, 18). BBFC or otherwise known as The British Board of Film Classification is a non-government organization, which was founded in 1912 by the film industry and those are the ones who are responsible for the age ratings on films.

The BBFC have 2 main principals that they must follow:
1) To protect children and vulnerable adults from potentially harmful or otherwise unsuitable content.
2) To empower consumers, usually parents and those who are responsible for children to make informed viewing decisions.
Not only is there the BBFC but there is also a second called CBBFC this is designed to ultimately give children information on the age ratings in the UK.
Another thing is that film makers have to ensure and take a lot of things on board before they even start the film is that what they may want to put or would like in there film is appropriate at all , for instance without going into to much detail and offending anyone, that religion can be very hard to understand and for the people in that culture that's normal for them but for outsiders things that are done or portrayed in a certain way can offend them, so film makers have to be careful that they don't' over step the line and take the mick out of things that people believe in.

Certificate U:

BBFC will allow some but not frequent mild swearing such as 'Damn' or 'Hell'

The characters within the film can be seen kissing and/or cuddling but nothing OTT, if you know what I mean.

Below is a film that is classified as a 'U'.

The violence side of things will be mild, although it can include fight scenes where characters are placed in danger but will quickly resolve in the outcome being that they survive or win.

References are made to illegal drugs demonstrating that they are bad or even educational messages within the film which can be understood by the younger audience watching at home.

Certificate PG:

PG films do not contain a theme inappropriate for children. Although they explore challenging issues that themselves may have encountered such as bullying, death or racism.

It may contain some bad language such as 'S***' or 'Son of a b****' in a PG film but how they deliver it is important.

References to Sex is highly unlikey unless they are not detailed at all. In addition, if a child is unlikely to understand what was said then it may pass and be allowed in the film. The use comedy however will soften the blow of the sex reference.  

Violence will also be usually mild. There would be no detail of violence, so while there may be blood to indicate injury there wont be bones sticking of the skin or dislocated arms.

Here is a film with it's classification rated as a a 'PG'

Certificate 12 and 12A:

Having a 12A certificate indicates there must be adult supervision usually within cinemas, however on DVDs the 12 certificate is still used rather than the 12A. 

Bad language such as 'F***' may be passed at 12 or 12A but it all depends in what manner it was used in. There are some allowance for moderate language too such as 'B****' or 'T***', but again it's how its portrayed determines whether or not it's moved form a certificate 12 to to a certificate 15.

 

Here is a film below with it's classification of a certificate of '12'.

Below is a film with it's classification of a '12A'

Certificate 15:

No theme is prohibited, although it must still be appropriate for the specified age group.

Things that most likely will occur in certificate 15 films are: strong language, strong violence, the portraying of sexual activity and sex references also including nudity, brief scenes of sexual violence, discrimination and or discriminating language and drug taking.

Below is a film that is classified as a '15'

Certificate 18:

Basically you can watch what you want, your an adult now fend for yourself and deal with consequences of your own actions. Although some themes may still be inappropriate for or offensive to anyone over 18. 

What can be seen in an 18 film is: Very strong language, strong sexual activity and scenes of sexual violence and in some cases real sex scenes, there is also strong blood and gore and strong horror.

Below is a film that is classified as an '18'

As an AS media student I must consider who my target audience is when we produce our own films because ultimately I will need to decide which certificate i will need to have on my film. We then need to make sure that the audience we show the film to fits their age rating otherwise they will be exposed to what could be dangerous or harmful material.

My next post will be all to do with Todorov's Narrative Theory.