Age Classification

The age rating of a film is a very important aspect to consider, and needs a lot of thought in order to get it right. People can be strongly offended from the contents in a film or television programme, so the age classification must be correct in order to prevent any complaints or offend anyone.

'U'

This means universal and that the film is suitable for all ages above four. Although it is impossible to predict what will upset particular children, a 'U' film is supposed to have a positive outlook and not contain any violence, horror, drugs, imitable behaviour, bad language, nudity or sex. This is so that it can be shown to any age group above four without any threat of upsetting the audience. As our film is a thriller, which is not suitable for young children, due to it's psychological aspect and violent/upsetting nature of the death of the baby. 

PG'

This means that there must be a parental guidance with any children who are watching the film. It gives the parents an option for themselves to decide if the content of a 'PG' film is suitable for their children or not. If there is any drug use within a 'PG' it must, usually, hold a strong anti-drug message. Any horror aspects should not be long within the film and not to a very strong content. There must only be very mill bad language within a 'PG' film in order for it to be suitable. There may be some 'natural nudity' but it must not have any sexual context. If violence occurs, it must not be too detailed and must be moderate. A 'PG' rating is also not suitable for our film, as the horror and violent aspect, once again, will not fit the standards or be suitable. 

 

12/12A

This mean that the film is suitable for those 12 years and over. The content within may be upsetting for those under the age of 12, and many parents may agree with this, so therefore justifying this rating. In some circumstances however, parents may decide, that for their children, a 12 film may be suitable even if they are under 12, giving the parent a choice to show the film to their children or not in their company, although they will not be able to purchase or rent a 12A/12 if they are under 12 years of age.If there is any use of drugs, it must not occur often or be glamorised in any way. There may be some mild horror aspects, but not too frequent or disturbing. Any imitable behaviour such as suicide or self-harming, must not be in too much detail or appear harm free. Nudity is allowed, but the sexual context must be brief. Some, moderate language is permitted. violence is also permitted but should not contain too much detail. We have also decided that the thriller genre is not suitable for this age rating, and needs to be a higher rating. Some parts of our film could be considered as disturbing.

'15'

This age rating is for 15 year olds and over only, and anyone under 15 is not allowed to watch a 15 rated film.  Drug use is allowed to appear in the film, but must not promote the use of drugs in anyway. A high amount of horror can be used, but should not be sadistic or sexulised. Imitable behaviour is also allowed but must not dwell or hold too much detail.The use of strong language can be used. Nudity and sexual context is allowed, but can't be in too much detail. violence can be strong and can be used, but should not dwell on pain or infliction. We have decided that this will be the age rating we will use for our film. We feel as though it meets the needs of our content, and will be suitable for those 15 and over. Although it does have some disturbing features, it is not quite to the extent of an 18 rated film. 

'18'

This suitable for those over the age of 18 only. No one under 18 can watch, rent or see at the cinema a 18 rated film. The BBFC's public consultations and the Human Rights Act 1998, at '18' the BBFC's guideline concerns will not normally override the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the following:

• Where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence.
• Where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context.
• Where the material appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or to society.

An 18 rated film can contain reasonable amount of horror and gore, violence, sexual context, drug use and imitable behaviour (as long as it is presented in the right way). We decided that our film didn't quite fit into the 18 age rating as it is not that explicit and can be shown to the ages between 15 and 18.