‘Behind the scenes at the BBFC’

AS/A Level Film Studies ConferenceUniversity of Hull6th February 2008

Ian Mashiah – Film, Video and Video Games Examiner

Today’s Presentation

• Who we are

• What we do

• Why we do it

• How we do it

• How you can find out more

• It’s showtime…

• Any questions?

Just a reminder…

Universal.Suitable for all

Parental Guidance.General Viewing but some scenes may be

unsuitable foryoung children

Suitable for 12 years+.No one younger

than 12 can see a 12A film unless accompanied

by an adult

Suitable for15 years+

Suitable forAdults only

What is the BBFC?

• Designated body for the regulation of film and video• Established 1912• Independent, non-governmental body funded through

charged fees• Classifies Films on behalf of Local Authorities – the

Cinemas Act, 1985• Classifies Videos, DVDs and some Digital Games under

the Video Recordings Act, 1984

Some Facts• In 2007, the BBFCBBFC classified:

– 574 films• 222 of these were passed 15

– 11778 Videos & DVDs• 4938 of these were passed U or PG

– 258 Digital Games• 151 of these were passed 15 or 18

– 2187 Trailers and Ads• 1103 of these were for cinema release

• In 2007, the BBFC rejected only TWO works

This was then…

1. Indecorous, ambiguous and irreverent titles and subtitles2. Cruelty to animals 3. The irreverent treatment of sacred subjects 4. Drunken scenes carried to

‘Cruelty to animals’

‘Men and women in bed together’‘Unnecessary exhibition of under-clothing’

‘The modus operandi of criminals’

‘The drug habit. e.g. opium, morphia, cocaine, etc’

1916T.P. O’Connor’s ‘Forty-Three Grounds for Deletion’

‘Excessively passionate love scenes’

‘The exhibition of profuse bleeding’

‘Materialization of the conventional figure of Christ’

‘Scenes tending to disparage public characters and institutions’

Overriding Principles now

Censorship through classification

Works should be allowed to reach the widest audience that is appropriate for their theme and treatment

The context in which something (eg sex and violence) is presented is central to the question of its acceptability

Decisions are based on published and regularly updated guidelines – based on public consultation

Adults should be free to pick their own entertainment within the law

Legislation

The Licensing Act, 2003:

• Cinemas require a licence

• The BBFC classifies on behalf of Local Authorities but they can:– ignore BBFC certificates– grant their own certificates– effectively ‘ban’ Films

The Video Recordings Act, 1984

• ‘Video Nasties’ – the moral panic

• Criminal Justice & Public Order Act, 1994

• the ‘Harm’ test

• Digital Media

Other Legislation…

• The Obscene Publications Act, 1959 & 1964• Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act, 1937• Protection of Children Act, 1978• Race Relations Act, 1976• Human Rights Act, 1998

• Blasphemous Libel

Accountability

• Guidelines: February 2005

• Public Consultation– Citizens Juries– Research– Questionnaires

• Research Projects

The Examiners

• 31 Full-Time/Part-Time Examiners• 8 Specialist Video Games Examiners• Cantonese/South Asian Language Examiners• Various backgrounds• 4 Senior Examiners• 4 Teams

THE

CLASSIFICAT

ION

PROCESS

Examining

Examiner Duties

• Viewing

• Examiners’ Meeting

• Team Projects

• Networking

• Correspondence

The Examining Process

• Viewing in pairs (with exceptions)• Over 5.5 Hours per day• Random• Examiner’s Log• Post viewing discussion linked to:

– Guidelines– Policy– Legal Restrictions

• Decision Agreed upon…• Consumer Advice written• Reports Filed• Reports Checked

Examining: Issues

• Violence• Language• Sex• Sexual References• Sexual Violence• Drugs• Criminal Activity• Weapons• Imitable Techniques• Horror• Theme

Other Considerations

• the work – its story, style, treatment• the audience – address and appeal• the moral framework• artistic or educational merit• potential level of offensiveness • precedent• possible harm• context

Other Outcomes

• Split Decision

• Confirmatory Viewing• Cuts

- legal reasons- policy- ‘category cuts’

• Rejection

Cuts: Examples

• Imitable Techniques: violent, criminal, harmful

• Glamorisation of Offensive Weapons

• Sexual Violence: eroticised rape or sexual assault

• Illegal Material• Instruction in Drug Use

Most works fit into one category…

Universal.Suitable for all

Parental Guidance.General Viewing but some scenes may be

unsuitable foryoung children

Suitable for 12 years+.No one younger

than 12 can see a 12A film unless accompanied

by an adult

Suitable for15 years+

Suitable forAdults only

But some works are borderline

• A borderline work is one for which there are strong arguments for two categories, or one category and cuts

• BBFC Guidelines state:

“Occasionally a work lies on the margin between two categories. In applying the criteria in these Guidelines in such a case, the BBFC takes into account the intentions of the film-maker, the expectations of the public in general and the work’s audience in particular, and any special merits of the work”

Education

www.cbbfc.co.uk

www.sbbfc.co.uk

Launched June 2003

Launched May 2005

sbbfc: Who’s it for?

• Media & Film Studies Students and Teachers (GCSE, AS/A and beyond)

• ‘Informational’

• Further Expansion: Teacher/Student Consultation

sbbfc: the Student Guide

• History, Legislation, Classification

• ResourcesTimelinesCase StudiesResearchArticlesDownloadsNewsReading ListWeb Links

sbbfc: for Teachers• Seminars• External Presentations• Downloads• BBFC posters• Feedback

You Call the Shots.

Education

www.parentsbbfc.co.uk

Clips

Questions

Thank You…

www.sbbfc.co.uk