2. • In order to discover our target audience, I look on
the bbfc official website to research the
restrictions and guidelines for age viewing
certifications
• The official website: http://www.bbfc.co.uk/
• Through looking on this website, we were able to
determine the appropriate age certificate, in
context to the content of our thriller
Deciding upon the target
audience
3. According to the BBFC, these age
certificates include:
• U - Suitable for all
• PG - Parental guidance
• 12A - Cinema release suitable for 12 years and
over
• 12 - Video release suitable for 12 years and
over
• 15 - Suitable for 15 years and over
• 18 - Suitable for adults only
4. The final decision…
After watching our footage, I felt that our film’s
theme was too gruesome and thrilling for children
aged 12 or under. For this reason I decided that
our film will be rated 15, which means:
• 15 - Suitable for 15 and over
• No one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ in
a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent
or buy a ‘15’ rated video work
5. Official BBFC guidelines for a
15:Discrimination:
• The work as a whole must endorse discriminatory language or behaviour
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 sexualised.
Discrimination:
• The work as a whole must endorse discriminatory language or behaviour
Imitable behaviour:
• Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not
dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be
glamorised.
6. Guidelines continued…
Language:
• There may be frequent use of strong language.The strongest terms 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 behaviour, 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 olds.
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 sexualised
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.
7. Guidelines continued…
Language:
• There may be frequent use of strong language.The strongest terms 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 behaviour, 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 olds.
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 sexualised
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.
