P2. REGULATORY BODIES - BBFC

 What is the BBFC?

BBFC stands for – British Board of Film Classification

What does BBFC regulates?

Moving images such as films, video/DVD and also they regulate video games and a service provider for new and developing media.

Who founds it?

Film producers pay money to the BBFC Company to get certificates. Film producer needs certificate to be able to make films.

What do the different classifications mean?

U- Universal (for everyone) For audience four aged or older. Not violence, drugs, horror, imitable behaviour or discrimination, nudity, sex, bad language, theme or nudity.

PG- Parental guidance. Unlikely to have any sort of discrimination. Only drugs to make a suitable anti-drug message.

Not allowed to have any horror sequences, shouldn’t be prolonged or intense.

Not any imitable behaviour that children can copy.

Language only mild bad language.

Natural nudity with no seal content.

Sex is only allowed to be implied but not allowed to show any parts or have a sex sequence.

Violence with no detail at all may be allowed.

12 12A

12 years old and over. No one younger than12 may see a 12A film in the cinema unless accompanied by an adult, and films classified 12A are not recommended for a child below 12.

Discrimination language is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly condemned.

Drugs if they use drugs in their sequence should not give instructional detail if used.

Horror moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted.

Imitable behaviour should be quite sensible as a 12 year old could copy such as hanging or suicide.

Language is allowed. But the use of strong language such as ‘fuck’ should not be used.

Nudity is allowed too but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet.

Sexual activity may be allowed but it should be briefly and discreet.

Themes are acceptable, but it should be suitable for young teenagers.

Violence is allowed but it shouldn’t be in much detail. No blood is allowed.

15

The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.

Drugs taking may be shown but it should not encourage them to do it. Aerosols or solvents is unlikely to be acceptable.

Horror, strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.

Imitable behaviour such as hanging and suicide and self-harming should not dwell on detail which could be copied.

Language, the strongest word you can use is ‘fuck’ but aggressive and repeated use of strongest language is unlikely to be used.

Nudity may be allowed.

Sexual activity may be allowed but not allowed to go into much detail

Theme is allowed for audience over 15.

Violence may be strong should not dwell on the infliction of pain injury.

 18

For only adults. Safer sex and health, explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted.

Sex works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation. Containing clear images of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit animated images, or other very strong sexual images will be confined to the ‘R18’ category.

‘R18’

Penetration by any object associated with violence or likely to cause physical harm.

Any sexual threats, humiliation or abuse, which does not form part of clearly consenting role- playing game. Strong physical or verbal abuse, even if consensual is unlikely to be acceptable.

What pays for the film classification?

The producer.

Why do you think it was set up?

It was set up for the audience’s protection. For example a 6 year old should be allowed to watch the same kind of films that a 18 year old could watch. And any type of violence would encourage him or give him ideas of doing it, such as hanging, stabbing people etc..

Do we need a BBFC? How successful do you think the BBFC is?

In my opinion the BBFC is really successful as when I go to the cinema to watch a film for 15 year old or older they always ask me to bring my passport or any kind of evidence to prove that im 15 or older. Also it was a good idea because a 15 year old is not as mature as a 18 year old.

Try to find an example where the BBFC have rejected film/game/text. Why was this?

Coraline

Coraline is kind of like a horror for kid but they seem to enjoy it. They have settled for a PG because not everyone could watch it such as 3 years old for example.

The fact that there are creepy dolls and dark setting could give them nightmares as they are not aware that its not real and they'll get scared of being alone. Therefore if they watch it with their parents they will feel more secure and comfortable.

Its not a 12A as its got no swearing in it whatsoever, also its got no violence at all therefore it narrows it down to a PG.