BBFC (British Board Film Classification)
British Board of Film Classification research.
The BBFC is an independent, self-financing and not for profit media content regulator. They operate the classification and labeling of productions in the UK.
There aim is to protect the public in what they watch and make sure it suits the social attitudes faced with the audience of the 21st Century. We have decided to choose a rating of `15` because we believe that the audience that best suits Horror Films are aged 15 to 25. We came to a decision by looking through individual Classifications and decided on `15` for our Horror film productions.
We also learnt from looking at the website that if we choose the classification of `15`, it allows more people to watch it due to the younger generation taking an interest into Horror. therefore if we had the rating at `18`, we would streamline our audience by a third. Although by choosing an age rating of `15`, there are some rules and guidelines we have to follow.
Here is a list of them.
These rules are;
No one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No one younger than
15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video work.
Discrimination
The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or
behavior.
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 sexuality.
Imitable behavior
Dangerous behavior (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should
not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not
be glamorized.
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 behavior, 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
old.
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 sexuality 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. (TC, AH, BD, EB)