The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) regulates the UK film industry and assigns age ratings to films. There are 5 age rating categories: U, PG, 12A, 15, and 18. They examine themes, language, nudity, sex, violence, and imitable behaviors in films. Spectre was given a 12A rating instead of a 15 because some violent scenes were cut to remove bloody details. A 12A rating allows children over 12 to see a film in cinemas if accompanied by an adult. Product placement is when brands pay to have their products featured prominently in films. Spectre prominently featured several brands like Heineken beer and Omega watches.

1. 1B FILM (SPECTRE)

2. SECTION B OF THE EXAM

3. INDUSTRY: REGULATION
• View this short documentary about the
BBFC and answer the questions on the
response sheet.

4. • Which company regulates the UK film industry?
• What are the 5 classification categories?
• What are the 4 main areas they examine?
• Why was Casino Royale given a 12A certificate?
• Why was Die Hard given a 15 certificate?
• Why was The Last King of Scotland given a 15 instead
of an 18?

5. 12 AND 12A CERTIFICATE
• 12A rating is only used for films shown in cinemas
• Films rates 12A are suitable for children aged 12 and over, however
children younger than 12 may see the film accompanied by an
adult
• 12A gives responsibility to the adult to make the decision
• 12 rating is only found on videos and DVDs.
• If a film has upsetting or mature themes it may not be suitable for
12A or 12

6. 12A & 12
• Theme: Mature themes are acceptable but their treatment must be suitable for young
teenagers
• Language: The use of strong language (e.g. f***) must be infrequent.
• Nudity: Nudity is allowed but it must be brief and discreet if there is any suggestion of sex
• Sex: Sex can be suggested and should reflect a 12 year olds knowledge. Frequent sex
references may not be allowed.
• Violence: Violence must not dwell on injuries or blood. Sexual violence may only be
implied or discreetly indicated.
• Imitable techniques: Dangerous techniques should not dwell on things that can be
copied or appear harm free.
• Drugs: Any misuse of drugs must be infrequence and should not glamorise.

7. WHY WAS 12A INTRODUCED?
• Launched in 2002
• First 12A film was The Bourne Identity
• Parents felt they were better placed to decide whether a film was suitable for
their under-12 child
• Guidance for parents included on marketing material e.g. ‘contains a single use
of strong language and moderate violence’
• Complaints following Spider-Man being passed at 12 but merchandise aimed
at much younger audience.
• the rating also brought British certificates in line with US and European
equivalents, where anything around the 12 range was deemed advisory, rather
than compulsory.

8. WHY WAS SPECTRE GIVEN A 12A
CERTIFICATE?
BACKGROUND
• Columbia submitted a first cut and requested a 12A
certificate
• Due to strong bloody detail during an eye-gouging
scene and further bloody detail in the aftermath of the
suicide of a terminally ill man, a 15 certificate was
advised
• Columbia chose to reduce or remove elements of
these scenes to fit the 12A criteria – it passed.
• The eye-gouging in the version seen for advice
showed a man embedding his thumbs in a victim's
eye-sockets, the withdrawal of the thumbs, and sight
of the bloody injury aftermath. The 12A version of the
film retained only an establishing shot of the thumbs
being inserted, together with a reverse angle shot
from behind the victim's head, with thumbs emerging

9. WHY WAS SPECTRE
GIVEN A 12A?
• VIOLENCE:
• There is a scene of torture, although there is only limited detail and
the character in question is not seriously harmed.
• There is also a brief moment of eye-gouging, with limited detail, and a
scene in which a man shoots himself in the head, although the bullet
impact is not shown on screen.
• There are a number of scenes of moderate action violence, including
crunchy blows and shootings, but these lack any focus on detail.
• There is occasional sight of injuries resulting from violence, including
cuts and grazes, as well as sight of blood on faces, hands and clothing.

10. • THREAT
• There are a number of scenes in which characters are
threatened or in danger, including some sustained
chase sequences.
• SEX
• The film also contains scenes in which couples
embrace, kiss and begin to undress, although these
scenes cut away before any sex is shown.
• LANGUAGE
• There are verbal references to various criminal
activities, including the trafficking of women, and
some mild bad language ('bloody', 'bastard', 'shit',
'moron', 'asshole', 'Jesus', 'Christ', 'hell').

11. WHY IS CERTIFICATION IMPORTANT?
• Certification aims to protect vulnerable audiences from content that may
be harmful or offensive
• Certification can help audiences to decide whether a film is suitable for
them, or their children
• Distributors can make cuts to a film in order to achieve a particular
certificate
• Why was it important for Spectre to gain a 12A certificate? Why not just
settle for the 15?
• In 2017 6 of the UKs ten highest-grossing films carried 12A certificates.
So in pursuit of box-office dollars, distributors will invariably yield to the
censors’ request to cut or tone down the odd scene.

12. SPECTRE IS A SET PRODUCT FROM
WHICH MEDIA INDUSTRY?
• The Hollywood Film Industry.
• Hollywood is the oldest film industry in the world,
originating in the 1890s. The first motion pictures were less
than a minute long, due to the limitations of technology,
and sound was not introduced into films until 1927.
Hollywood is considered the ‘film factory’ of the world and
exports its products to most countries.
• Why is is called the ‘film industry’?

13. WHAT THINGS ARE TYPICAL OF A
HOLLYWOOD FILM?
• Big budget
• Special effects
• Celebrity stars
• Flash cars
• Explosions/excitement

14. WHAT ARE THE 5 STAGES OF MAKING A
FILM?
• Development – ideas are created, if necessary rights are bought,
screenplay is written and financing is sought.
• Pre-Production – Cast and film crew are found, locations chosen and
sets are built.
• Production – The film is shot
• Post-production – The recorded film is edited. Crew work on the sound,
images and visual effects
• Distribution – Finished film is distributed. It is screened at the cinema
and released for home viewing.

15. WHAT DO THE FOLLOWING TERMS
MEAN?
• Box office revenue
• Product placement
• Regulation

16. WHAT DO THE FOLLOWING TERMS
MEAN?
• Box office revenue
• How much money a film takes from customers paying to
see it.
• Product placement
• Where advertisers pay to include their products in a film
so they are shown off.
• Regulation
• Control of media products.

17. PRODUCT PLACEMENT – WHAT IT IS…
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3FLKuQa62c

18. WATCH THE CLIP.
• Count and list as many brands as you can spot
as ‘placed’ in the film.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpA0NZF
-acg&index=4&list=PLbCS1aCA639Fa_EPNV3-
Mn9kQd7zORdLf

19. PRODUCT PLACEMENT IN SPECTRE.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXgYQo_CaHk