Research: Age Certificates: Miss Begum

Age Certificates

What is the role of the BBFC and why are they important to the film industry (relate to parental guidance/ appropriateness of content)?

 The role of the bbfc is to monitor the films that the public is viewing and make sure that the age rating is appropriate for the content that is in the film. Their job is to protect the people in the public from viewing things that may harm or cause any offence towards them.

What are the different Age Certificates?

  This age rating is universal. This means the film can be watched by people of all ages. It is impossible to predict what might upset a child. A universal film should be suitable for the audience aged four and over. These films should be set with a positive morals and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror. A film that would be classified as 'U' is 'Finding Nemo'.

  PG stands for parental guidance. This film would be suitable for general viewing but some scenes may not be appropriate for young children. Children of any age can watch this film unaccompanied. The film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children. A film that would be classified as 'PG' would be Harry Potter.

 These categories are awarded where the material is suitable, in general but only for those aged 12 and above. Works classified in this category may upset children under twelve or contain material which many parents will find unsuitable for them. A film that would be rated a '12' is 'Twilight'.

The 12A category only exists for cinema films. No one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult and films classified 12A are not recommended for a child younger that twelve. An adult may take a younger child, if in their judgement, the film is suitable for that particular child. In such circumstances, responsibility for allowing a child under twelve to view lies with the accompanying adult. A film that would be rated a '12A' is "The Fault in our Stars".

These films may have content that have some controversial elements to it, 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 od frequent bad language and nudity can be shown but only were appropriate. A film that would be rated a '15' in the cinema is 'Oculus'.

At 18 The BBFC's guideline concerns will not normally override the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment.

• Material may touch upon criminal law, and display criminal offence
• Violent or dangerous acts, illegal drug use may be shown but should not cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault.
• explicit images of sexual activity can be shown and bad language can be used. 

A film that would be rated 18 is 'Spring Breakers.'

Discuss 12A rating- Spiderman and Comic Hero films.

Spiderman the film is rated 12A however some of the scenes in the film are not suitable for this rating. Although there is proof of this nothing was done to change it because the readers of the classic Spiderman comics started from the young age of eight years old. The BBFC could not just leave the content out there free for everyone to watch, knowing that it would upset some of the audience so they created a new rating with allowed adult supervision during the viewing of the film.

What age certificates do thrillers tend to get and why? (relate to content)

Thriller films tend to get the age rating of 15 or 18 because of the content that is in them. There is usually a lot of violence, controversy, bad language, drugs and many more elements that a younger audience would find disturbing. The BBFC do this to protect the minds of a younger audience and to make sure no one is harmed by what they are watching. Some films need to have a high age rating because a younger spectator would not understand the meaning or reality of what is happening in the story. For example they may not be able to tell the difference between right and wrong and real or fake.

What age certificate would you give your thriller?

I would give my thriller the age rating of 15. this is because the content will not be too disturbing however you will have to be of a certain age to understand the concept of what is going on. The behaviour in my thriller will not to be copied or seen as the right thing to do so showing it to a younger audience would not be appropriate.

Conclusion: what have you learned about certificates and what do you need to consider for your own thrillers in terms of what is appropriate for different age groups?

I have learned that age ratings are there to protect people watching the film and warn them of the content that is in it. It has also shown me there are many different elements you need to consider when picking an age rating for a film. It shows that you can show thing to younger people because they are influenced easily.