BBFC Guidelines Research

Abbie Shuttleworth

IntroductionI am researching into the guidelines for a 15 and 18 rated film. I will also be explaining why all the information is helpful when identifying the audience. I will find out what determines the difference between both of the ratings. I will also determine which I think would be best for my opening sequence.

Guidelines for rated 15Films that are rated 15 mean that anyone that is under the age of 15 are not able to view as it is not suitable. Rated 15’s usual have strong violence, frequent strong language, portrays of sexual activities, strong verbal references to sex, sexual nudity, brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence, discriminatory language or behaviour and drug taking.

HorrorStrong threat and menace are permitted unless

sadistic or sexualised.Imitable behaviourDangerous behaviour (for example, hanging,

suicide andself-harming) should not dwell on detail which

could becopied. Easily accessible weapons should not be

glamorised.

LanguageThere may be frequent use of strong language (for example,‘fuck’). The strongest terms (for example, ‘cunt’) may beacceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeateduse of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.NudityNudity may be allowed in a sexual context but withoutstrong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.

SexSexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail.

There may be strong verbal references to sexual

behaviour,

but the strongest references are unlikely to be

acceptable

unless justified by context. Works whose primary

purpose is

sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be

acceptable.

ThemeNo theme is prohibited,

provided the treatment is

appropriate for 15 year

olds.

Violence

Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the

infliction

of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are

unlikely to

be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence

is also

unlikely to be acceptable.

There may be detailed verbal references to sexual

violence

but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet

andhave a strong contextual justification.

BBFC say that ...

Guidelines for rated 18 For a film rated 18 it means that it is only suitable for age 18 and over. If you are under the age of 18 then it means you cannot view it in the cinema, rent or buy the film. Films that are rated 18 tend to have very strong violence, frequent strong language and/or very strong language, strong replicas of sexual activity, scenes of sexual violence, strong horror, strong blood and gore and discriminatory language and behaviour.

BBFC say that ...When is it not an 18?•where the material is in breach of the

criminal law, or has been created through the commission

of a criminal offence

• where material or

treatment appears to the

BBFC to

risk harm to individuals or,

through their behaviour,

to society – for example, any

detailed portrayal of

violent or dangerous acts, or

of illegal drug use,

which may cause harm to

public health or morals.

This may include portrayals

of sexual or sexualised

violence which might, for

example, eroticise or

endorse sexual assault

• where there are more explicit images of

sexual

activity which cannot be justified by context.

Such

images may be appropriate in ‘R18’ works,

and in

‘sex works’ would normally be confined

to that category

Conclusion In conclusion, looking at the different age guidelines I am planning for my opening sequence to be suitable for the age of 15. I think this is suitable as it might contain some strong language and a bit of violence. I don’t think rate 18 is suitable as I am not going to be containing too much gore, I don’t intend to use too much violence in the fact that it could be copied. All of this information is suitable when looking at target audiences as it can determine many things. For example if my opening sequence had too much gore then it could lower the profit as people of a younger age will not be able to view it.