Assignment 7:Assignment 7:BBFC & Understanding BBFC & Understanding

Of Film RatingOf Film Rating

Chelsea HopkinsChelsea Hopkins

Esere Simei-Akajagbo Esere Simei-Akajagbo

Lesson PointsLesson Points

What is the BBFC?What is the BBFC?

BBFC- British Board of Film ClassificationBBFC- British Board of Film Classification

Examiners classify and rate filmsExaminers classify and rate films

What do they classify?What do they classify?

They classify:They classify:

Music Videos,Music Videos,

Video Games, Video Games,

Videos Online,Videos Online,

Trailers and Films Trailers and Films

What are the 7 ratings What are the 7 ratings symbols?symbols?

Universal- suitable for everyoneUniversal- suitable for everyone

Parental GuidanceParental Guidance

Cinema rating- 12 years and olderCinema rating- 12 years and older

Video release- 12 and overVideo release- 12 and over

Suitable for viewers- 15 and overSuitable for viewers- 15 and over

Suitable for- adultsSuitable for- adults

Restricted to licensed shops- contains Restricted to licensed shops- contains

pornographic footage pornographic footage

How do they classify How do they classify films?films?

Two examiners watch a film for theatrical Two examiners watch a film for theatrical release. The senior examiner will confirm the release. The senior examiner will confirm the

examiners’ opinion of rating. But if the examiners’ opinion of rating. But if the examiners are unsure or do not agree, the examiners are unsure or do not agree, the

film may be shown to other members of the film may be shown to other members of the Board including the Director.Board including the Director.

Issues such as discrimination, drugs, horror, Issues such as discrimination, drugs, horror, dangerous behaviour,, language, nudity, sex, dangerous behaviour,, language, nudity, sex, and violence when making decisions.the tone and violence when making decisions.the tone of the context is also taken into considerationof the context is also taken into consideration

Are the 7 symbols classified the Are the 7 symbols classified the same or differently?same or differently?

Every 4-5 years, the BBFC carries out a public consultation to find out Every 4-5 years, the BBFC carries out a public consultation to find out

what the public thinks about the age rating of films and if the BBFC’s what the public thinks about the age rating of films and if the BBFC’s

standards meet the publics standards.They adjust their standards and standards meet the publics standards.They adjust their standards and

criteria to meet the publics views of the appropriate age of rating.criteria to meet the publics views of the appropriate age of rating.

The Guidelines say what is acceptable in each age category, from U to The Guidelines say what is acceptable in each age category, from U to

R18.There are two key ideas laid out in the Guidelines are:R18.There are two key ideas laid out in the Guidelines are:

•to protect children and vulnerable adults from potentially harmful or to protect children and vulnerable adults from potentially harmful or

otherwise unsuitable contentotherwise unsuitable content

•to empower consumers, particularly parents and those with to empower consumers, particularly parents and those with

responsibility for children, to make informed viewing decisions.responsibility for children, to make informed viewing decisions.

These guidelines are set in place for all categories meaning These guidelines are set in place for all categories meaning

classification is fair for all films awaiting release.classification is fair for all films awaiting release.

Film RatingFilm Rating

Film RatingFilm Rating

Examiners look at general and specific certificate Examiners look at general and specific certificate

guidelines to consider which category the film guidelines to consider which category the film

should be placed. should be placed.

These help protect individuals from harm and the These help protect individuals from harm and the

social attitudes towards media contents.social attitudes towards media contents.

Certificate for adult Certificate for adult viewersviewers

For viewers 18+ For viewers 18+ Individuals who are younger than 18 Individuals who are younger than 18 cannot see the film in the cinema.cannot see the film in the cinema.

How are they How are they classified?classified?

An ExampleAn Example

Drugs- using highly dangerous substances and drug misuseDrugs- using highly dangerous substances and drug misuse

Threat- frightening and intense scenes.Threat- frightening and intense scenes.

Language: English, Japanese & German- intense swearing in Language: English, Japanese & German- intense swearing in

a negative context.a negative context.

Violence- strong violent and gory scenes.Violence- strong violent and gory scenes.

Sex & Nudity- strong sexual preferences, explicit images of Sex & Nudity- strong sexual preferences, explicit images of

nudity throughout the film.nudity throughout the film.

'The Human 'The Human Centipede'Centipede'

Why is was not rated Why is was not rated a 15?a 15?

Case StudyCase Study

JunoJuno

20082008

12A12A

Films rated 12a means that anyone aged 12 or over Films rated 12a means that anyone aged 12 or over

can go and see the film unaccompanied. A is for can go and see the film unaccompanied. A is for

'accompanied' and 'advisory'. Children younger than 12 'accompanied' and 'advisory'. Children younger than 12

can see the film if they are accompanied by an adult can see the film if they are accompanied by an adult

over 18, who has to watch the film with them. over 18, who has to watch the film with them.

10 things learnt from the 10 things learnt from the text text

It was submitted to the BBFC with a PG requestIt was submitted to the BBFC with a PG request

The BBFC felt that the film’s treatment of an important theme The BBFC felt that the film’s treatment of an important theme

was ‘suitable for young teenagers’ was ‘suitable for young teenagers’

The films use of swearing meant it couldn't be classed as pg The films use of swearing meant it couldn't be classed as pg

but 12a allows for this language infrequently but 12a allows for this language infrequently

The DVD version was given a rating of 12The DVD version was given a rating of 12

The sex reference are not educational and were felt to The sex reference are not educational and were felt to

mitigate any offencemitigate any offence

•It is seen as playful and tender in its treatment of a It is seen as playful and tender in its treatment of a mature thememature theme

•The clip from the wizard of gore is brief and comic, The clip from the wizard of gore is brief and comic, meaning it was in the category to be classed as a meaning it was in the category to be classed as a

12a12a

•The trailer caused people to complain at its The trailer caused people to complain at its theatrical release because it contained sexual theatrical release because it contained sexual

references and was played before a children's showreferences and was played before a children's show

•The sex references were considered to reflect what The sex references were considered to reflect what is likely to be familiar to most adolescentsis likely to be familiar to most adolescents

•The key classification issues are infrequent strong The key classification issues are infrequent strong language, moderate sex references and brief sight language, moderate sex references and brief sight

of a gory scene from an old horror movie The of a gory scene from an old horror movie The Wizard Of Gore which was ratedWizard Of Gore which was rated