The British Board of Film Classification is an independent, non-governmental body which has classified cinema films since it was set up in 1912 and videos/DVDs since the Video Recordings Act was passed in 1984. It was set up as an an independent body to bring a degree of uniformity to the classification of film nationally. All classification decisions are based on the BBFC’s published and regularly updated Guidelines. The Guidelines are the product of extensive public consultation, research and the accumulated experience of the BBFC over many years. They reflect current views on film, DVD and video game regulation. Those who examine the films etc look at issues such as discrimination, drugs, horror, imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex, sexual violence, theme and violence when making decisions. They also consider context, the tone and impact of a work (eg how it makes the audience feel) and even the release format (for example, as DVDs are watched in the home, there is a higher risk of underage viewing). The following symbols are the age ratings seen on the products... The U symbol stands for Universal. A U film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. However, it is impossible to predict what might upset a particular child, especially at this lower end of the category range. PG stands for Parental Guidance. Meaning a film is suitable for general viewing, however there is the possibility that some scenes may not be suitable for young children. A PG film should not unsettle a child aged around eight or older. Parents should consider whether the content may upset younger, or more sensitive, children. The 12A requires an adult to accompany any child under 12 seeing a 12A film at the cinema. This is enforced by cinema staff and a cinema may lose its license if adult accompaniment is not enforced for children under 12 admitted to a 12A film. Accompanied viewing cannot be enforced in the home, so the 12 certificate remains for DVD/Blu-ray, rather than the 12A. The 12 is also a simpler system for retailers. It means they cannot sell or rent the item unless the customer is over the age of 12. No-one under 15 is allowed to see a 15 film at the cinema or buy/rent a ‘15 rated video. 15 rated works are not suitable for children under 15 years of age. No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds. Films rated 18 are for adults. No-one under 18 is allowed to see an 18 film at the cinema or buy/rent an 18 rated video. No 18 rated works are suitable for children. No theme is prohibited at 18. Adults are free to choose their own entertainment provided the material is not illegal or potentially harmful, so it is possible some themes tackled at 18 may be offensive even to some adult viewers. 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 videos may not be supplied by mail order. R18 titles are filtered out from the main public search as they can have explicit and/or offensive titles. Due to the many age categories that your film could fall into, it is crucial that it must be concluded as to what age rating the film will be before it is release in ordeer to attract the correct target audience. Since there is the possibility that if a film is believed to be a 12 and over, yet is shown to the BBFC and it is actually a 15, it cuts of those who were possibly wanted to see the film. There is times however when the film is advertised on the television; for example, and TBC is in the corner rather then a rating since there is no confirmation as to what category it falls into, almost leaving people in suspense as to whether they are viable to view it in the cinema.
As our film-'Reminiscence' is a thriller as well as a film noir, it does not appear to fall into the category suitable for twelve year olds, due to the fact if the story where to be adapted, the film would most likely turn into a rather violent, twisted, physcological thriller with rather strong langue and scenes that would not be fitted to a twelve year old. Fortunately, our original target audience was to be of teens around 15-18 (hipsters) wanting to see the film noir, for this reason we have not encouraged any target audience that would not get the option to view it in the cinemas etc. Comments are closed.
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