BBFC Tasks.

-What type of institution is the BBFC?

An independent organisation which classify films.

- The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is an independent body which was originally established by the film industry in 1912. They monitor the media and classify the media

- How are they funded?

The BBFC are funded purely by the services they provide. Which involves classifying, banning and cutting films.

- The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is an independent body employing about 65 people altogether and funded by the fees charged for the classification of up to 13,000 films, videos and video games every year.

- What are their primary roles?

The BBFC's primary roles involve regulating films, DVD's, video games in a manner which maintains the support and confidence of the industry and the public. BBFC's role is to monitor every film and video game, also television dramas distributed on DVD. The BBFC are in charge of censoring an issuing age limits on a particular genre.

- Select 3 case studies relating to film and discuss the issues involved; Why do the films receive its allocated classification? Do you agree with this decision?

The BBFC stands for British Board of Film Classification and was established by the film industry in 1912. Local authorities were held responcerble for what was shown in cinema and from early on accepted the decisions of the BBFC. The benefits of having a central independant body brings consistency to the classification process, and they take responcerbility for all decisions. 

This is a brief explanation of film classifications;

U ceritificate. 

should be suitable for ages four and over. Reassuring counterbalances should be given for any violence or horror. 

PG

General viewing, some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. A PG film should not disturb a child of 8 years and over however parents are advised to consider whether to let their children watch the films.  

12/12A.

The same criteria is used to classify works at 12 and 12A.  The material is suitable for those aged 12 and over. Material may be unsuitable or inappropriate for children under 12. 

12A is used only for cinema films. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Responsebility of kids under the recommended aged watching the films lies with the parent/guardian. 

15.

No one under the age of 15 can watch a film rated 15 in the cinema, or rent a film.

18. 

No one under the age of 15 can watch a film rated 15 in the cinema, or rent a film.

Case Study - Juno (12)

Juno was rated 12 by the BBFC for infrequent strong language, moderate sex references and brief sight of a gory scene from an old horror movie. When making their recommendations examiners also discussed the film’s tone, likely appeal and audience, and the treatment of the theme of teenage pregnancy. 

The use of strong language was not directed at anyone neither was it used often through out the film therefore it was considered as "infrequent". Though the sex references werent moderate and highly comical, it was still sex frequently in the film but teenagers who the audience for this film for could relate to the movie. The only sex scene in Juno was vague and discrete with the audience only seeing a pair of knickers, the audience can comprehend what was happening in the scene and though it was only brief.

The film was in the guidelines of 12A and passed and was nominated for Oscar nominations

Case Study - Drag me to Hell (15)

Drag me to Hell was rated '15'. It is a horror film about a young female loans officer who is cursed by an elderly gypsy woman,and has to subsequently vanquish a demonic spirit. It was given 15 due to strong violence and horror, however not deemed brutal enough to push it up to an 18,despite some horrific scenes. The reason it was rated '15' as apposed to '18' is probably because there is no swearing, drug use or sexual behaviour. It earns its certificate purely on its gory images and scary scenes.


Case Study- The Ring (12).


The ring is a film made in 2002. It is a psychological horror. Katie and Becca (16 and 17) discuss a supposedly cursed videotape while home alone at Katie's house. Katie reveals that, seven days before, she went to a cabin at Shelter Mountain Inn with friends, where she viewed the video tape. Again it is a scary horror film but does not include all the conventional themes that result in a higher BBFC certificate. There are scary scenes and characters, and the make up and costumes are used very effectively to highlight this, however there is no shooting, knifing or killing in general, sex or drug use. It is unusual for a horror film to be give a 12 certificate, and this may suggest it can't be that horrific, but it has been able to appeal to all age groups from 12+ and not seem more childish just because of its low BBFC rating.