BBFC

The BBFC (also known as the British Board Of Film Classification) put age recommendations on films. They are a regulation board. Regulation boards control a particular set of products within a certain industry. The BBFC set rules on what can and can't be put into films. However, they don't always get it right and viewers can complain. In the Uk films cannot be released unless it has gone through BBFC and has received an age rating. 

Here is list of all the things the BBFC consider..

Violence 

Sex / Nudity 

Obscene language 

Discriminatory language 

Self Harm

Criminal activity 

Dangerous behaviour 

Drugs 

Child actors 

Strobe lighting 

It is important to consider whether the film is real acting or animation. Usually animated films can get away with having more violence because it isn't happening 'in real life.' A lower age certificate is given to animated films. It is also taken into consideration of how the issue is handled. For example a film about drugs where it is seen as a big problem and take seriously will have a lower age rating than a film about drugs not showing the consequences and seen as 'harmless' Another example could be on violence. Is this seen as normal? Or is this out of this fantasy? Is it glamorous or is it realistic? 

An example of this is when the Hunger Games got their film accessed for a certificate. They wanted to create a 12a film so that the film could appeal to younger kids as well as adults. The BBFC decided that the beginning scene had too much violence as it showed children with weapons fighting, it was rewarded a 15. The Huger games then went back to do a re-edit

The Hunger Games then re-edited the scene so that less blood was shown on weapons and that the killings were faster and less graphic. They also took out some of the diegetic sound of screaming and yelling to turn down the scary 'tone.' 

They were then re-assessed and were awarded a 12a.

It is not always that the BBFC get this right, sometimes they have released certificates that audiences have complained for. 

The different ratings include:

Universal - which us suitable for all. All categories should be very mild. 

12A - suitable for 12 year olds and older. Sex is brief and discreetly shown. Moderate violence but no clearly showing of injuries. Drugs, alcohol and language kept minimal or brief-they should not glamourise them.

15- 15 and above. Under 15s cannot watch a 15 rated film at the cinema or purchase 15 rated DVD. Sex may be shown but in little detail. Violence may be strong but no in detail gory shots. Drugs and alcohol may be shown (aside from hard drug use) but should not be promoted. Strong language can be used. There are no constraints on nudity. 

18 - recommended that 18 and over watch. Under 18s cannot watch an 18 rated film at the cinema or purchase 18 rated DVD. Most aspects of sex are allowed, if something is unacceptable in an 18 rated it will also be unacceptable in a R18. Drugs, alcohol, violence, nudity is allowed - however any extremes may be considered for an R18. The BBFC believe that adults should be able to chose their own entertainment.

We have given our opening sequence a 15. We have done this because none of the gory violence is shown. Although it will clear that someone is hitting another person with a hammer, it is not graphically shown. But the idea of the violence is clear. We have no dialogue, sex, nudity, drugs or in our opening sequence so we don't need to take these into consideration. There are implications of drinking with the empty beer bottles scattered around the club but this is very mild, and isn't encouraging the idea of abusing alcohol.