The BBFC

The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) is a non-profit regulatory body setup to classify media in the UK, according to the UK laws. They classify media texts such as films, trailers and advertisements on behalf of local authorities who license cinemas, works of video under the ‘Video Recordings act of 1984’ and video works which are distributed over the internet and internet content that’s distributed via mobile networks under a self-regulated and voluntary the service and commercial. They base these on the use of violence, language, discrimination, sex and drug use. They guide to protect children and vulnerable adults from any potentially harmful or unsuitable media content, and to empower those consumers, mainly with children, to help them to make an informed decision on the viewing of media content.

The main issue with drugs is media is that no work taken as a whole may promote any kind of misuse of drugs or any details which are likely to promote the use of drugs. Any media pieces that normalise or glamorise the misuse of drugs are more likely to gain a higher classification, than a piece of media which shows the dangers of misusing drugs. Works which appeal to children that contain smoking, alcohol abuse and substance misuse will be indicated in BBFCinsight. The classifications of these media pieces may be influenced by these activities.

The main issues with language are the use of language which people may find offensive. This includes the use of language with a sexual, religious or racial association, derogatory language about minority groups and commonly understood rude gestures. The level and extent of the offence can vary due to factors such as gender, age, race, background, beliefs and the expectations of the character brought upon my the viewers to the work, as well as the context the word is used in. It is impossible to set out a comprehensive list of expressions, individual words and gestures which are and aren't acceptable for each category.

The main issue with sex is the portrayal of sexual activity, which can range from anything from kissing to detail of stimulated sex. The normalisation of overtly sexualised behavior is a concern in the younger categories of media, and the classification system allows progressively stronger levels of sexualised behavior, the higher the category rises. Works purely based on sexual arousal and/or stimulation will normally only get passed at the adult categories. Sex works which contain purely sex which may be purely simulated will be passed at the 18 rating. The R18 category is suitable for sex works which contain clear images of real sex, strong fetish activities, sexually explicit animated images or other very strong sexual images. R18 films are only supplied in licensed sex shops and only shown in specially licensed cinemas.

The main issue with violence is works which contain the portrayal of violence as a normal solution to problems, heroes who inflict pain and/or injury, callousness towards victims, the encouragement of aggressive attitudes, characters taking pleasure in pain or humiliation or the glorification or glamorisation of violence. Works which feature the following are likely to receive higher classifications. Sadistic or sexual violence is likely to receive a higher level of classification, and any portrayal of sadistic or sexual violence which is likely to pose a harmful risk, will be subject to classification, cuts, or as a possible last resort, a refusal to classify the piece of media. Media which makes sexual or sadistic violence look appealing or give the view that it’s acceptable, reinforces the suggestion that a victim will enjoy sexual violence or invited viewers to sexual violence and/or other harmful and violent behaviors and activities may be refused classification.

There are 7 different levels of classification available to use;

• U
• PG
• 12A
• 12
• 15
• 18
• R18

U stands for universal, which means it’s suitable for all. A U rated film should be suitable for anyone aged four years and over. They should be shown in a positive way and offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat and horror.

PG stands for parental guidance, which means some scenes may be unsuitable for younger children. A film that is rated PG shouldn't unsettle a child aged around eight or older. Children of any age may watch, but parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger and more sensitive children. References to illegal drugs or misuse of drugs must not be harmful or offensive or carry an anti-drug message. Only mildly bad language may be used and frequent or aggressive used of mild bad language could result in the film being classified as a higher rating. Any nudity shown may not carry any sexual content and sexual activity may be implied, but only infrequently and discreetly. They only include innuendos and mild sex references.

Films classified 12A and video works classified 12 tend to contain material that is not generally acceptable for any children under the age of 12. Anyone under the age of 12 may not see a film rated 12A in the cinema, unless accompanied by an adult. Any adults planning on taking a child to a film rated 12A, should consider whether the film is suitable for that child. No one younger than 12 can rent or purchase a 12 rated video work. Misuse of drugs must be infrequent and not be glamorised, otherwise it can result in a high classification. Moderate language can be used in moderation and strong language can possibly be permitted, depending on the context, person and frequency of its use. Nudity is permitted, but only in a brief and discreet manor if it’s in a sexual manor. Sexual activity may be shown, but briefly and discreetly and moderate sex references are permitted, but not frequently. There can be moderate violence, but mustn't go into detail, and no emphasis on any injuries and blood. Occasional moments containing gore are acceptable, of justified by the context. Any sexual violence may be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated, but only if it’s justified by context.

Films classified 15 tend to only be suitable for people 15 years and older. No one any younger than 15 may see a 15 rated film in the cinema or purchase/rent a 15 rated video work. No theme is prohibited in a 15 rated film, provided that it is treated appropriately for a 15 year old, so there is no limit of the themes that can be included in a piece of work rated 15. Use of drugs may be shown but the work must not promote the use of drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible drugs is unlikely to be accepted. The use of strong language is permitted and the use of very strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner, context, person using it and the frequency. Any aggressive use of very strong language is unlikely to be acceptable. There isn't a limit on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context, and there may be nudity in a sexual context, but without any strong detail. Sexual activity may be shown, without any strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual activity, but very strong references are unlikely to be acceptable. Works that are based primarily on sexual stimulation or arousal aren't likely to be considered acceptable and are likely to result in a higher rating. Strong violence can be shown but shouldn't dwell on any infliction of pain or an injury. Strongest examples of gore and strong sadistic violence are both unlikely to be acceptable. Detailed references to sexual violence can be sown, but showing sexual violence must be discreet and justified by the context.

Films rated 18 are only suitable for adults, and no one under the age of 18 may see an 18 rated film in the cinema or rent or buy an 18 rated video work. Adults are free to choose what they view for entertainment, with the exceptions of the following;

·       Material in breach of the criminal law or was created through the commission of an illegal offence

·       Material that appears to risk harm to an individual, or to society through their behavior. An example of this is the use or portrayal of violent or dangerous act or the use of illegal drugs, which may cause harm to the public. This can include sadistic behavior and sexual violence being made to look appealing or suggesting that victims enjoy sexual violence or inviting the viewers to partake in sexual violence or other harmful violent activities

·       Material where the primary purpose of the material is sexual arousal.

Explicit images of sexual activity are acceptable when the material genuinely seeks to inform and educate over 18’s in sexuality or safer sex and health. Sex works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation, containing material which may be simulated, are normally classified as 18 rated. Sex works which contain clear images of real sex, strong fetish material and sexually explicit images or any other very strong sexual images will normally only be accepted as R18 classification.

Films rated R18 are only to be shown in specially licensed cinemas or supplied is licensed sex shops, to adults only. The R18 category is primarily for explicit works of consenting sex, or works containing strong fetish material. Films may only be shown and supplied to adults over the age of 18, and may not be supplied by mail order. Any illegal material, material and dialog showing interest to sexually abusive activity (including adult role-playing as non-adults), sexual activity showing a lack of consent, infliction of pain or acts that may cause long term physical harm (not including moderate, non-abusive consensual activity), penetration by objects which may lead to physical harm or that is related to violence or sexual threat that aren't consensual and strong physical or verbal abuse, even if consensual is unlikely to be accepted.

Evaluation

By researching The BBFC I was able to accurately rate my film 15 and also aim for this rating with the content I filmed during shooting. By learning what was required to make a film fall into different age ratings, I was able to accurately stick to my chosen age rating.

I now know what I can and cannot include within my film. For example, I can include;

• Strong Language
• Violence
• Drug Use
• Sexual Content
• Nudity

And my film cannot include;

• Focus on violence and injuries
• Focus on drug taking or promotion of drugs
• Extensive scenes of sexual violence
• Sexual scenes of extreme content or primary purpose of arrousal

By making sure I didn't use any of these types of scenes that could risk making the film a 15, I was able to correctly abide by the rules required to make my film a 15. Generally, my film can include a lot of the things that you couldn't include in a 12 rated film, but mustn't start dipping into things that are restricted to just 18 and R18 films.

I feel that after completing my final product, that I have correctly followed the rules set out by The BBFC for my film to be rated 15.