Research: Age certificates - Mrs. Quinlan

What is the role of the BBFC and why are they important?

The 'BBFC' stands for British Board of Film Classification, founded by the film industry responsible for the age certificates classification and censorship within the UK. This is applied on classifying videos, DVDs, and some video games. The BBFC serves a social function in society which is to advise and protect viewers from moving images. It's also provide public information that empowers them, and parents, to make appropriate viewing decisions for themselves and those in their care. They help to protect vulnerable viewers and society from the effect of viewing potentially harmful or unsuitable content while respecting adult freedom of choice. Moreover, the age certificate are provided by the BBFC and this is judge depending on the content displayed, which is made in hope to protect all film viewers, as certain viewing materials is only convenient for a certain

age group.

These are the different categories of age certificates:




The 'U' symbol stands for Universal. A 'U' movie should be appropriate for the younger audience of children aged four years and older. It is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child, thus movie classified with 'U' should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat
or horror.





Example of movie:



The 'Monsters University' movie is an example of a 'U' film which is appropriate to the younger audience as the movie contain themes of friendship and school. Additionally, it teaches the infants to accept their unique personality and to not be afraid to be yourself, which is a very important lessons in life. Also because it's an animation which the younger would appreciate, as they can imagine a new world and escape from reality. Thus, the younger audience can relate their life school to this movie which is conventional as the audience will be entertained by the characters and the powerful relation of friendships that is shown.







The 'PG' symbol signify Parental Guidance. A 'PG' should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. So, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children. As 'PG' has a general view, there will be some scenes that may be unsuitable for the young audience.







Example of movie:


The 'Jaws' movie is a case of 'PG' example which may disturb the child, as the theme of death is presented which include blood and pain in the sequence, thus it's recommended that these sequence are watched with an adult so the children might feel more secure and safe. However, if the children aged eight or younger, is really sensitive it's advised to change the scene like putting forward, so the kid won't be effected or feel upset.








The 12A category exist only for cinema films rating as well as on DVD. No one younger than twelve years may see a 12A film in cinema unless accompanied by an adult, and films classified 12 are not recommended for a child below twelve. An adult may take a younger child if, in their judgment, the film in suitable for that particular kid. In such circumstances, responsibility for allowing a child under twelve to view lies with the accompanying adult.





Example of movie:


The 'Everest' film is a good example of a 12A rated movie. The narrative drama is about a group of expeditionaries who attempt to climb the Mount Everest which contains scene with  moderate threat, injury detail, upsetting scene that may effect the young individual viewer, or perhaps the young spectator could imitate the themes of threat in real life with innocent children which is not acceptable, thus is advised to bring a parents with us to watch the movie so the adult will supervise the young children and explain the good and bad deeds. However, there are also themes of friendship and team work which is suitable for children aged 12 which they can relate on.




Why the 12A was created:

The 12A certificate was created in 2002 after the release of the first Spiderman movie. The BBFC decided to give it a 12+ rating because of the brutal fight scene between the protagonist and antagonist, Also because there is a scene where the antagonist talk to himself, showing his psychopath persona, which was controversial. However, Spiderman is an popular hero which has influenced most kid's childhood. Therefore it was unfair to children agend under twelve not to see it. So the BBFC create a new rating which state that kids under twelve years old are allowed to see a 12A movie only if is accompanied and supervised by an adult.











The 12 category is awarded where the material is suitable. In general, only for those aged twelve years old and over. Works classified at these category may upset children under twelve, or contain material which many parents will find unsuitable for them. The 12 category exist only for video works, no one younger than twelve years may rent or buy a 12 rated video work.





Example of movie:


The 'Non-Stop' movie is an example of a 12 age rating movie. The narrative talks about a routine commercial flight. The protagonist begins to receive threatening texts from an unknown character, promising to kill one person every twenty minutes, until $150 million is transferred to a specific account. . Here we can see that the genre used is mystery, drama and action which include the theme of threat with moderate violence which will be suitable for children aged 12 and over as they are seen more mature and experienced and they will also be entertainment by the action taking place in the scene.







A film classified 15 usually have some controversial elements, but on the whole, there shouldn't be any discrimination, drugs may be touched upon, but not promoted, violence can be displayed but cannot dwell on injury and pain, there may be use of frequents bad language and nudity can be shown, but only were is appropriate.






Example of movie:



The 'Annabelle' movie is a thriller-horror film. The narrative is about a posses doll that cause trouble and terror not just the character, but also the audience. This is because this movie is aged 15, as the viewer will be physiologically effected, which is not suitable for children as they are easily believer in supernatural events. Also the theme of violence and the iconography of blood is shown is a inadequate way, which will disturbs the younger spectators. However, teenagers that like to be thrilled and terrified by unnatural events, are more than welcome to watch horror movie that contain bloody violence and terrifying scene.

Film rated 18 are for adult. This category has the highest age rate possible and therefore has the most freedom when displaying various contents and scene. Usually, movie rated 18 will displays explicit topic such as extreme violence, strong language, rape and torture. Also it can shows illegal drugs use and sexual activity.
However, people aged 18 above can legally choose what to watch as they are mature and responsible.




Example of movie:


'Knock Knock' is a movie rated 18. This is because of the strong language, strong sustained and sadistic threat, sex activity, sex references and nudity. The narrative is about the protagonist being terrorized in his own house by two young women. This is a good example of a 18 age rating, as people aged under 18 may find these contents too controversial and disturbing. Also people aged above 18 are more likely not to follow these situations and actions taking place a movie as they are more reliable and full-grown.




Conclusion:

In closure, learning about the BBFC age rating, was beneficial to my understanding because I have learned how important these establishments are during a production. Also I have learned which themes are suitable to which category, which helped me to consider what topic to include in my opening thriller without being too controversial. For my opening thriller I guess that I will use the 15 age certificate. This is because I would like to show the theme of violence and threat, without being too disturbing which is conventional to a thriller opening and suitable for the target audience that i would like to demonstrate.