BBFC Presentation 2007

Slide 1: Film Classification Masterclass Long Road March 2007

Slide 2: Today’s Presentation • Some Facts • History • Legislation • Accountability • Education • Questions/Discussion 2

Slide 3: Some Facts • In 2006, the BBFC classified: – 555 films • 198 of these were passed 15 – 15122 Videos & DVDs • 7110 of these were passed U or PG – 298 Video Games • 186 of these were passed 15 or 18 • In 2006, the BBFC rejected ONE work 3

Slide 4: History • Established 1912 • Independent, non-governmental body funded through charged fees • Classifies Films on behalf of Local Authorities – the Cinemas Act, 1985 • Classifies Videos, DVDs and some Digital Games under the Video Recordings Act, 1984 4

Slide 5: History 1. Indecorous, under-clothing’ and ambiguous1916 T.P. O’Connor’s ‘Forty-Three Grounds for Deletion’ ‘Unnecessary exhibition of irreverent titlestoand subtitles ‘Drunken scenes carried excess’ 2. Cruelty to animals scenes’ ‘Men and women in bed together’ ‘Indecorous dancing’ ‘'First Night' 3.‘Materialization of the conventional figure of Christ’of The irreverent treatment ‘References to controversial politics’ sacred subjects ‘Scenes laid in disorderly houses’ 4. Drunken scenes carried to ‘The drug habit. e.g. opium, morphia, cocaine, etc’ ‘Scenes tending to disparage public characters and institutions’ 5

Slide 6: Legislation The Licensing Act, 2003: • Cinemas require a licence • the BBFC classifies on behalf of Local Authorities but they can: – ignore BBFC certificates – grant their own certificates – effectively ‘ban’ Films 6

Slide 7: The Video Recordings Act, 1984 • ‘Video Nasties’ • Criminal Justice & Public Order Act, 1994 • the ‘Harm’ test • Video Games 7

Slide 8: Other Legislation… • The Obscene Publications Act, 1959 & 1964 • Cinematograph Films (Animals Act), 1937 • Protection of Children Act, 1978 • Race Relations Act, 1976 • Human Rights Act, 1998 • Blasphemous Libel 8

Slide 9: Accountability • Guidelines: February 2005 • Public Consultation – Citizens Juries – Research – Questionnaires • Research Projects 9

Slide 10: Education www.sbbfc.co.uk Launched May 2005 www.cbbfc.co.uk Launched June 2003 10

Slide 11: sbbfc: the Student Guide • History, Legislation, Classification • Resources Timelines Case Studies NSFW files Research Articles Downloads News Reading List Web Links 11

Slide 12: sbbfc: for Teachers • Seminars • External Presentations • Downloads • BBFC posters • Feedback 12

Slide 13: The Examiners • 31 Full-Time/Part-Time Examiners • 8 Specialist Video Games Examiners • Cantonese/South Asian Language Examiners HE TION • 4 Senior Examiners T CA • Various Backgrounds • Four Teams FI S SI ES AS OC CL R P 13

Slide 14: Examining Examiner Duties • Viewing • Examiners’ Meeting • Team Projects • Networking • Correspondence 14

Slide 15: The Examining Process • Viewing solo (with exceptions) • Over 5.5 Hours per day • Random • Examiner’s Log • Post viewing discussion linked to: – Guidelines – Policy – Legal Restrictions • Decision Agreed upon… • Reports Filed • Reports Checked 15

Slide 16: Examining: Issues • Violence • Language • Sex • Sexual References • Sexual Violence • Drugs • Criminal Activity • Weapons • Imitable Techniques • Horror • Theme • Legal Issues 16

Slide 17: Other Considerations • the work – its story, style, treatment • the audience – address and appeal • the moral framework • artistic or educational merit • precedent • possible harm • potential level of offensiveness • context 17

Slide 18: Other Outcomes • Split Decision • Confirmatory Viewing • Cuts - legal reasons - policy - ‘category cuts’ • Rejection 18

Slide 19: Cuts: Examples • Imitable Techniques: violent, criminal, harmful • Glamorisation of Offensive Weapons • Sexual Violence: eroticised rape or sexual assault • Illegal Material • Instruction in Drug Use 19

Slide 20: Questions 20

Slide 21: Thank You… www.sbbfc.co.uk 21