Certificate Ratings.

2. The U symbol stands for Universal. This symbol represents a particular audience that is eligible to watch movies
with that specific symbol. A U film is suitable for audiences aged four years and over. In addition, films with the U
symbol have a special BBFCinsight stating which means that they are ‘particularly suitable for pre-school
children’. This means that films or videos labelled with BBFCinsight should raise no significant issues in terms of
discrimination, drugs, imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex, threat or violence. Films or videos with the U
symbol will only allow infrequent use of very mild bad language, such as, ‘damn’ and ‘hell’. Similarly, there is no
overt focus on sexual behaviour, language or innuendo. Violence too is very mild in films and videos with the U
symbol. There might be scenes of fighting or a situation where the characters are placed in danger. Additionally,
there may be brief scary scenes and ‘baddie’ characters whom may carry or use weapons, but there will be no
emphasis on these.
Aiming my film towards a U audience would be insignificant due to the lack of violence and threat that I will be
able to include. Although a psychological horror movie may have little gore, it may include strong language,
strong violence and sexual nudity, all which would be inappropriate for a U audience.
Examples of U rated movies are: The Lion King, Monsters Inc. and Puss In Boots.

3. The PG symbol stands for Parental Guidance. Films that are prescribed with the PG symbol means that they are only
suitable for general viewing, however some scenes may be unsuitable for younger children. A PG film is most
suitable for a child aged 12 or younger if a parent or guardian is present. A PG film may explore such aspects as
bullying, bereavement or racism. There may also be mild bad language, such as, ‘shit’ or ‘son of a bitch’, however
the context and delivery are always important. Additionally, there may be sex references, however they are
undetailed and infrequent. Violence too is usually very mild. Things such as blood may be displayed, however not
necessarily in how the injury was inflicted in strong detail. Violence is only ever really used in historical, comedic or
fantasy setting because of the distancing that this provides. For threat and horror, a PG film may include some
‘jump’ moments and frightening sequences as long as they are not prolonged or intense.
Aiming my film towards a PG audience may be considered irrelevant since I will not be able to include strong
violence which a psychological horror movie must have. Additionally, a psychological horror movie must include
many ‘jump’ moments and frightening sequences throughout the film in order to represent the sub genre exactly,
therefore by having my film with a PG rating, I am unable to do so. Examples of PG rated movies are: Maleficent,
Monster House and The Corpse Bride.

4. The 12A symbol means that it contains material that is not generally suitable for children aged under 12 unless
they are accompanied by an adult. However a 12 rated movie does not necessarily require an adult if you are 12
years old or older. Strong language such as ‘f***’ can be passed at a 12A or 12 film, however this depends on the
manner in which it is used, who is using the language, its frequency and any special contextual justification.
Discriminatory language or behaviour is completely not to be endorsed as a whole. Moreover, sex may be briefly
and discreetly portrayed at 12A or 12, however verbal sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for
young teenagers. At 12A, moderate violence can be expected, however this should not dwell on detail. Horror films
can be passed at this category, including moderate physical and psychological threat. However, the horror
sequences must not be too frequent and the overall tone is not disturbing.
Aiming my film towards a 12A or 12 audience could work as I would be able to include moderate physical and
psychological threat which is highly beneficial to me as my sub genre of horror is psychological. However, this would
only mean that I would have a much smaller audience, therefore this may be insignificant to me as I am aiming to
have a much bigger audience. Examples of movies that are 12A or 12 rated are: Dark Shadows, The Others and Red
Riding Hood.

5. The 15 symbol means that movies rated with 15 are not to be seen by anyone under that specific age. There is no
specific theme that is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds. The following elements
are all that can be included in a 15 rated film: Strong violence, frequent strong language, portrayals of sexual
activity, strong verbal references to sex, sexual nudity, brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual
violence, discriminatory language or behaviour and drug taking. At a 15 rated movie there is no upper limit on the
number of uses of strong language. There may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language, and the
work could explore themes relating to this. Sexual activity can be displayed, however this must not be in strong
detail. In addition, violence too can be strong, however it should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. There
may also be detailed verbal references to sexual violence, however any portrayal depiction of sexual violence must
remain discreet and justified by context. There can be strong threat and horror as long as there is no sustained
focus on sadistic or sexualised threat.
I believe that this would be the most convenient age for my film as it will enable me to use strong violence and
frequent strong language which an audience would typically see in a psychological horror film. Since psychological
movies do not have much gore or weapons, strong violence will be essential to use in my film in order to portray
the psychological sub genre correctly. Examples of movies that are 15 rated are: The Conjuring, Black Swan and
Carrie.

6. The 18 symbol means that films rated with 18 are for adults. No one under 18 is allowed to see an 18 film, therefore
such films are not suitable for children. There is no theme that is prohibited at 18. This means that adults are free to
choose their own entertainment provided the material is not illegal or potentially harmful. Additionally, this would
mean that themes tackled at 18 may be offensive even to some adult viewers. The following elements are all that
can be included in a 18 rated film: very strong violence, frequent strong language, strong portrayals of sexual
activity, scenes of sexual violence, strong horror, strong blood and gore, real sex and discriminatory language and
behaviour. There is no limit on the number of uses of strong or even very strong language. There can also be racist,
homophobic or other discriminatory language at 18, and the work could explore themes relating to discrimination.
There is usually strong and detailed portrayals of sex at 18, including full nudity. Violence is also permitted and can
be portrayed in very strong detail, there may also be scenes of strong sadistic or sexual violence. Lastly, horror films
may contain very strong horror, gore or sustained threat.
I believe that aiming my film towards an 18 audience would be beneficial as I am creating a horror film , therefore I
would be able to include everything you would typically see in a horror film, such as, the gore, threat and strong
language. However, since my film is going to be a psychological film, gore and strong language and many of the
other elements that are permitted at 18 are not necessary for my film. You would not see much gore in a
psychological film as it is mainly focused on the delusional mind of a person. Additionally, if I was to aim my film at
an 18 audience, I would not have such a big audience as I would with a 15 movie. Examples of movies that are 18
rated are: The Silence of the Lambs, The Last House on the Left and Wrong Turn.