Assignment 7: BBFC & Understanding of Film Rating

JudyShivonne

What is the BBFC?

• A BBFC is British Board of Film Classification

What do they classify?

What they classify:• Film • Trailers• Advertising• Videos online (such as Love Film)• Texts available over mobile networks• Educational videos• Music videos• Video games

What are the 7 rating symbols ?

- Suitable for all ages

- Parental Guidance

- Cinema release suitable for 12 years and over

- Video release suitable for 12 years and over

- Suitable only for 15 years and over

- Suitable only for adults

- Adult works for licensed premises only

How do they classify films?Other Matters- Photo or pattern sensitivity- Motion sickness - Reaction to low frequency sound - Release format - Titles

Specific Classification Considerations- Discrimination - Drugs - Imitable behaviour - Language - Nudity - Sex - Threat- Violence

General Classification Considerations- Context - Theme - Tone & Impact

The BBFC and examiners look at each of the classification considerations and decide what is appropriate for each rating. For instance sex scenes wouldn’t be appropriate for young children so the film wouldn’t be classified as a U or PG.

Are the 7 symbols classified the same or differently?

The seven symbols are classified differently as they’re aimed at different age groups. As things such as the general classifications (context, theme and tone & impact) help define what film is classified as. In films rated as U and PG violence is not permitted as it is aimed at younger children and whereas an 18 is for adults and adults have the choice in what entertainment they can watch, so things such as violence are aimed mainly at adults. The tone and impact of things such as violence can be strong/negative for children so it is permitted for adults only.

Film Rating - 12/12A12/12A means anyone aged 12 or above can go see the film unaccompanied. A stands for ‘accompanied’ and ‘advisory’. 12A is used for cinema release whereas 12 is used on things such as DVDs etc. Children under 12 may see the film but they must be accompanied by an adult.What classifies a film as 12/12A?- Strong language such as ‘fuck’ can be used but infrequently. The context of this language is

important.- Sex and sexual nudity can be briefly and discreetly portrayed.- Moderate violence can be displayed however it should not show detail.- No emphasis of blood or injuries should be used but occasional gory moments can be shown

if backed up by context. - No discriminatory behavior should be shown.- Infrequent sight of drugs.

Eg: King Kong (2005)It is rated this way due to its frightening scenes, moderate horror and human characters being in danger, and moderate but not strongly detailed violence making it unsuitable for a PG. The fantasy elements such as the giant ape is felt to mitigate the intensity of a film but PG would not be an adequate warning to parents.

Case Studies Task • ‘Black Swan’• Year – 2010• Rating – 15• Uncut

• I learnt that black swan contains strong sex, strong language and bloody images.

• I learnt that the film was mostly aimed at 15-17 age rate• I learnt that the film was judged to be an important mitigating

factor.• I learnt that the film is trying to educate young people

between 15-18

• I learnt that The Black Swan was sent in for advising view and had no particular rating.

• Black Swan was on the 15/18 classification border due to one sexual scene. However the tone is sensuous rather than pornographic.

• The sex scene was said to be contained within a 15 rating when it was transpired that the whole event was imagined.

• Dangerous behaviour was included in the film (self-harm) however the BBFC said it was judged sufficiently aversive in nature and therefore unlikely to encourage copying.

• The issue of misuse drug use also occurs however due to Nina suffering the consequences such as becoming disorientated and losing control of her actions it is said that Black Swan did not promote or encourage drug use.

• The Black Swan was passed at the same rating for its DVD (15).