Research into Age Certificates and The BB - Miss Georgiou

Research into Age Certificates and The BBFC

I researched my evidence for Age certificates and the BBFC from the BBFC website or   http://www.bbfc.co.uk/ all relevant evidence for each of the age certificates was on this website and no other sources were used. 

BBFC is the British Board of Film Classification. The British Board of Film Classification is an independent, non-governmental body which has classified cinema films since it was set up in 1912 and videos/ DVDs since the Video Recordings Act was passed in 1984. It is important to the film industry in the way that it prevents the public from watching films that are not suppose to be watched by them depending on there age and suitable content for there age group. 

The BBFC play a massive role in the film industry as they are the decide on which rating the films should be before released into the cinema or on DVD. They do this by a special process for both of the release markets of films. 

Cinema - They were first set up to bring classification of film nationally in the cinema. They have the powers but they are restricted by local councils as they have the right of veto. Councils can pass films that the BBFC reject or ban films that the BBFC pass or even alter categories. Releases are classified by two or more examiners using the guidelines of the BBFC, they classified  films by looking at there issues such as discrimination, drugs, horror, imitable behavior, language, nudity, sex, sexual violence. Also they consider context and the impact of the work before making a decision on its certificate. 

Video - All video recordings offered for sale or by hire must be classified by the BBFC under the 1984 Video Recording Act. DVD releases are classified by one examiner following the same guidelines as above.  

In addition the BBFC are a non-profit organization, this is as they do not receive subsidies from the film industry or the government.      

U- Universal Rating

Universal rating films are suitable for ages 4 and above, they contain very mild language such as the word "Damn" or "Hell". Characters are allowed to kiss and hug there is strictly no sexual content as it is not suitable for this specific age group, aloud to explore most themes as long as the theme is suitable for a young audience. There messages contain positive morals and are completely anti-drugs. An example film of this age rating would be Cars 2 as it is a fun adventure movie which fills all of the category's of a U rated films. It contains funny jokes, positive messages and no uses of drugs.But also friendships. Other examples of U rated films by the BBFC would be The Smurfs and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.  

PG-Parental Guidance

They are films that are for general viewing and have been made for a young audience in mind but also are not generally for younger audience. They don't have to follow any particular themes but they can challenge particular things such as domestic violence, cannot contain illegal or anti social behavior also no smoking or drinking are not promoted to the audience or any other negative messages should not be apparent. Some bad language is allowed such as the word "shit". Sex references are acceptable if they are in a comic form. Weak violence is allowed but blood and how injury is created cannot be seen by the viewer. Jumpy Moments allowed with no threats. No ideas that can be potentially dangerous such as playing with electricity nor any showing easily acceptable weapons aren't over shown and only passing references to illegal drugs. An example of a PG rated film would be Johnny English which is a comic family film with very weak violence with not showing how injury is created has guns but they do not show shots going into people or blood. Other example of PG rated films would be Night at the Museum and Evan Almighty. 

 12 or 12A   

12 are for the viewing of anyone over the age of 12 and therefore do not need to be accompanied by an adult but are only used as a rating on DVDs. Whereas 12A are for under 12 who need to be accompanied by adult for viewing, which is the cinema rating. They are not recommended for very young children and is up to the adults judgement for whether it is suitable for a member of the younger audience to view. The 12A rating may contain strong language, very brief sexual scenes with some mild nudity that does not display detail and is discrete. Violence is allowed but no detail to be seen alike weapons easily available to members of the 12A viewing cannot be seen. Sexual Violence is allowed but once again must be brief and be justified. Horrors are allowed at this film rating but under strict conditions must be mild and no disturbing all allowed as they could be damaging to the audience viewing. But dangerous behavior is permitted such as committing suicide if reasoned and maybe sight of drugs that are not glamorized. An example of a 12/12A rated film would be The Woman In Black the film comes under the thriller genre and at this certificate would be the lowest for that particular genre it shows no threat to the audience that would be damaging but does show 3 girls committing suicide by jumping out of the window. No injury are shown just a loud shrewish from a woman. Other examples of 12A rated films would be GI Joe and After Earth.

15 Certificate

No one under the age of 15 is allowed to view this certificate film. 15's can include a variety of things such as strong violence, strong language  partial sexual activity, verbal references to sex, some nudity, brief scenes of sexual violence, some discriminating language, and some drug taking. Sexual Activity Portrayed must have no detail, the scene can be long in length and can have movement with strong references. Violence is allowed but should not consider or show pain or injury created by showing gory images. Sexual Violence allowed and can be detailed and also weapons easily accessible not glamorized. Most Horror films are rated at 15 Certificate they are allowed to have a strong threat and violence but no gory images are allowed. Alike self harming allowed but not in detail. Drug taking may be shown but not to encourage use or misuse. Substances easily available not shown. An example of a 15 certificate would be I Am Legend. This is as it contains strong violence pain or close ups of gory are not seen. Also contains some disturbing scenes throughout the film such as the zombie dog seen that may upset underage viewers. Other examples of 15 rated films would be The Dark Knight and Die Hard.

18 Certificate

Not for the viewing of anyone under the age of 18. It is a a leap from 15 as it lets go of all boundaries. 18's can show very strong violence, very frequent strong language, strong sexual activity, scenes of sexual violence, strong horror, strong blood and gore, real sex and finally discriminatory behavior and language. Strong language used can be aggressive with use of racist, homophobic comments that can be made by main characters. Full Nudity is allowed with real sex although it has to be justified. Clear uncensored images can be shown with detail with strong flesh materiel. In addition sex education films are allowed as well. Strong Violence can show gore and pain. Strong horrors are usually placed in this category usually ones that pass the boundaries of 15's. Drug Taking can be shown but cannot be promoted. And lastly self harm can be shown but criminal behavior that could cause harm to audience is cut. An example of an 18 rated film would be Saw as it shows very strong violence with very gore scenes also in come cases drug taking is shown with the aid of self harm due to certain traps. Other examples of 18 rated films would be Wanted and Sinister. 

My Narrative Rating

Considering the narrative of my idea of a female victim being killed by a household objects which are easily accessible by younger audiences but also showing strong violence with pain an blood I would have to rate my narrative at a 18 Certificate as the lower boundary 15 is not allowed to show pain and how injury was created by the killer. My narrative would be suitable for the above 18 audience as they can easily understand what is happening and would not replicate it in real life whereas if I were to place it at a 15 certificate they may see the weapon as an easily accessible weapon and may not be old enough to understand the damages that such an offensive weapon can create and also maybe disturbed by the images they are viewing.