Regulation Research

After looking at the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) I have been able to declare an age for my film, that being 18 because of violent torture to a female incapable of defending herself.

Brief outline of who the BBFC are http://www.bbfc.co.uk/download/guidelines/BBFC%20Classification%20Guidelines%202009.pdf

Parts of the BBFC that re relevent to my film

The Obscene Publications Act

1959 & 1964

It is illegal to publish a work which is

obscene. A work is obscene if, taken

as a whole, it has a tendency to

deprave and corrupt (ie, make

morally bad) a significant proportion

of those likely to see it. However, no

offence is committed if publication

is justified as being for the public

good on the grounds that it is in the

interests of science, art, literature

or learning or other

The Obscene Publications Act has made me realise I need to tone down some of the torture ideas I have for the film. I cannot be as explicit I thought as I need to meet the BBFC guidelines

Consumer Advice is a brief

description of the content which

determined the classification

of a film, DVD or video game.

As well as noting particular issues

such as violence, sex, language,

drugs or any other matters likely to

be of concern, it can also highlight

themes, such as suicide, or contexts,

such as comedy or fantasy, which can

influence the strength of the material.

At the junior categories Consumer

Advice can also warn of behaviour

which may be potentially harmful if

copied, or highlight content, such as

characters in dangerous situations,

which might frighten or upset

younger viewers.

Consumer Advice indicates the

strength of individual issues by using

the terms ‘mild’, ‘moderate’, ‘strong’

and ‘very strong’, across the

categories. For example, language

at ‘U’ and ‘PG’ is likely to be ‘mild’

while at ‘15’ and ‘18’ language can

be ‘strong’ and ‘very strong’. Where

relevant, the frequency with which

the issue appears in the work is

also indicated.

Consumer Advice

The BBFC’s Consumer Advice enables

the public to make informed choices

about the films, DVDs and interactive

works available to them.

After reading the consumers advice, I now know that I need to warn people of the violence and language used in the film. I will do this by following the Consumer advice and having a small box on the back of the DVD suggesting the levels of violence, language, drug use and sexual activity.

Main Issue:

Horror

The use of frightening elements

which might scare or unsettle an

audience is part of a long tradition of

story telling and film making. Many

children enjoy the excitement of

scary sequences, but, where films

are targeted at a younger audience,

classification decisions will take into

account such factors as the frequency,

length and detail of scary scenes as

well as horror effects, including

music and sound, and whether there

is a swift and reassuring outcome.

Older audiences often pay to see

horror films because they like being

frightened or shocked and such works

are classified at an appropriate

category to ensure that the young

and vulnerable are protected.

Language

Many people are offended, some of

them deeply, by bad language. This

may include the use of expletives

with a sexual, religious or racial

association, offensive language about

minority groups and commonly

understood rude gestures. The extent

of that offence may vary according to

age, gender, race, background,

beliefs and expectations brought by

viewers to the work, as well as the

context in which the word, expression

or gesture is used.

For these reasons, it is impossible to

set out comprehensive lists of words,

expressions or gestures which are

acceptable at each category. The

advice at different classification

levels, therefore, provides general

guidance taking account of the views

expressed in public consultation

exercises.

Violence

Violence has always been a feature of

entertainment for children and adults.

Classification decisions will take

account of the degree and nature of

any violence in a work

Works which feature the following

are likely to receive more restrictive

classifications: portrayal of violence

as a normal solution to problems,

heroes who inflict pain and injury,

callousness towards victims, the

encouragement of aggressive

attitudes, and content which depicts

characters taking pleasure in pain

or humiliation.

Sexualised violence or works which

glorify or glamorise violence will

receive a more restrictive

classification and may even be cut.

A strict policy on sexual violence and

rape is applied. Content which might

eroticise or endorse sexual violence

may require cuts at any classification

level. This is more likely with video

works than film because of the

potential for replaying scenes out

of context. Any association of sex with

non-consensual restraint, pain or

humiliation may be cut.

From reading this I have to make sure if I was to classify my film at a younger age I would have to meet this guidline, however with my film being 18 rated I can get away with alot more violence and scary scenes. Again, If I was to classify my film a lower rating such as 15 I would have to make sure I meet the lanaguage guidelines. In a 15 I couldnt have much language consisting of racisim or sexism, the same with some of the very powerful swear words.

The British Board of Film

Classification (BBFC) is an

independent, non-governmental body

funded through the fees it charges to

those who submit films and video

works for classification. Here, and

throughout the Guidelines, video

works are taken to include video

games, and films and programmes

released on DVD or Blu-ray, or

distributed by means of download

or streaming on the internet.