Research into the BBFC - Miss Miller

Introduction

The BBFC stands for 'British Board of Film Classification'. Their purpose is to keep the public safe from scenes which could cause potential risks of harm. They allow the public to make suitable viewing choices. They are there to appreciate adult freedom of choice without breaking the law. They change the age classifications through the changing social attitudes towards media content. This is done through talks with the general public and research. The BBFC give out a cost - effective and efficient classification service within the law.

Age Classifications - U, PG, 12A, 12, 15, 18

The 'U' classification stands for Universal which means that it is a film in which everyone aged 4 and above is allowed to watch. A film is rated 'U' if it shows no sightings of drugs, discrimination, unsuitable behaviour, nudity, unacceptable language, sex, threat or violence.
The only acceptable bad language is very mild. For example, 'damn' and 'hell'. Kissing and cuddling is acceptable as the only sort of sexual interaction. Violence will hardly ever be shown but if it is then it will be a short fighting scene.
'U' classified films are varied themes which are acceptable to be watched by young children. The films that are made for children usually give a positive message and in most cases have a happy ending.

Example - Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs:

Snow White lives with her wicked stepmother that is also the Queen. The Queen forces Snow White to be her maid. Everyday, she would ask her mirror, 'who is the fairest of them all?' and for years, he would reply saying the Queen but one day it tells the Queen that Snow White is the fairest. She then tells the huntsman to take Snow White into the forest and kill her and bring back her heart in a jewelled box, but the huntsman can not kill her. This means that no violence is shown. He tells Snow White to go into the forest and never come back so Snow White made friends with many woodland animals who took her to a little cottage belonging to seven Dwarfs. Snow White then cleaned the whole cottage and looked after it whilst the Dwarfs worked all day. When the mirror told the Queen that Snow White was still the fairest in all the land, she realised that she is still alive. Then she worked out that the heart in the box was a heart. She then used magic to turn herself into an old woman and entered the forest to find the cottage. Once she found it, she gave Snow White a poisoned apple which would make whoever takes a bite fall to sleep and the spell can only be broken by love's first kiss. The apple is acceptable in the 'U' classification as it is not a dangerous weapon. Snow White took a bite and the Dwarfs find her on the floor when they return from work. A Prince whom had already met and fallen in love with Snow White then came along, he kisses her and she awakens giving them a happily ever after.
This film is classified as a 'U' because there is no swearing, no sex and no violence. Although, there is danger in the film, it isn't violent danger. The happily ever after makes it a good film for children as that means it has provided a positive message.

The 'PG' classification stands for Parental Guidance which means it is a suitable film for all but some scenes might not be acceptable for younger children. A 'PG' rated film should not upset a child that is 8 or older. The parents of a child should decide whether a child younger than this should be able to watch the film.
Some films with a 'PG' rating aren't films that would attract and younger audience but are acceptable for them to watch. There is mild bad language in these films but the words used will be in context. References to sex are unlikely but if there is then it will be used in a way that a child wouldn't understand. Violence will be very mild and there may be some signs of blood but the way in which they are hurt will not be shown. Some moments of fear are shown but nothing that has tension building up to it.

Example - Paddington:

Paddington is a bear that leaves his life in the jungle in Peru because of an earthquake and heads to Paddington station, London to look for his Uncle. He meets the Brown family who name him after the station and they take him to an antique shop to ask about the stamp on his Uncle's hat in which Paddington had found after the Earthquake. They find out that the stamp comes from an explorer that found his Aunt and Uncle, Montgomery Clyde. Meanwhile, a woman named Millicent Clyde who stuffs dead animals finds out about Paddington and wants to get him. With the help of the Browns' neighbour, Millicent Clyde climbs in to the Browns house and attempts to get Paddington. Paddington isn't happy living with the Browns so leaves and goes and looks for Montgomery Clyde on his own. He finds out that Montgomery died and that Millicent turns out to be his daughter. Millicent captures Paddington and puts him to sleep ready to stuff him. When the Brown family find out, they go and save Paddington. At the end, the Browns adopt Paddington so there is a happily ever after making it a god ending for a PG.
This film is classified as a 'PG' because the language is mild. Also, the idea of the earthquake and the villain, Millicent Clyde, might scare younger children. There is also a very small amount of violence shown in the film.

The '12' and '12A' classification means there are scenes which are not suitable for under 12's. The difference between the 2 classifications is that no one is allowed into a '12A' rated film unless accompanied by an adult whereas no one under the age of 12 can go into a '12' rated film. The adult that intends to take a chid to a '12A' rated film should decide whether the film will be acceptable for a child younger than 12 to watch. If a film is quite negative and dark, it will be rated a '12' as it may scare children younger than this. Language used in a '12' rated film might be words like 'f***' but it won't be said very often and if it is used in a strong tone then it will be rated as a '15' instead. Nudity might be seen in '12A' films and sex could be very brief in both '12' and '12A' films. Mild violence is accepted in these films and some gory moments are acceptable as well. Weapons like knives which 12 year olds can reach are not acceptable to be used in '12' and '12A' films. Scenes with rape or sexual assault taking place will only be shown in these films is they have a strong justification. Some horror films are rated '12' and '12A' as long as the horror scenes are short and don't continue or a long period of time. Behaviour where people hang themselves or commit suicide, for example, are shown at this rating but this will not be behaviour children are likely to copy.


Example of a '12A' - The fault in stars

This film is based on the novel written by John Green. It is about a 16 year old girl named Hazel Grace Lancaster that has cancer. She meets a 17 year old boy called Augustus Waters at a cancer patient support group. He had cancer in the past where the bottom of his leg had to be amputated. He was there for his best friend, Isaac, that had cancer in his eyes. They both fall in love and Hazel gets Augustus to read her favourite book, 'An Imperial Affliction', written by her favourite author, Peter Van Houton. Augustus tells Hazel that he had found Peter's assistant and emailed her asking questions but they replied saying that the answers could only be told in person. Later, Augustus suprises Hazel with a trip to Amsterdam to meet Peter Van Houton. When they finally meet Peter, he is very drunk and very rude to them both so they leave. Peters assistant then runs after the two of them and takes them to visit Anne Franks house. The next morning, Augustus tells Hazel that his cancer has come back and it is spreading fast. When they arrive back home, Augustus is taken straight to the ICU and fearing his death, invites Isaac and Hazel to his pre-funeral where they read their eulogies. Soon after that, Augustus died. At his real funeral, Peter Van Houton turns up and gets into Hazels car where he hands her a letter but she throws it straight on the floor. That night, Isaac goes to see Hazel where he tells her that the letter was actually from Augustus who had sent it to Peter.
This film is classified as a '12A' because there are scenes of nudity and sexual interaction. There is also some bad language used throughout the film. The film is not scary so younger children are allowed in to watch the film.

The '15' classification means that anyone under the age of 15 is not allowed in to watch the film. No types of scenes are prohibited as long as they are appropriate for 15 year olds to watch. Strong violence, continuous strong language, scenes of sexual activity, nudity, drug taking, strong verbal references to sex, brief scenes of sexual violence and discriminatory language or behaviour are all acceptable in a '15' rated film. There is no limit on how much bad language is used in these films. Discriminatory language and behaviour may be shown in a '15' classified film but nothing will be shown that will promote discriminatory language or behaviour among 15 year olds. Sexual activity is shown in a '15' and sex scenes may be long. There may be strong references to sex but these will only be shown if they are justified in the film. Gory scenes might not be acceptable at a '15' but strong violence is. There will not be much sexual violence but if it is shown then it needs to be justified and a short scene. Drug taking is shown but should not endorse drug taking to 15 year olds.

Example - Bad Neighbours

This film is about a couple, Mac and Kelly Radner, who move into their new house with their newborn daughter. They find out that their new neighbours are a group called Delta Psi Beta who are known for their outrageous parties. One night when one of the parties was being held, Mac and Kelly asked Teddy, one of the groups leaders, to keep the noise down and he told them they will as long as they call him instead of the police. Teddy invited them to one of their parties where he shows Mac his room which has a pile of fireworks and a box that controls the power in the house. The night after, they couldn't get hold of Teddy to ask to keep the noise down so ring the police instead who tell Teddy who made the call. The day after, all of the parties rubbish had been thrown over the Radners front garden. The couple go down to the college dean who tells them that there is a three strikes policy and the Delta Psi Beta are on their second. They then fail to make the group move by messing up their house so Kelly gets Pete (Teddy's best friend) and Brooke (Teddy's girlfriend) to have sex and Mac gets Teddy to walk in on them. A fight breaks out causing a barbecue to roll into a car injuring a teacher. This gave them their second strike. This basically ruined their party plans. From then on, Teddy began to do violent pranks on the couple. The couple send a letter to Teddy telling them they have their parties again. As the next party starts, they call a police officer, Watkins, and Teddy realises so stops the party just in time. Jimmy (the Radners friend), throws himself from the balcony to distract Teddy which allowed Mac and Kelly to get into Teddys room and restart the party using his power box. Teddy takes the blame for the party and the college shut the house down.
This is a '15'classified film because there is nudity and sex scenes. There is also violent scenes and pain and injury is briefly shown when Jimmy jumps off the balcony. Strong language is used throughout the film from start to finish.

The '18' classification means that only adults can go and watch these films. No one under the age of 18 is allowed to watch these films. There is no content in an '18' rated film that is prohibited. This means that some adults may be offended by some things that are shown. Very strong violence, continuous strong language, strong scenes of sexual activity, strong horror, strong scenes of blood and gore, sex and discriminatory language or behaviour are all acceptable in an '18' rated film. There is no limit on how much bad language is said even if it is followed by violence. There might be racist, homophobic and other discriminatory language used and it could be offensive to some adult viewers. Strong and detailed scenes of sex are shown in an '18'. Violence shown in an '18' classified film can be extremely strong which could include gory scenes and scenes of sexual violence. Drug use is shown but it cannot promote drug misuse. Some scenes might be cut if they are breaching the law, risking harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, society or where there are sexual images which are not justified.

Example - The Shining

This is a psychological horror film about a writer and recovering alcoholic, Jack Torrence. He accepts a job offer as an out of season care taker at the empty Overlook hotel. His son gains psychic abilities where he can see the past and the future. After the family have moved in, they get trapped inside by a snowstorm. Jack suddenly becomes influenced by a supernatural presence and attempts to kill his wife and son.
This film is an '18' because is contains some very violent scenes and lots of bad language throughout.

Conclusion

The BBFC is important regarding films and audiences as they make sure young children are not allowed to see content which may disturb them. Also, they make sure certain scenes are cut if they are not appropriate to a certain age certificate. My research will help me decide the age certificate to make my thriller film at as I know how much of certain contents can go into it. For example, bad language cannot be used throughout to have my film at an age certificate of '12'.