Certificate ratings help ensure films are suitable for different age groups by classifying content. U is for all ages and contains no explicit material. PG allows mild language, violence, or themes parents may wish to consider. 12A/12 permits more violence but not in graphic detail along with limited sexual or discriminatory content. 15 allows strong language, more graphic violence, and brief sexual scenes. 18 has no content restrictions but is aimed at adults due to graphic depictions of violence, sex, drugs, and language. For her horror film, the author determines a 15 rating would allow sufficient graphic content while maintaining a large audience.

1. Certificate Ratings
By Jamila Aaki

2. Why is classification important?
Classification is important because it allows different audience of different ages to watch what is
appropriate to their age and also protects them from any inappropriate contents in the movie. By having
classification, it allows the audience to gain information about the film and they will be able to judge
whether it is suitable for the or not. For example, If there is the certificate rating of 18, the movie would not
be suitable for a 12 year old. It is very important to have the right classification because it needs to provide
the right protection for the audience. Before I start planning my film, I need to find out all the information
about classification in order to make sure it is suitable enough for my audience. I will then need to to
decide what classification to have for my movie and what is suitable for my storyline and genre. This
research will help me as I will be able to gain the relevant information to make my film appropriate and
suitable.

3. Universal (U)
U stands for universal and is suitable for all ages over four. In U rated films, they try their best to use very
mild bad language such as the word ‘damn. It will contain no explicit sexual behaviour or seuxal
language, the characetrs may be seen cuddling or kissing however, there will be no main focus on sexual
behaviour. A U rated film will normally have no violence and if there is any, it will be very mild.If there is a
scene of the mild violence, it is resolved very quickly to make sure there is not emotional stress to the
audience. U rated will not be suitable for my film as my film genre is horror so will
have explicit scenes including blood, screams and danger which will cause the younger audience distress
and will be inappropriate.

5. Parental Guidance (PG)
PG stands for Parental Guidance. This means a film is suitable for viewing generally but some scenes
may be unsuitable for young children. Parents may want to consider whether the content will upset
younger audience. Some films are given a PG certificate but have not been made with a young audience
in mind. PG rating is to made sure that it should not upset children aged 8 and over. PG will not contain
anything inappropriate theme but may have themes such as racism and bullying but will show to
overcome those things and will be shown how to make the negative a positive. There may be some mild
bad laguage shuch as sh** but nothing major or more than that.Sex references are very unlikely unless
they are undetailed and infrequent. In addition, if a child is unlikely to underst
and a reference, we may allow it at PG. In PG There should be no detail of violence in a PG work, fpr
example, if there was blood shown, the injury
would not be shown in detail. PG is also not suitable
as arating for my film opening as the audience are
still young and it may cause distress as there may
possibly be more than the few bad language and
injuries will be shown in full details and may upset the
audience.

7. 12/ 12A
Films classified 12A and video works classified 12 contain material that is not generally suitable for children aged under 12.
If at a cinema and a child under 12 is not with an adult a cinema may lose its license because of this. The 12 means they
cannot sell or rent the item unless the customer is over the age of 12. Aggressive discriminatory language such as
homophobic or racist comments are unlikely to be passed at 12A or 12 unless it is clearly condemned.Sex may be briefly
and discreetly portrayed at 12A or 12. There may be some seuxal references verbally as comedy but nothing more and
there may be nudity in 12A films but nudity in a sexual context should only be brief and discreet At 12A, moderate violence
is allowed but it should not be in detail. They may show blood and injuries, however, they are not allowed to be too in depth
and are not allowed to have empathises. Weapons may be present at 12A or 12, and there may be long fight scenes or
similar. Sexual violence, such as scenes of rape or assault, may only be implied or briefly a indicated at 12A and 12 but
again nothing more. Some horror films are rated at 12 or 12A however this can only
be if too many horror scenes are not shown and the blood and
gore aren't too explicit. 12 or 12A would still not be suitable for
my film opening as the sncec in my film opening are most
likely to be more explicit and will have blood and gore
emphasised.

9. 15
15 rated means no one aged under 15 are allowed to was a 15 movie at the cinema or are allowed to buy it as a dvd. In a
15 movie there is no limit to explicit language, any bad swear word would be allowed to be used. Although strong language
is allowed to be used and there is no limit, if it becomes frequent, it will not be passed as 15 rated. Detailed sexual
references or sexualmvioloenecece are allowed howver any seuxla scenec of sexual violencec will be to a certain extent
and will be shown within reason. Sexual scenes may be shown for a long period of time and nudity is also acceptable but
again should be shown with reason. Drugs may be shown being taken in a 15 rated film however, will not be shown as
encouragement or promotion. 15 rated will be suitable for my film opening as I am able to be more explicit my scenes as I
will be able to get into slightly more detail in blood, gore and injuries and am able to use bad language. Also, 18 rating would
be too high and this would limit my audience and as 15 fits, 15 rating would be best to gain a bigger audience.

11. 18
18 means that no one under the age of 18 is allowed to watch any film rated 18 at the cinemas and aren't allowed to buy it
on dvd. 18 films are normally for adults and they are definitely inappropriate for children and in an 18 there is no limit at all
on strong lamnguage and sexujal scens. The language can be used in many ways, such as, aggressively, sexually, directly
alongside strong violence. The strangest horror films which are also rated 18, this may contain a lot of danger, threat, blood
and gore, pain, injuries and violence will be shown in depth and will be emphasised. Drugs are also allowed to be shown to
be taken like arting 15 however are not allowed to be encouraged and promoted. There can be complete nudity and nudity
can also be shown for non sexual references. My film may also be suitable for this rating as I will be able to go to extreme
length and it can be explicit as it want to beas I will be able to use as much blood, gore, injury and pain and will be able to
use very strong violence in depth. However I have chosen to do rating 15 to keep my audience bigger and so that my film
isn't too explicit and will be inappropriate.