The British board of film classification is important to the film industry as it protects the viewers so that they don't get offended or scared. The certificates on the film are what the BBFC believe to be the appropriate to what ages, the classification for this are U, PG, 12, 12A, 15, 18, R18.
The first of these is U, this is usually were there is minimal violence no use of drugs, all scar sequences that relate to horror should be mild and unlikely to scare children and the outcome should be reassuring. There should be no dangerous behavior which could influence children to copy or any relation to realistic or easily accessible weapons. The language within the film is usually infrequent use only of very mild basic bad language. There should only be natural nudity that only comes occasionally and there should be no sexual context. There should only be mild sexual behavior e.g kissing. The themes included may seem problematic but the appliance must be sensitive and appropriate for the classification.
The next in line is PG, the discrimination language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless it is clearly disapproved of or unless it is used in an educational or historical context. Discrimination by a character which children can relate to or identify is unlikely to be acceptable. use of drugs or reference to illegal drugs must be innocuous and must carry an anti-drug message. The horror involved should not be prolonged or intense, there must be no detail of potentially dangerous behavior which young children are likely to copy. The language used should be mild language only all nudity involved should be natural whit no sexual context. All sexual activity my be implied, but must be discreet and infrequent only mild sex references and innuendo's only. The theme should not implement or condone any unacceptable behavior. Any violence put into the film should be moderate without detail may be allowed if in context.
Next is 12/12A, 12A only exists in the cinema, meaning no one under the age of 12 can attend unless accompanied by an adult and allow the children to attend on their judgement that the film will be suitable for the children. 12 category comes in when the film comes out on DVD and no one younger than 12 may rent or buy the dvd. Discriminatory language or behavior must be endorsed by the work as a whole. Any aggressive language or behavior is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly condemned. Any drug use or misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorized. Any horror involved such as disturbing sequences must be infrequent however moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted. Any dangerous behaviour should not be in detail or implement anyone to try it at home or in any other environment, easily accessible weapons should also not be made glamorous. Moderate language is allowed throughout the film however strong language must be brief and infrequent. Nudity is allowed but in any sexual relation it must be brief and discreet. Mature themes are acceptable but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers relevant to the certificate. Any moderate violence is allowed but should not be emphasised in detail any sexual violence must be brief also.
15 follows with no one allowed to view or buy/rent the dvd or video under the age of 15. Overall the film must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour. Any drugs included must not be emphasised or glamorised to promote the use of drugs and the use of any easily accessible drugs is likely to be unacceptable in the film. The horror included may be strong threat and menace unless it is sadistic or sexualised. Dangerous behaviour included in the film should not dweel on the detail which may allow it to be copied and easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised. During the film there may be frequent use of strong language and the strongest terms may be acceptable if justified, aggressive or repeated use of the strongest terms will most likely be classed as unacceptable. Any nudity is permitted however sexual context should not be used or filmed in strong detail. Sexual activity may be shown but not into to much detail, there may also be strong verbal references to the sexual behaviour but unless justified the strongest terms may be unacceptable. No theme is prohibited as long as the film meets the certificates age limitation. Any violence involved may be strong but should not dwell on any injury or pain, the strongest gory images or scenes are most likely to be unacceptable.
18 is next and this is when no one under the age of 18 is allowed to view the film in the cinema or buy/rent it in the shops etc. Also in line with the consistent findings of the BBFC’s public consultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, at 18 the BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally override the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas: 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. In the case of video works (including video games), which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent than for cinema films. Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safer sex and health, explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted. Sex works are works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation. Sex works containing only material which may be simulated are generally passed 18. Sex works containing clear images of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit animated images, or other very strong sexual images will be confined to the R18 category. Material which is unacceptable in a sex work at R18 is also unacceptable in a sex work at 18.
Next is 12/12A, 12A only exists in the cinema, meaning no one under the age of 12 can attend unless accompanied by an adult and allow the children to attend on their judgement that the film will be suitable for the children. 12 category comes in when the film comes out on DVD and no one younger than 12 may rent or buy the dvd. Discriminatory language or behavior must be endorsed by the work as a whole. Any aggressive language or behavior is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly condemned. Any drug use or misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorized. Any horror involved such as disturbing sequences must be infrequent however moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted. Any dangerous behaviour should not be in detail or implement anyone to try it at home or in any other environment, easily accessible weapons should also not be made glamorous. Moderate language is allowed throughout the film however strong language must be brief and infrequent. Nudity is allowed but in any sexual relation it must be brief and discreet. Mature themes are acceptable but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers relevant to the certificate. Any moderate violence is allowed but should not be emphasised in detail any sexual violence must be brief also.
15 follows with no one allowed to view or buy/rent the dvd or video under the age of 15. Overall the film must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour. Any drugs included must not be emphasised or glamorised to promote the use of drugs and the use of any easily accessible drugs is likely to be unacceptable in the film. The horror included may be strong threat and menace unless it is sadistic or sexualised. Dangerous behaviour included in the film should not dweel on the detail which may allow it to be copied and easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised. During the film there may be frequent use of strong language and the strongest terms may be acceptable if justified, aggressive or repeated use of the strongest terms will most likely be classed as unacceptable. Any nudity is permitted however sexual context should not be used or filmed in strong detail. Sexual activity may be shown but not into to much detail, there may also be strong verbal references to the sexual behaviour but unless justified the strongest terms may be unacceptable. No theme is prohibited as long as the film meets the certificates age limitation. Any violence involved may be strong but should not dwell on any injury or pain, the strongest gory images or scenes are most likely to be unacceptable.
18 is next and this is when no one under the age of 18 is allowed to view the film in the cinema or buy/rent it in the shops etc. Also in line with the consistent findings of the BBFC’s public consultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, at 18 the BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally override the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas: 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. In the case of video works (including video games), which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent than for cinema films. Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safer sex and health, explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted. Sex works are works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation. Sex works containing only material which may be simulated are generally passed 18. Sex works containing clear images of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit animated images, or other very strong sexual images will be confined to the R18 category. Material which is unacceptable in a sex work at R18 is also unacceptable in a sex work at 18.
The R18 category is a special and legally restricted
classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong
fetish material involving adults. Films may only be shown to adults in
specially licensed cinemas, and video works may be supplied to adults
only in licensed sex shops. R18 video works may not be supplied by
mail order. The following content is not acceptable: any material which is in breach of the criminal law,
including material judged to be obscene under the current interpretation
of the Obscene Publications Act 1959. Material (including dialogue) likely to encourage an interest in
sexually abusive activity which may include adults role-playing as non-adults.The portrayal of any sexual activity which involves lack of consent. Any form of physical restraint which
prevents participants from indicating a withdrawal of consent. The infliction of pain or acts which may cause lasting
physical harm, whether real or simulated. Some
allowance may be made for moderate, non-abusive, consensual activity. Penetration by any object associated with violence or likely to cause physical harm. Any sexual threats, humiliation or abuse which does not form part of
a clearly consenting role-playing game. Strong physical or verbal
abuse, even if consensual, is unlikely to be acceptable.
This post on age certificates shows a good understanding of how age certificates are used within the film industry. You have defined each certificate well, but to show more evidence of films that belong to that certificate by considering films.
ReplyDeleteAlso aim to include still images to support the points that you have made on the certificates