LO4: certificate classification

The British board of film classification deals with the regulation of all film products, they are given a rating based on the content they contain whether that be strong language , violence , sex or drugs. These products are based on a scale of ratings from U - 18. These are determined by a set of standards which are scrutinised over as to ensure no product is falsely classified which could potentially lead to harmful material being shown to an impressionable audience. Below are the age ratings which can be given to a media product and what they must not contain as a result:

Universal:

• A U film must be suitable for audiences aged over 4, this can be particularly difficult to regulate however as it is dependent on each individual child as to what may or may not upset them
• A U film must be based around a 'positive framework' which often is a moral conclusion to a disequilibrium , aimed at teaching children a lesson in life - any physical violence, horror or crime must be met with a reassuring counterbalance.
• Aspects such as strong language would not be present , with only infrequent cases of mild bad language should be used. There should be little reference to sex or nudity and if so it should be innocuous as with drink and drugs to suit the preschool aged audience.
• Children are highly impressionable therefore imitable behaviour must not put children at risk and should be shown to be clearly disapproved of.

PG:

• A parental guidance film is aimed at an older child therefore should no way cause upset or worry to a child aged around 8. It is at the discretion of the parents to let a child watch a PG films as there may be some scenes which could be potentially distressing to some children.
• Children are allowed to watch these films unsupervised however parents are advised to regulate their own children viewing habits based on their emotional competency.
• Sexual activity may be implied but not shown outright as with nudity. Mild language may be used however not frequently as this could result in the film being classified as a higher age rating
• Some scenes of violence or threat to the main character may be present however should not be prolonged for more than necessary (this is dependent on the context and genre of the film however)

12/12A:

• A 12 film isn't suitable for an audience under this age however a 12A film could be potentially based on the views of the parents - this means that they have the authority to let their child watch the film in cinemas as long as they are accompanied by an adult - this is common with series films such as Star Wars , Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings franchises as they are aimed at growing with the child however are based on fantasy which is a popular genre with children.
• There may be scenes of drug usage however should in no way glorify the usage or give instructional detail on how to prescribe them.
• Moderate language and sexual references would be accepted however should not be over dwelled upon however intentional , frequent crime gestures may be rejected and classified at 15.

15:

• Nobody younger than 15 is able to view a film of this classification within a cinema with or without parental consent , it is an offence to purchase and supply media to a child of this under this age regardless of the circumstances.
• Drug usage may be shown however should not endorse drug abuse in anyway, sexual content may be referenced and shown however shouldn't be shown in detail - there may however be nudity in context especially if the product is educational.
• There may be strong language and in some cases very strong language however this should not be frequent.
• Dangerous and imitable behaviour such as suicide , self harming or hanging must not dwell on detail or be instruction as with drug usage.

18:

• An 18 film is strictly only suitable for adult audiences.
• Adults are free to choose their own entertainment therefore violence , drug abuse , sex , nudity and strong language can be used throughout however it should be reflected upon by the viewer as to whether they think the content is suitable for them
• Any strong scenes of sex may be regulated to an R18 which connotes that there are very strong images of sex within , these are often included in sex works such as pornography.

R18:

• R18 films are only to be shown in specially licensed cinemas or supplied to licence sex stores.

Due to my film being a documentary it is unlikely that there is going to be any content within it which would be unsuitable for a younger audience. There are no scenes of violence , sex or use of strong language as the videography is for documentary and educational purposes only. Should my film be sent for classification by the BBFC I am to believe that it would return as a U as there is no content which would mean that it could be placed into any of these higher ratings. Should I have created a horror or thriller film , it would be likely that it would have to be classified around a 15 due to potential mature themes. Some documentaries can be regulated differently depending on the nature of the subject they are talking about , for example a documentary on crime may be classified as a 15 or even shown after watershed as a way of ensuring younger more impressionable audiences aren't watching.