Age Certificates
Who are the BBFC and what is their role?
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is an
independent, non-governmental body. They've classified cinema films since 1912, videos/DVDs and some video games since 1984. Accountable to Parliament, their primary aims are to protect children and other vulnerable groups of people from harm.
independent, non-governmental body. They've classified cinema films since 1912, videos/DVDs and some video games since 1984. Accountable to Parliament, their primary aims are to protect children and other vulnerable groups of people from harm.
Why BBFC is important in the film industry
The BBFC provides a wide variety of services to the Film and Home Entertainment industry
They are committed to:
issuing trusted age ratings and content advice in accordance with their published Guidelines, drawn from large-scale public consultations and specialist research;
being fair and transparent in how they conduct our business;
ensuring information relating to their products and services is clear and understandable;
providing cost-effective statutory and non-statutory content labelling services for business of all sizes, reinvesting income to deliver further value promoting and protecting the creative industires through our support to law enforcement agencies and their extensive education programme.
issuing trusted age ratings and content advice in accordance with their published Guidelines, drawn from large-scale public consultations and specialist research;
being fair and transparent in how they conduct our business;
ensuring information relating to their products and services is clear and understandable;
providing cost-effective statutory and non-statutory content labelling services for business of all sizes, reinvesting income to deliver further value promoting and protecting the creative industires through our support to law enforcement agencies and their extensive education programme.
Age certificates:
Suitable for all - U
A‘U’ rated film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. ‘U’ films should be set within a positive moral framework and should not feature any violence, threat or horror.
Parental Guidance
General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children.Unaccompanied children of any age can watch A ‘PG’ film. A PG rated film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content in a certain film may upset younger or more sensitive children.
12 and 12A
The same criteria are used to classify films at ‘12A’ and ‘12’. These categories are awarded where the material is suitable, in general, only for those aged 12 and over. Films which are classified at these categories may upset children under 12 or contain material which many parents will find unsuitable for them.
The ‘12A’ category exists only for cinema films. No one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless they are accompanied by an adult. Films classified ‘12A’ are not recommended for a child below 12. An adult may take a younger child if, in their judgement, the film is suitable for that particular child. In such circumstances, responsibility for allowing a child under 12 to view lies with the accompanying adult.
15
No-one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ rated film in a cinema. No-one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated DVD. These films may show medium violence with reference to sex or drugs.
18
No-one under the age of 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a cinema. No-one under the age may rent or buy an ‘18’ rated film. These films may show strong violence and heavy use of drugs and sex.
12A age certificate - Spiderman
The 12A age certificate was created during the Spiderman movie age rating controversy as most viewers filed in complaints that Spiderman (2002) had too many
violent scenes and was not suitable for children aged eight and
over.
Subsequently, BBFC took the complains on board and gave the film a 12 rating however, this sparked another argument that Spiderman is a comic book hero that most kids grew up looking up to and it would be an unfair decision not to allow children to watch it. BBFC Then changed the age certificate from 12 and created 12A age certificate which meant children could only watch such rated films whilst accompanied by an adult.
Subsequently, BBFC took the complains on board and gave the film a 12 rating however, this sparked another argument that Spiderman is a comic book hero that most kids grew up looking up to and it would be an unfair decision not to allow children to watch it. BBFC Then changed the age certificate from 12 and created 12A age certificate which meant children could only watch such rated films whilst accompanied by an adult.
Common thriller age rating
Most
thrillers tend to receive an age rating of 15 as the content the film
contains are either disturbing or too harmful for those younger than the
age rating. Scenes that may contribute towards a thriller film
getting an age rating of 15 and above include graphic violence and frequent strong language.
Conclusion
Looking
at the different age certificates and the materials they contain has
allowed me to have a better judgement on what my thriller age
certificate will be and how I'll be able to make the trailer
appropriate for my target audience.
The different age certificates in the film industry have been identified and you provide a relevant example for each. The thriller age rating is also identofied and discussed briefly.
ReplyDeleteTo improve;
-in your discussion of who the BBFC are, this should be your own work and understanding on thier role
-Give some more examples of thrillers that get the age rating of 15 and above and be more specific to the content they show
-in your conclusion, state what age certificate you plan to give your thriller and why