Presentation1

Olly and gary

What is the BBFC

• The British Board of Film Classification is an independent, non-governmental body which has classified cinema films since it was set up in 1912 and videos/ DVDs since the Video Recordings Act was passed in 1984.

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How the film is rated

• Step one: when a film is finished it is sent to the bbfc with an online form. The form gives vital information such as how long the film is, its release date and the age rating the distributor would like.

• Step two: The company pays to have the film rated an average length film would cost £800.

• Step three: The film is then checked to make sure it is of a good enough standard and that there are no glitches

• Step four: Hundreds of films are sent to the BBFC for a rating each year, a film is scheduled in a diary to let the examiners know when the film ill be shown.

• Step Five: Two examiners then watch the film. When it is

finished they make a note of the age rating they think suitable.

Age rating

• The U symbol stands for Universal. A U film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. However, it is impossible to predict what might upset a particular child, especially at this lower end of the category range.

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• PG stands for Parental Guidance. This means a film is suitable for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for younger children. A PG film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. Parents should consider whether the content might upset younger or more sensitive children.

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• 12A means that anyone aged 12 or over can go and see the film unaccompanied. The A stands for 'accompanied' and 'advisory'. Children younger than 12 may see the film if they are accompanied by an adult (e.g. someone over the age of 18), who must watch the film with

them. 

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•  No-one under 15 is allowed to see a 15 film at the cinema or buy/rent a 15 rated DVD. 15 rated works are not suitable for children under 15 years of age.

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• Films rated 18 are for adults. No-one under 18 is allowed to see an 18 film at the cinema or buy/rent an 18 rated DVD. No 18 rated works are suitable for children.

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• The 18 category is a special and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and video works may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops. 18 videos may not be supplied by mail order.

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Case Studies

• Adulthood:

• Director: Noel Clarke

• Status: 15

• Year: 2008

• The film has an age rating of 15 due to the sex, drugs, violence and bad language references.

• Fight club• Director: David Fincher• Status: 18 uncut• Year: 1994

• The film has an age rating of 18 due to violence and the potential encouragement for bare knuckle fighting

• The dark knight:

• Director: Christopher Nolan

• Status: 12A

• Year: 2008

• This film has a 12A rating because the violence

is lacking in any blood or injury details