There is a company that are responsible for the age ratings and securing the recommended age for certain films.
The BBFC are a highly expertise and experienced group of regulators of the moving image, they serve as a social function in society which is to advise and formally protect viewers from moving images and provide public information that empowers them, and their parents, to make appropriate viewing decisions for themselves and those in their care. They also help to protect vulnerable viewers and society from the effects of viewing potentially harmful or unsuitable content while actually respecting the freedom of choice for adults. Age certificates are provided by the BBFC and this is judged by the content displayed what is suitable for that age barrier.
Different age ratings:
U: Starting from the lowest age rating, Universal at full, it is when it is necessarily impossible to predict what might upset any particular child but it should be suitable for audiences age four or over. Films of this category should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring alternatives to any threat, violence or horror.
PG: Parental Guidance needed for films where some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. A PG film should not affect a child around the age of eight or older, however parents are commonly advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.
12: A 12 rated film is the point where they awarded this certificate if their material is suitable enough for those aged 12 or over. Films classified at this age cert may upset children under 12 or contain specific material of which a parent may not risk exposing their child to.
12A: This age certificate is only applied to cinema films in which no one younger than 12 can see the film unless accompanied by an adult.. which is rare in modern reality but anyway. An adult can take a younger child if in the parents opinion the film is suitable for that child, but in such circumstances the responsibility of allowing a child under 12 to watch such product lies with the accompanying adult.
15: This age cert is awarded to content which may have some controversial themes to it, but on the whole, should not be any discrimination, drugs should not be supported but can be used to demote. Violence can be shown but not go into injury and brutality. There may be use of frequents bad language and nudity can be shown, but only where it is appropriate.
18: This age cert is something the BBFC are concerned will normally override the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. For example material may touch upon criminal law and possibly display criminal offence, violent or dangerous acts, illegal drugs can be shown and used but should not be able to cause harm to public health or morals but instead show them the downsides of it.
The 12A rating is an usual one as it only applied to films in cinemas and video works or if shown on television as after a film is shown on screens it may be altered in terms of ratings to suit television viewers. Those under 12 are generally only allowed to watch such products if in the presence of an adult and or parental guardian.
Take the original Spiderman movie with Toby Maguire there are a minority of scenes where it may be unsuitable to viewers and an adult may be required to protect them from these scenes.
Also with X-Men: The Days Of Future Past is a classic example of where there may be some scenes where an adult is needed but most scenes are suitable to children under 12 without an adult, everyone else can obviously watch this.
While making my thriller, from the scenes i conduct i will be considering who will be watching my opening and the type of content that may be suitable to the categorized in the age cert also considering what i do and how i do it. Even if i do use something such as drugs or money and nudity i will have to express it in a way of not revealing too much or not trying to support the act of actually taking part.
There is a basic understanding of age certificates with minimal discussion about the themes expected in each category. There is a minimal range of film examples used.
ReplyDelete- In your age certificates section, ensure you explain the types of themes that viewers may expect to see for each age rating. Provide an example film for each age classification and explain why they have been categorised as such.
- In your 12A section, ensure you explain why this cinema only rating was created (link to Spiderman) and be specific about the types of themes which are deemed as being possibly unsuitable for each of your examples.
- Include a section on thriller ratings.
- Discuss what rating you would give your thriller opening and why. Specifically state the types of themes your would like to include/not include in your opening that will make it appropriate to the rating selected.
- In your conclusion, ensure you explain why it is so important to understand age certificates and the types of things you will need to consider when making your own thriller.