Regulation Research

From this task I will learn what I can include in my short film and what is not allowed in certain age rated films, this will help me make decisions of how to carry out my short film and how to go about creating a suitable plot because I will have chosen my age rating. It will also show me what I'm definitely not allowed to use in my short film.

 

What is the BBFC and what does it do?

 

 The BBFC stands for the British Board of Film Classification. The BBFC rates films, videos and video games which have been released. The BBFC provide guidelines which shows what can and can’t be included in the different age rated films, for example they decide what is too explicit to be included in different age rated films and games.

 

 

 

Main issues

Strong language is a key issue in selecting which age rating a film should

 be because films

rated 12 or 12A cannot contain more offensive language than terms like 'bitch' or 'twat' frequently but can have infrequent stronger terms. The context of the strong language is important, if the language is used in an aggressive manner it may not be allowed in a 12. Whereas the language used in a 15 will be permitted to be stronger and more frequently used, for example there is no limit on the frequency of language such as 'f***' and they allowed rare, infrequent use of the strongest terms such as 'c***', although if they're used more frequently or in an aggressive/offensive context they will not be passed for a 15. Whereas in an 18 there in no limitation on the amount of strong, offensive language and the most offensive language can be used in an aggressive context and can be frequently used or followed by strong violence. 

Sex is a main issue in choosing which rating a film should be because in
an age 12 or 12A film, sex can briefly be mentioned or subtly portrayed. Verbal references to sex shouldn't be used if it is inappropriate for young teenagers, comedy can be used to diminish the impact of some moderate sex references. They allow nudity but sexual nudity should be brief and discreet. Whereas in a 15, sexual activity can be portrayed if there is no graphic detail, the sex scenes can be quite prolonged and involve nudity and movement but no excessive detail. They allow nudity in a non-sexual/educational context. Whereas an 18 can include strong and detailed portrayals of sex including full nudity. Strong, crude and explicit sex references are allowed. It can also contain depictions of real sex if justified by the context and situation.

Drugs and imitable behaviour are a significant issue in choosing

which age rating a film
should be because in a 12 or 12A dangerous behaviour such as suicide/self-harming can be present but cannot have detail which could be copied or presented as pain or harm free. There can be infrequent images of drug misuse but they should not be glamorised so people can copy or give instructional details. Where as in a 15 drug taking can be presented but not promoted. The misuse of easily accessible substances is very unlikely to be shown, this is to prevent teenagers copying or recreating. Dangerous behaviour may be shown but not in detail which could be copied. Whereas in an 18, drug taking may be shown but not promoted or encouraged. They can also present difficult/offensive subjects and themes and infrequent dangerous or criminal behaviour. 

Horror and violence are a main issue in choosing which age rating a
film should be because in a 12 or 12A moderate violence is allowed
but cannot be dwelled on in detail and can have  no emphasis on injury. Occasional moments of gore are allowed if justified by its context. Weapons and violent fight scenes are permitted. Some psychological threat is allowed but not prolonged disturbing sequences frequently. Whereas in a 15, strong violence is allowed. Strong images of gore are unlikely to be allowed. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be accepted by the BBFC. Also easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised. In 15’s there can be strong threat and menace. Where as in an 18 strong violence with strong detail is allowed to be portrayed and they can dwell on the infliction of pain and scenes of sexual violence. They may contain strong horror, gore or sustained threat and menace which exceeds the boundaries of a 15.

Only horror and violence and strong language apply to my short film and I intend to follow the BBFC’s guidelines. I plan my short thriller film to be a 15 because it will portray moderate threat or menace and I don’t intend it to contain any gore. There will be nothing in my film for teenagers to take negative instruction or detail from or be able to copy. As I have chosen to make my film a 15 I will not be able to include frequent strong language, promote drug misuse, no graphic sex scenes or show easily accessible dangerous substances.

This doesn't affect my film much because I did not plan to include these aspects in my short film, the only part of my film it may affect is violence and threatening behaviour in my film. It may also effect the language but I don’t intend to use strong language frequently.  

From this task I have chosen that my film will be rated 15 and I have learnt what I'm allowed and not allowed to include in my film according to the guidelines wrote by the BBFC, it has also shown me what I can include if it is justified by the context. As my short film is a thriller, this has shown me how much strong language, terror and violence I can include and has shown me that I cannot promote negative aspects to my audience such as accessible weapons and drugs.