BBFC - Miss Miller

BBFC
The BBFC stands for the 'British board of film classification'. They are a trusted guide to media content. There aims as an independent, self financing media content regulators are to protect the public (mainly children) from contact that might raise harm risk. Additionally they want to empower the public, especially parents, to make informed viewing choices.  Furthermore, they aim to recognize and respect the adult freedom of choice within the law. They give age classifications to films, blue-rays, video games, videos and adverts.

The BBFC encourages feedback from the public, and responds to every letter or email they get and give a rational explanation for its decision on the age rating. This makes the BBFC very trustworthy which is an important aspect to them.

Age classifications


The U stands for universal, this means that the film should be suitable for audiences aged four and over. Although saying this, some scenes may upset a particular child, especially if there at the lower end of the age category. Therefore it is up to the child's parent to decide if it content is suitable.
Films that are suitable for children under four are also given the U classification, however they give them a special BBFCinsight stating they are particularly suitable for under fours.
The infrequent use of bad language is allowed in this age classification for example 'damn'. There would be no overt focus on sexual behaviour, however there may be kissing and cuddling and some slight sexual references. Brief scenes of violence are allowed or moments where characters are put into danger, but these are quickly resolved, mostly with reassuring elements such as music.
Films with a U rating can explore a large variety of themes as long as appropriate. Generally, the films will enforce a positive message about friendship, honesty or loyalty.

An example of a U age classification is island of lemurs: Madagascar 

This is an animated film with lots of bright colouring which appeals to children. The content of this film Is none which would offend or harm. There may be the breeding of the lemurs mentioned, however there is no sexual content which could offend. The cast includes Morgan Freeman who is a well known voice and is highly valued in his industry. The purpose of this film is to inform we know this as it is a documentary, therefore it would be good for young children as it would encourage them to learn new things. The narrative film takes the audience on a journey of how the cast away lemurs, who arrived island of Madagascar millions of years ago, evolved into many diverse species. However, it goes into how they are becoming highly endangered. It shows how Dr. Patricia is spending her life trying save them. The narrative with the films helps younger children have an understanding of whats going on.




This stands for parental guidance which is quite self explanatory. It means the film may be suitable for general viewing but there may be some scenes which younger viewers may find distressing and unsuitable. Generally a PG should not unsettle a child eight years and older. This rating encourages parents to think whether the content may be upsetting for younger or more sensitive children.
Not all PG classified films are aimed at children, for example saving Mr.Banks was mostly enjoyed by adults but the content within is suitable for children eight years plus.
The themes involved in PG's will always be suitable for eight years plus, however can involve some challenging issues such as racism and bullying.
There may be mild bag language used but the context surrounding this and delivery of it is important. Comical and infrequent sexual references are allowed.
An example of a film with the PG rating is up.

The film has a main theme of adventure however does touch on the issue of bullying slightly (when one dog gets left out and victimized by the others). This is only touched on slightly as otherwise it would not fit into the PG age classification. The film is conveying to children to keep promises, where the old man ties balloons to his house to keep his promise to his wife. Also the brightly coloured film makes it appealing to children and the fictional characters are suitable for most ages.
The start of the film is like a mini love story about how Carl and Ellie first fell in love and then married and then spent the rest of Ellie's life together. There is some holding hands and kissing but this is not focused on. And within the content would not harm. We see Ellie in a hospital bed and then it changes scene and we see Carl sitting in the church without Ellie. This makes the audience aware that Ellie has died however there is no dwelling on this.
Following this, Carl meets Russell and they go on an adventure trying to fulfil Ellie's final wish. Along with this story we find out about how Russell's dad is always letting him down and never there for him, there is not a lot of focus on this story but lots of children can relate to this and it makes them feel more emotionally involved with the film.



These films with this classification contain material the is generally not suitable for children under 12.  Under 12's cannot see a 12A film in a cinema, unless they are with an adult. However, when adults are planning to take under 12's to see a 12A they have to consider whether the content of the film will be suitable.  Depending on the manner of which it is used strong language may be in 12A's, also it depends who is using the language and the frequency of it. Additionally there is a minor allowance of puns on strong language. It is very unlikely that discrimination will be in the content of these films. There may be sexual references but only ones suitable for young teens and any sexual scenes will be brief. Detailed violence will not be aloud however moderate violence may be incorporated. There will be not detail into dangerous drugs in these classifications but they may be present. Some horror films will be given the classification 12A but the scenes of horror will be brief and not very frequent.

An example of a 12A is Mary Kom:

This film has been given this age classification as there is moderate violence which could not be suitable for any person under 12, therefore it would be up to he adult to decide whether the content may harm their child. It also has detail to injury which could disturb younger viewers, again it would be up the adult if it's suitable.The theme of this film is about a woman who is striving to achieve her dream, but it dwells on the hardships of achieving this. The film shows her as quite a strong independent woman therefore its encouraging for young people to see this. Some sensitive children could find some of the fighting scenes (Mary Kom is a boxer) upsetting and disturbing, again so the 12A classification means adults can decide. There is quite a lot of skin shown in this film, however with the content of the film it would not harm or offend.




 The difference between the 12A and the 12 classification is that the rule that a child must be accompanied by an adult in a 12A cannot be enforced within a household. Therefore it would be given the 12 classification for DVD/blue ray films. This makes it easier for retailers of DVD/blue rays films as they simply won't sell the film any child under the age of 12.  12's allow much of the same content as 12A's. Infrequent strong language may be used, but it depends on who is using in and the content surrounding the use of strong language. Sexual references suitable for young teens may be used, but the sexual scenes will be brief. There will be no dwelling of blood or injuries, therefore detailed violence is not allowed. Moderate violence may be involved in the classification. Dangerous drugs may be present but there will be no details.
An example of a film with this age classification is The hunger games: mockingjay: part 1
 This film is about the courage and determination of a young woman and how she takes extreme lengths to save her friends and family. Also how she grows as a woman. Although these are quite adult themes, due to the depth of them, they are not violent or sexual and encourage children to do the right thing. The is some violence in this film however it is only moderate and there is no dwelling on injuries or blood. This is why the film is in the 12 age classification and not a 15. The main subject of this film is the actually game. The aim of the game is for the characters to fight to the death and there be one survivor.

The 15 classification means that people under the age of 15 will not be aloud to see a 15 in the cinema, nor buy or rent a 15 film/blue ray. This is because the content of the film will not suitable for children under this age. There are no boundaries on the theme of the film.  Strong language will be aloud in these age classifications as will strong violence. There may also be sexual activity portrayed and strong sexual references. Nudity is also allowed. But there will not be much detail.  Additionally there could be some quick scenes of sexual related violence. Some language and behaviour may be discriminatory. However the films must not endorse this. There will be no encouragement of drug taking however drug use may be seen in these films with a 15 age classification.
An example of a film with this age classification is Lucy:
The theme of this film is quite dark, the girl playing the main character experiences some dangerous circumstances which could upset or disturb some younger viewers.The sexual content and nudity in the film is rated 5 out of 10, this is because sex is implied in some scenes but never seen. And the is no full nudity only men topless and a woman's cleavage. There is some violence and gore which includes shootings, car accidents, a few graphic surgery scenes and detailed speech regarding the pain a man is feeling while being stabbed in the hand. The is moderate bad language used such a names calling and common drug references. Its quite a intense and frightening film, by the suspense built by the main character Lucy as we don't no what is going to happen to her.

Films with an 18 age classification are aimed at adults and the content involved will not be suitable for anyone under 18 years of age. There is not limit on the theme in this age classification as long as the film does not promote any illegal behaviour. This may lead to some of the themes involved being offensive to adult viewers. There are not limitations on the content involved, therefore very strong language will be allowed as will strong violence. This may go into detail about the blood and gore. Strong sexual scenes can be portray and sexual violence may be in the content of these films. Horror is a common theme in 18 age classifications and scenes of horror will be frequent in many of them. Drugs taking may be in these films as well, but the use of the illegal substances will not be promoted. Due to adults being able to choose there own entertainment there are no limitations on the limit of strong language or sexual scenes and references used within the film. Saying this, there can occasionally be cuts to these films. This will happen when the BBFC feel the film is going to endanger us or when the film is in breech of the law.
An example of a film with this age classification is The wolf of wall street:
This film is based on a true story therefore is very realistic to the viewers and makes them feel more part of the film, as there are real issues being dealt with. For this same reason, the topics covered in the realistic film would not be suitable for under 18's. Some of the themes are crime, corruption and federal government. Throughout the films there are many sexual scenes, and common women nudity. There is some male nudity but it is not as common. There is a very controversial issue of women being treated as objects, which makes it highly inappropriate to young children. There a references to sex and prostitution continuously. There is not a massive amount of  violence and gore, but blood is seen in one scene. There is also fight scenes which include some blood. Bad language and derogatory terms are frequently used. Additionally drugs and alcohol are used mostly all the time in the film, there are scenes of drugs being smoked, snorted and injected.





The BBFC allows people to decide the content that the want to view while watching films, this is important otherwise we could be harm and disturbed by watching inappropriate content.
This research into the BBFC age classifications has allowed me to see what content is allowed in each classification as i didn't know before. I now think that my age classification for my film will be a 15 or 18, as a thriller is likely to include content which is not allowed in a 12 or 12A. Such as strong language and violent scenes. If i choose a 15 age classification my opening sequence will have slightly more guidance as to what can be in it, which will help me when producing it. There is going to be no theme restrictions but there would be no detail into nudity as it is not allowed in a 15 age classifcation. I would not have nudity in my opening sequence due to it no being suitable therefore an 18 age classification is not really needed.