The BBFC stands for The British Board of Film Classification, they categorise films under certain regulations so the film is appropriate to a certain viewer.
Classifications
U (universal) - this means that the media product is suitable for all. U’s should be mainly a positive story line, countering violence or horror with a positive outcome or solution.
Guidelines for a U
- U’s should use no discrimination or racist language unless whilst in the film it is seen as negative behaviour.
- No miss use of drugs or illegal drugs should be shown within the motion picture, yet if it is shown as educational, it could be accepted.
- Thrilling scenes must be kept down low and should have a positive outcome.
- No violent behaviour should be used that children could copy or take into consideration of doing it themselves.
- If bad language is used, it must be mild and maybe seen as bad.
- No sexual nudity.
- No direct language about sexual behaviour.
- Only mild sexual behaviour should be seen.
- Theme must be appropriate for children.
- Only mild violence.
PG (parental guidance) - this classification is for average, general viewing but some
scenes could be inappropriate. Children may watch these motion pictures without there parents, but the content could not be as welcoming as a U would be for children.
Guidelines for a PG
- PG’s discrimination or racism is much disapproved of and should be shown an unaccepted part of life.
- Any reference to drugs should be shown as unaccepted behaviour or not accepted at all
- Thrilling scenes should not be too intense or scary.
- No violent behaviour to children is likely take inspiration off.
- Bad language should be shown as bad. Only slight bad language should be used.
- No sexual nudity.
- Discrete sexual activity can be shown but must be infrequent and subtle
- A more serious theme to the film can be applied.
- Slight violence may be used, but only with in context of the movie
12/12A (suitable for children over the age of 12) – these two fit the same guidelines, a 12A is only applied to movies that are shown in the cinema, this means it is up to the parents to say if they can watch movie and it is there responsibility.
Guidelines for a 12/12A
· Actions of discrimination and racism cannot be the main part of the motion picture, neither can been seen as good unless condemned.
· Drug use should not be regular within the film neither instructions or shown as a really positive thing
· Frightening scenes are allowed but cannot be constant and should be kept almost minimal.
· Violent behaviour should not be shown in detail, no weapons and the easy accessibility of them should be shown as a good thing to have.
· Strong language must be not used constantly.
· Sexual nudity and activity can be used subtly, what is suitable for teenagers.
· Theme must be suitable for young teenagers
· Blood and injury cant be showed too much unless purely has to be the context of the movie but still not often. The outcome should try and be positive.
15 (suitable for 15 years and over) – no person younger than the age of 15 is permitted to see a film or buy a film with this age restriction on.
Guidelines for a 15
- Shouldn’t be racist or discriminating through out the movie.
- The video should not promote drugs as a positive thing, and shouldn’t be shown often especially the miss use of dangerous drugs; this may not even be shown.
- No sexualised horror scenes but most others are ok.
- Violent deaths should not be promoted, neither should the ease of owning a weapon,
- Bad language is allowed, some if only with the context..
- Nudity is allowed yet with no sexual content
- Sexual activity is allowed but without detail, detail can be justified if with in tone with the film
- A 15 can have any type of theme that is appropriate.
- Violence is allowed but should not focus on the pain of the violence, sexual violence is not allowed.
18 (suitable for adults only) – only adults may watch the cinematic viewing or buy the DVD of an 18 age restricted movie.
Guidelines for an 18
In line with the human rights act 1998 the BBFC feel that for ‘18’ movies are for adults only and that adults should be responsible for what they watch and enjoy and should not try and take that away from anyone. But there are some in the following areas:
- Where the law comes into place with a criminal.
- Where scenes such a sexual violence, drug abuse to the whole community or violent deaths may cause harm to certain individual viewers.
- Where there are very explicit sexual images that do not fit into the context of the movie.
- When sexual scenes are actually educational explicit images or files may be used.
- When sexual scenes are used for arousal and stimulation, if anything going a bit further into depth of this will result in being an R18.
R18 (To be shown and supplied specifically to licensed cinemas, licensed sex shops, and to adults of not less than 18 years only)- this category is a restricted classification mainly for explicit images evolving sex or strong fetish material involving adults. These films are only scene in licensed cinemas and store or only by mail orders. |The following is strictly disallowed in R18 movies:
- Any footage of anything close the edge of criminal law.
- Anything that encourages sexual abuse/rape.
- The infliction or pain that may cause long turm effects, especially during sexual activity.
- Penetration by anything associated with violence and that’s likely to cause harm.
- Any sexual threats and strong verbal abuse.
- Any form of sexual activity with involved no or lack of consent
