BBFC Ratings

BBFC Ratings-

At the start of a horror film there is an age rating to say what the producer and director thought would be the youngest appropriate age for their film. The overall tone of a film and the way it makes the audience feel may affect the classification. What also affects the classification is what is actually seen in the film such as if their is violence it depends on the actual visual that the audience sees would determine the classification. Below I have written an explanation for each and what I believe our filming BBFC Rating would be. 

12/12A Age Rating-
The 12A requires an adult The 12A requires an adult to accompany any child under 12 seeing a 12A film at the cinema. BBFC considers the content of 12A rated films to be suitable for children aged 12 and over, and we would not recommend taking very young children to see them. Films classified at these categories may upset children under 12 or contain material which many parents will find unsuitable for them. The BBFC's Guidelines state that strong language (e.g. 'f***') may be passed at 12 or 12A, depending on the manner in which it is used, and the frequency of the strong language used throughout. There is some allowance for puns on strong language at this category. There may be moderate language (e.g. uses of terms such as ‘bitch’ and ‘twat’ at 12 or 12A).Any discriminatory language or behaviour will not be endorsed by the work as a whole. Aggressive discriminatory language (for example homophobic or racist terms) is unlikely to be passed at 12A or 12. At 12A, moderate violence is allowed but not in detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if they can be justified. Action sequences and weapons may be present at 12A or 12, and there may be long fight scenes or similar. Weapons such as knives which are easily accessible may not be glamourised. Sexual violence, such as scenes of rape or assault, may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated at 12A and 12. Some horror films are passed at this category such as films that include moderate physical and psychological threat as long as horror sequences are not too frequent and the overall tone is not disturbing. Dangerous behaviour (for example hanging and suicide) may be present in 12A or 12 films but not in detail which could be copied. There may be infrequent sight of drugs misuse in a 12A or a 12 but the portrayal should not be glamorised.

 (12 age rating symbol)

(12A age rating symbol)

15 Age Rating-

No-one under 15 is allowed to see a 15 film at the cinema. No theme is prohibited as long as it is appropriate for 15 year olds.

Any of the following are allowed in 15 Age Rating films:

•   strong violence
•  frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***').
•   portrayals of sexual activity
•   strong verbal references to sex
•   sexual nudity
•   brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence
•   discriminatory language or behaviour
•   drug taking

In 15 age rating films there is no limit on the number of uses of strong language (e.g. ‘f***’). Occasionally there may be uses of the strongest terms (e.g. 'c***'), depending on the manner in which they are used, who is using the language, its frequency. However, continued or aggressive use will not normally be passed. There may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language, and the film could explore themes relating to this. At 15 sexual activity can be portrayed, but usually without detail. Some sex scenes can be quite long at this category. Though nudity may be allowed in a sexual context there will usually be no strong detail. There can be strong references to sex and sexual behaviour, but especially strong or crude references are unlikely to be acceptable. At 15 violence may be strong. At 15 there can be strong threat and horror as long as there is no focus on sadistic or sexualised threat. Dangerous behaviour such as hanging, suicide and self-harming should not dwell on detail which could be copied.

(15 Age Rating symbol)

18 Age Rating symbol-

Films rated 18 are for adults. No-one under 18 is allowed to see an 18 film. No theme is prohibited at 18. Adults are free to choose their own entertainment provided the material is not illegal or potentially harmful. 

18 films are for adults and can contain strong issues such as:

•   very strong violence
•   frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***') and / or very strong language (e.g. ‘c***’)
•   strong portrayals of sexual activity
•   scenes of sexual violence
•   strong horror
•   strong blood and gore
•   real sex (in some circumstances)
•   discriminatory language and behaviour

There is no limit on the number of uses of strong (e.g. 'f***') or even very strong language (e.g. ‘c***’) which can be passed at 18. There may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language at 18, and the work could explore themes relating to discrimination. There can be strong and detailed portrayals of sex at 18, including full nudity. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. At 18 violence can be strong and be portrayed with strong detail. At 18, horror films may contain very strong horror, gore or sustained threat.

Our film rating-

Looking at the descriptions of each age rating I think our opening sequence BBFC rating would be an 18, as the language we use in our opening sequence is strong. We also would include that the girl was raped by this man if we were filming the whole film. We would include aspects of drugs and alcohol, even in our opening sequence the girl is smoking, which could be seen as glamourising it. There is scenes foreshadowing sexual activity. The weapons/medical instruments we use would be classed as an 18. Furthermore, the storyline is very disturbing and can be difficult to watch by anyone younger then 18. Therefore I decided using the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) website that our opening sequence would be rated 18.