Film regulation and the BBFC

 1) Research the BBFC in more detail. This BBFC Wikipedia page may help.

• What is the institution responsible for?  Regulating films
• How is it funded? Service fees
• What link does it have to government? Works closely to government to implement rules but it is still a voluntary regulator

2) Read this BBFC summary to Age Ratings and the BBFC classification guidelines. 

Write a paragraph about each of the different ratings:

• U - This stands for universal meaning anyone can watch it. Content featured in U films focus on a positive frame work and always counterbalances any violence meaning most children won't be disrupted due to the film. There could be potential anti social behaviour however there is no drugs or discrimination and ect.
• PG This rating shows that the film would not be unsettling for children around the age of 8 but parents should we aware that the film maybe unsettling and contain sensitive content. There may be nudity without sexual scenes, historical discrimination and violence would be mild.
• 12A/12 People under 12 cannot view the film at cinemas but with the 12A rating they can watch the film with an adult. In this case, the adult should decide whether the child is suitable to watch the film by looking at the BBFC website and the reasons for it's classification. There may be dangerous behaviour and drugs wont be glamourised.
• 15 No one under 15 can watch or buy a film (DVD) as there may be dangerous behaviour, discrimination, crude references, drug usage, sex and extreme threats.
• 18 No one younger than 18 can view films that are rated 18. This may contain criminal activity that is real or strong, sexual scenes.

3) Select ONE of the A Level BBFC case studies. Explain why it received its certificate in relation to each of the considerations: Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) 12A

• dangerous behaviour - Hand to hand fights, weapons and blades. 
• discrimination - No discrimination
• drugs - Use of alcohol 
• language - Use of bad language for a comedic effect
• nudity - None
• sex - Mild sex refrences
• sexual violence - Suggestions of seduction to distract them and gain information
• suicide and self harm - None
• threat and horror - The main characters are often found in life threatening scenarios 
• violence - Hand to hand fights, weapons and blades. This is not too extreme or realistic as it is sci-fi.

4) Go to the rate a trailer section - choose THREE trailers and rate them.

Write the name of the film, what your rating was, and how it compared to the BBFC.

Superman:

My rating: 12A

BBFC rating: 12A

Black Widow:

My rating: 12A

BBFC rating: 12A

Cruella: 

My rating: 12A

BBFC rating: 12A

5) What are the guidelines for a 12A certificate - Blinded By The Light's cinema certificate (it was rated 12 for its home video release)?

Racist language and behaviour as well as moderate bad language.

6) The BBFC website offers an explanation of every classification it makes and detailed case studies on selected titles. Look at the rating for Blinded By The Light and explain why it was given a 12A certificate for cinema release.

Bad language such as "wanker" and "bloody hell". There is also discrimination when the main character is spat on by a racist but this language is not condoned.