Ages certificates and the BBFC- Miss Georgiou

The bbfc (British board of film classification) is a non profit organisation set up with the sole purpose to protect the public, particularly children from harmful content within film. As children we are susceptible to what we see and hear on the television and so the bbfc was put in pace in order to protect us (using age cartificates, U, PG, 12A, 12, 15, 18,) from harmful themes such as drug use, violence and gambling that we may see on television.


U
The first age certificate is U. Standing for universal, it means that any film given this certificate should be appropriate for audiences over four years old. However it is just a guideline for the older years as some older viewers may still find it distressing. An example of a U film is The Smurfs realised in 2011, a clip of which can bee seen bellow. Its absence of themes such as inappropriate language, sexual references and drug use make it applicable to audience of that nature. This can be seen at 0.23-0.24 seconds into the bellow clip. Where when Smurfette uses the words 'mean' and 'old' when referring to the film antagonist, as opposed to more stronger language.

PG
Next is PG. The bbfc say that PG or parental guidance is suitable for general veiwing and should be appropriate for more older children (eight and above) however unlike the U certificate more younger viewers may find some scenes upsetting or adults may not want their children viewing them as mild bad language can be used if given in a context deemed acceptable. For example 'shit' may be used if it isn't used in a aggressive manner. However phrases such as "shut up" and "you poor, stupid guy" and said by the Lorax throughout the film 'the Lorax' and has been given a PG rating.

12 and 12A
12 means that anyone the age of 12 or over can be permitted to watch the film unaccompanied. However if a film is 12A it means that they have to be accompanied, with the 'A' being a reference to adult (anyone over the age of 18). infrequent uses of strong language such a f*ck and tw*t are allowed and discreet, brief portrays of sex references are allowed if they are deemed suitable for young teenagers. Examples of 12 and 12A films include 'RED' being rated a 12 for the violence and language used. And 'spider man' being a 12A due to reference of the phrase "pissed me off' in a aggressive manner by the Green Goblin during the final battle scene,  meaning that the film was unable to reach its initial target market of pre teen comic book fans.

15
If a film is rated 15 it means it is not applicable for anyone under the age of 15 to view the film. The jump from a 12A to a 15 is a big one with much more being allowed including drug taking, sexual nudity, and strong verbal references to sex. With no limit on the amount of times strong language is permitted 15 films are able to freely use words such as f*uk as much as they want, as long as they are not endorsing them in any way. The occasional use of the strongest terms, e.g c*unt are also allowed, if used in the correct context (not being used aggressively). An example of a 15 certificate film would be friends with benefit (a clip of which can be seen bellow) as it features strong sexual references throughout, some of which can be seen at the start of the bellow clip,  and strong language that would be indecent for audiences under 15 years.

18
Everything is allowed to be show within a 18 film without restrictions as because if you are at this age or above you are an adult and so you are allowed to choose your own entertainment within the law. Scenes you should expect to be shown in an 18 are consistent use of strong/vary strong language, strong portrayals of sexual activity (in some circumstances, real sex) and discriminatory language and behaviour that some viewers may find offensive. Lock stock and two smoking barrels is a common example of a 18 rated film. Its strong consistent use of language and violence is inappropriate for younger viewers as it glamorises these themes in a way that that the younger viewers may find attractive, and some may find scenes distressing. where illegal gambling is prominent throughout the clip and strong language is used at 2.54.

My research into age certificates has helped in my thriller opening preparation as i now now what is allowed in order for my thriller to be accessible to my target audience of teens as i aim for my thriller to be classed appropriate for audiences aged 12. This allows my film to be viewed be a larger target audience. However for it to be made available for my chosen audience it must not have frequent use of strong language.                                                                    






Information came from http://www.bbfc.co.uk