British Board of Film Classification
The British Board of Film Classification's purpose is to ensure that films are suitable for the different age groups. We will most likely decide to aim our horror at the 15 and over age category as it will allow a bigger audience, rather than limiting it to 18 and over. The BBFC gave us many guidelines on what was allowed for the age group of 15. The following information was taken directly from the BBFC website.
Are there any limits on what theme a project can have at 15?
No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year
olds.
How much strong language is there in a 15?
There could potentially be a great deal. At 15 there is no upper limit on the
number of uses of strong language. Occasionally there may be uses of the strongest terms.
What about discriminatory or offensive terms?
There may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language, and the project could explore themes relating to this. However, at 15 the work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.
How much sex and nudity is allowed at 15?
At 15 sexual activity can be portrayed, as long as there is no strong or graphic detail. Some sex scenes can be quite long at this category and may involve some nudity and movement. Though nudity may be allowed in a sexual context there should be no strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. There can be strong references to sex and sexual behaviour, but especially strong or crude references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Heterosexual and homosexual sex and sex references are treated the same.
Can there be strong violence?
Yes, at 15 violence may be strong. It should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury, however, and the strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be
acceptable. Easily accessible weapons may not be glamorised.
What about sexual violence?
There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence (for example descriptions of rape or sexual assault in a courtroom scene or in victim testimony) but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.
What about horror works?
Many horror films are rated 15. At 15 there can be strong threat and menace (as long as it is not sadistic or sexualised), although the strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.
What about dangerous behaviour or things teens might copy?
We consider the risk of potential harm to impressionable teenagers. For example, dangerous behaviour such as hanging, suicide and self-harming should not dwell on detail which could be copied.
Are there any limits on what theme a project can have at 15?
No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year
olds.
How much strong language is there in a 15?
There could potentially be a great deal. At 15 there is no upper limit on the
number of uses of strong language. Occasionally there may be uses of the strongest terms.
What about discriminatory or offensive terms?
There may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language, and the project could explore themes relating to this. However, at 15 the work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.
How much sex and nudity is allowed at 15?
At 15 sexual activity can be portrayed, as long as there is no strong or graphic detail. Some sex scenes can be quite long at this category and may involve some nudity and movement. Though nudity may be allowed in a sexual context there should be no strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. There can be strong references to sex and sexual behaviour, but especially strong or crude references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Heterosexual and homosexual sex and sex references are treated the same.
Can there be strong violence?
Yes, at 15 violence may be strong. It should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury, however, and the strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be
acceptable. Easily accessible weapons may not be glamorised.
What about sexual violence?
There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence (for example descriptions of rape or sexual assault in a courtroom scene or in victim testimony) but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.
What about horror works?
Many horror films are rated 15. At 15 there can be strong threat and menace (as long as it is not sadistic or sexualised), although the strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.
What about dangerous behaviour or things teens might copy?
We consider the risk of potential harm to impressionable teenagers. For example, dangerous behaviour such as hanging, suicide and self-harming should not dwell on detail which could be copied.
For our trailer we used the age range 15 as we thought that young teenagers would enjoy it as they could relate to the actors in our trailer as they are near enough the same ages. There is quite alot of pain and injury in our trailer and also some gore which also makes it a 15 as it would be to scary and too violent for anyone younger. We also thought that 15 year olds are coming to terms with there sexuality.
TD SH
TD SH
BBFC ratings
The U symbol stands for Universal. A U film should be suitable for children which are of the age four years and over. However, at such a young age it is hard to predict what might upset a child.
Mild bad language which is used a few times is acceptable, examples such as 'damn' and 'hell'. Light sexual behaviour is allowed such as hugging or kissing. |
PG stands for Parental Guidance. This means a film is suitable for general viewing, but there is a chance that some younger children, aged around 4, might get upset by a unpredictable event. A PG film should not upset a child aged around eight or older. It is advised for parents to check i they think the movie is acceptable as they know their child better than the board.
|
The 12A requires and child that is under the age of 12 to be accompanied. In an 12A film it is possible for mild bad language, the use of the word 'F*ck' is normally passed for this age category.
Also mide sexual behaviour is common, but shouldn't go beyond what is acceptable for a young viewing teenager. Relating to our genre of horror, this normally the lowest rating a horror movie will be passed at. |
It is obvious that accompanied viewing cannot be monitored in the home, so the 12 certificate remains for DVD version of the film. The 12 is mainly used for retailers who sell the physical copy of the movie, they can't sell the movie to any one under the age of 12 otherwise they will face a fine. The 12 and 12A have the same restrictions and also have the same content. Examples of a 12 rated horror movie are:
-Haunted Hills 2001 -Critters 4 1992 |
No one under the age of 15 is able to watch a 15 film at the cinema or buy the film. No theme is restricted from the category, the content just has to be suitable for someone of the age. A 15 rated movie will have some scenes of violence and frequent strong language. There would be the use of sexual imagery and nudity. In a 15 there can be a strong sense of death and horror, but with no sadistic or sexualised threat.
|