Regulation Research

As we are thinking of classifying our film as a 15 i needed to do some regulation research, so i went on the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) website to find out what i could and couldnt put in a 15.

The BBFC Guidelines



The BBFC or British Board of Film Classification is an independent, non-governmental body, which has exercised responsibilities over cinema for more than ninety years, and over video since 1985.

They classify every film taking into account content, language and genre and UK law. They are classified with either; U (universal), PG (parental guidence), 12/12A in cinemas (only suitable for 12 or above/ 12A must be accompanied by an adult if under 12), 15, 18 or 18R (restricted)

These guidelines are put in place so people know what the film is likely to include or at least have an idea and stop people from being offended etc at the content.

Works which feature: 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 are likely to receive a higher certificate. 

The BBFC have a strict policy on sexual violence and rape. Content which might eroticise or endorse sexual violence may require cuts at any classification level. Any association of sex with non-consensual restraint, pain or humiliation may be cut.

Here are the guidelines for a 15 certificate film...
Discrimination

The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory

language or behaviour.

Drugs

Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not

promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily

accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example,

aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.

Horror

Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic

or sexualised.

Imitable behaviour

Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and

self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be

copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

Language

There may be frequent use of strong language (for example,

‘fuck’). The strongest terms (for example, ‘cunt’) may be

acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated

use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.

Nudity

Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without

strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a

non-sexual or educational context.

Sex

Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail.

There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour,

but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable

unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is

sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.

Theme

No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is

appropriate for 15 year olds.

Violence

Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction

of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to

be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also

unlikely to be acceptable.

There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence

but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and

have a strong contextual justification.

The genre of our film is crime/gangster which means our film is going to have violence, bad language, drugs, maybe sex/nudity, discrimination and bad behaviour.

These guidelines will help us limit what is in our film to make it appropriate.


By doing this research i have learnt exactly what i can and cant put in my 2 minute film opening.
We will incorporate these guidelines into our 2 minute film introduction. 
In our opening we are going see our main protagonist Dan and beat someone up, so with the guidelines in place we will be able to show the characters fighting and our main character beat the other character to the floor unconscious, but we wont be able to dwell on the character who has been beaten up's injuries or the fact he is unconscious. We will also may hear our main protagonist using bad language but at the worst we will only use the word 'fuck' and not overstate it or use it very frequently.