Assignment 7: BBFC & Ratings

Katia Martins

Patrycia Butrym

Gelsomina De Lucia

“Gravity”- Summary

• I identified violence and themes and rated it a 12A.

• BBFC Examiners identified threat, violence and themes and also rated it a 12A.

• After reading the reasons for this rating I now realise why threat is an issue there is clear moderate threat and a growing sense of tension throughout the trailer.

“12 Years a Slave” - Summary

• I have rated this a 12A which was correct

• One thing iv’e learnt from this is that because trailers dont show the violent parts too much thst makes bbfc rate it lower than the actual film itself.

‘Mandela Long Walk to Freedom’ - Summary

• After watching the trailer, there were a selection a categories which determine which age the audience for the trailer can be.

• Then there was a drop box where you had to chose which age you personally thought it the trailer was.

• In the trailer, I identified the following issues:

• However, the BBFC noticed that there was a use of weapons which I personally thought was not obvious to point out.

• I learnt that just because we see actions of violence, it does not classify the trailer to be of a higher age restriction as we did not see any blood.

• I also learnt that it is not the references which make the age restriction what it is but what is shown.

Summary

BBFC Rating “U”

What does U mean?• The U symbol stands for Universal.• A U film is suitable for audiences aged 4 years and over.

Bad language in a U film?• At U they only allow a minimum use of very mild bad language (e.g. “damn” and “hell”).

Sexual behaviour in a U film?• Characters may kissing or cuddle and there may be references to sexual behaviour. • There will be no over focus on sexual behaviour, language or innuendo.

Violence or threat in a U film?• Violence will generally be very mild. • A U film may include brief fight scenes or moments where characters are placed in

danger. • The ‘Baddie’ characters may carry or use weapons.

Will there be references to drugs?• At U there will not normally be references to illegal drugs or drugs misuse unless there

is a very clear anti-drugs or educational message which will be understood by a younger audience.

• Discrimination – Only acceptable for an educational historical context. Discrimination within the characters which children can readily identify is unlikely to be accepted.

• Drugs - If illegal drugs do show it must

be innocuous or carry out a anti-drug

message.

• Horror - Terrifying scenes should not be long or intense. Fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor.

• Imitable behaviour – Do not show dangerous behaviour that young children are more likely to copy. No realistic or easily accessible weapons.

• Language – Mild bad language only.

• Sex & Nudity – Natural nudity without sexual context. Any sexual activity should be discreet & infrequent. Mild sex references and innuendo only.

• Themes - In more serious issues nothing in their treatment should include

unacceptable behaviour.

• Violence - Violence without detail is allowed, only

if justified by its context ( EG: Example, History etc)

This stands for:Parental Guidance - General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children.

• A PG film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older BUT, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.

BBFC Rating “PG”

General Information • No one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult.

• However, accompanied viewing cannot be maintained at home, so the 12 certificate remains for DVD/Blu-ray, rather than the 12A.

Language• The BBFC's Guidelines state that strong language such as F*** may be passed at 12 or 12A,

depending on the manner in which it is used.

Discrimination• Aggressive discriminative language (for example homophobic or racist terms) is unlikely to be

passed at 12A or 12 unless it is clearly condemned.

Sex• Sex may be briefly and discreetly portrayed at 12A or 12.

Violence• At 12A, moderate violence is allowed. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but some

gory moments are allowed if reason.

Dangerous Behaviour • Dangerous behaviour (for example hanging and suicide) may be present in 12A or 12 works but will

not dwell on detail as children can copy the actions.

BBFC Rating “12 & 12A”

Difference To American Rating

• American trailers are rated by the “Motion Picture Association Of America” (MPAA) whilst the British films are rated by the “British Board Of Film Classification”(BBFC).

• The green card shows that the trailer has been approved to be shown to all audiences. Which may include limitations on foul language and violent, sexual, or otherwise objectionable imagery.

• The red card demonstrates Trailers that do not adhere to these guidelines may be issued a red band, which indicates approval for only "restricted" or "mature" audiences. These trailers may include nudity, profanity or other material deemed inappropriate for children.

Difference to American rating

• American trailers are rated by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) ( UK – BBFC ).

• Rating cards appear at the beginning of a trailer in the USA to show how the trailer adheres to the MPAA’s standards.

Rating Cards =

Green – Indicates that its for all type of audience

• These trailers are suitable for everyone and do not include any restricted content that would be inappropriate.

Red - Restricted or Mature audience.

• These trailers may include nudity, profanity or other material deemed inappropriate for children.

Difference to American rating

• This card indicates that the trailer has been approved for "all audiences”.• These trailers include limitations on bad language and violent or sexual images.

• This card indicates approval for only "restricted" or "mature" audiences. • These trailers may include nudity, offensive language or other things which are not appropriate for a child audience.

Difference to American rating

Advantage Disadvantage

• This is easy to identify visually and immediately who can watch the trailer.

• However, this can have a disadvantage because there is no age restriction or limit to the band colours so a 16 year old can watch a red band as they think they are mature enough for the trailer.

Rate 3 Trailers

• Sex Tape (2014)- 15

• Strong sex references

• Very strong language

Drug use- they take illegal drugs. Nudity- clothing is not appropriate for all ages.

Nudity- the couple are not fully dressed

Rate 3 Trailers

• UP (2009)-U

• Contains mild threat

Bad weather lightening can be frightening as the characters were put into a dangerous situation.

The dogs shown in the trailer are ferocious and can be scary as the characters were put into dangerous situations.

Rate 3 Trailers

• The Fault In Our Stars (2014)-12A

• Terminal illness theme

• Strong language

Theme- terminal illness is a theme in this trailer which may make certain audiences emotional as they are real life situations.

Blended – PG

Sex & Nudity –Natural nudity without sexual context

Language – Mild bad language, characters said “butthole”

Violence - Violence without detail is allowed, so therefore we hear the tiger eating the animal but nothing is shown except the facial expressions which indicates that.

Rate 3 Different Trailers

Sexual activity is briefly and discreetly portrayed. Sex references are not goingbeyond what is suitable for young teenagers.

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

Violence - Moderate violence is allowed butits not dwell on detail. There is no emphasis on injuries or blood.

Imitable behaviour - Easily accessible weapons should not be glamourised as shown in this scene because its only playing for seconds.

The Boy Next Door – 12a

Rate 3 Different Trailers

Violence - Moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail as shown in this scene. There is no emphasis on injuries or blood

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

Neighbors – 12A

Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. This clip is only shown a few seconds.

Dangerous behavior should not dwell on detail which isn’t and doesnt show any blood.

Rate 3 Different Trailers

Rate 3 Different TrailersDracula Untold – PG 13

• There is a use of weapons which are used but there is no blood.

• There is kissing which is considered to be slightly sexual however not overly sexual.

• Puddle of blood which is considered as violence.

•Image of nudity which would be under the sex category but it isn't graphic to be a 15 rating.

Rate 3 Different TrailersHorns – 12

• Kissing scene which is suitable as it is not to explicit.

• Showing weapon but it isn’t used.

• Violent scenes throughout the whole trailer.

• Scene of nudity and sex.

Rate 3 Different TrailersTwo Night Stand – PG

• The trailer is full of references to sex but we don’t see anything from kissing to nudity.