BBFC film regulation
Film regulation and the BBFC - blog tasks:
1) Research the BBFC in more detail: what is the institution responsible for? How is it funded? What link does it have to government?
The BBFC is responsible for age ratings on movies, series, and other productions that could potentially contain images or scenes that are harmful for certain ages.
2) Read this BBFC guide to how films are rated. Summarise the process in 50 words.
First, Compliance Officers normally view DVD submissions on their own – called solo viewing and then follow that with different types of viewing that reflect cinematic or at-home viewing in order to accurately reproduce the effect that sound levels and special effects will have on the cinema audience. DVDs are viewed in the BBFC's viewing rooms on plasma screens, to recreate the 'home viewing' experience. With films that are in other languages, and there are no subtitles, the BBFC will use an interpreter who will sit alongside the team. The film is judged on general context - plot, characters, outline of individual scenes, timings of key moments, including camera angles, type of shots, on- and off-screen moments and bad language, sex and drug references and so on. If a work as a whole is unacceptable, it can be rejected, but this happens only on rare occasions.
3) Read this BBFC outline of the issues faced when classifying a film. Summarise the debate in 50 words.
If a film is deemed harmful for certain audiences because of bad language, sexual scenes, or violence they have to minimise the age ratings to over 15 instead of 12. The film should b e allowed to reach the maximum amount of audiences but they have to be restricted if it contains too much offensive content, or if the work has a generally dark or unsettling tone that may disturb the audience at that level, then it may receive a more restrictive rating.
4) Read this BBFC section on controversial decisions. Why did The Dark Knight generate a large amount of media coverage regarding its certificate? Do you agree with the 12A certificate The Dark Knight was awarded?
The public thought the violence was too strong to be contained at that category and that young people shouldn't be exposed to such content.
5) What are the guidelines for a 15 certificate?
The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour, although there may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory themes and language. Drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse (for example, through instructional detail). The misuse of easily accessible, dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable. Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Whether the depiction of easily accessible weapons is acceptable will depend on factors such as realism, context and setting.There may be strong language. Very strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using the language, its frequency within the work as a whole and any special contextual justification. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. There may be nudity in a sexual context but usually without strong detail.Sexual activity may be portrayed, but usually without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.There may be strong threat and horror. A sustained focus on sadistic or sexual threat is unlikely to be acceptable.Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but the depiction of sexual violence must be discreet and justified by context.
6) The BBFC website offers an explanation of every classification it makes and detailed case studies on selected titles. Look at the rating for Chicken and explain why it was given a 15 certificate.
The details explain that because it includes very strong language, strong violence, and sex references, it is rated a 15. As mentioned in the previous question, the intensity of the offensive and harmful content is not as harsh as it could have been which is why it's not an 18.
1) Research the BBFC in more detail: what is the institution responsible for? How is it funded? What link does it have to government?
The BBFC is responsible for age ratings on movies, series, and other productions that could potentially contain images or scenes that are harmful for certain ages.
2) Read this BBFC guide to how films are rated. Summarise the process in 50 words.
First, Compliance Officers normally view DVD submissions on their own – called solo viewing and then follow that with different types of viewing that reflect cinematic or at-home viewing in order to accurately reproduce the effect that sound levels and special effects will have on the cinema audience. DVDs are viewed in the BBFC's viewing rooms on plasma screens, to recreate the 'home viewing' experience. With films that are in other languages, and there are no subtitles, the BBFC will use an interpreter who will sit alongside the team. The film is judged on general context - plot, characters, outline of individual scenes, timings of key moments, including camera angles, type of shots, on- and off-screen moments and bad language, sex and drug references and so on. If a work as a whole is unacceptable, it can be rejected, but this happens only on rare occasions.
3) Read this BBFC outline of the issues faced when classifying a film. Summarise the debate in 50 words.
If a film is deemed harmful for certain audiences because of bad language, sexual scenes, or violence they have to minimise the age ratings to over 15 instead of 12. The film should b e allowed to reach the maximum amount of audiences but they have to be restricted if it contains too much offensive content, or if the work has a generally dark or unsettling tone that may disturb the audience at that level, then it may receive a more restrictive rating.
4) Read this BBFC section on controversial decisions. Why did The Dark Knight generate a large amount of media coverage regarding its certificate? Do you agree with the 12A certificate The Dark Knight was awarded?
The public thought the violence was too strong to be contained at that category and that young people shouldn't be exposed to such content.
5) What are the guidelines for a 15 certificate?
The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour, although there may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory themes and language. Drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse (for example, through instructional detail). The misuse of easily accessible, dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable. Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Whether the depiction of easily accessible weapons is acceptable will depend on factors such as realism, context and setting.There may be strong language. Very strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using the language, its frequency within the work as a whole and any special contextual justification. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. There may be nudity in a sexual context but usually without strong detail.Sexual activity may be portrayed, but usually without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.There may be strong threat and horror. A sustained focus on sadistic or sexual threat is unlikely to be acceptable.Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but the depiction of sexual violence must be discreet and justified by context.
The details explain that because it includes very strong language, strong violence, and sex references, it is rated a 15. As mentioned in the previous question, the intensity of the offensive and harmful content is not as harsh as it could have been which is why it's not an 18.
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