British Board of Film Censors

Otherwise known as the British Board of Film Classification, this institutions aim is to try and protect children from unsuitable or harmful content in films. They decide which age rating is most appropriate for a film and therefore society, mostly parents, use these as guidelines as to what is appropriate for their child/children to watch. There are several types of categories for the age ratings which are:

• U
• PG
• 12A and 12
• 15
• 18

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/what-classification/u - image accessed on 13/10/14

Firstly, 'U' stands for Universal. A U film means that the content within a film is suitable for all ages. Despite the board deeming a film suitable for all they cannot predict what may or may not upset of scare a child so it is for the parents to have the final say in whether it is suitable for their child to watch. If a film is rated U, then the symbol above will appear alongside it. In terms of my own work, I will have to give it a target audience and then give the trailer a classification to show that it suitable for them to watch. I will only be able to give my trailer this rating if the content is suitable for children. Genres that are made with children in mind such as animations tend to be popular with this rating due to films such as Finding Nemo and Shrek.

The board only allow mild language such as the word 'damn'. There also is no focus on sexual behaviour as acts such as cuddling or kissing is the most that they show.

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/what-classification/pg - image accessed on 13/10/14

This symbol represents films that are classed as needing 'parental guidance'. This means that the film is suitable for children to watch although they may require a parent present during some scenes which could possible be upsetting. PG films are not suitable for children under the age of 8 and therefore just like the Universal guideline, parents will have to decide based on their child alone that it is suitable for them to watch it. I would give this rating to my trailer if the content was not likely to upset children over the age of 8. Therefore, genres such as thrillers and horror would not be in this category. Examples of films that have the PG certificate are The Chronicles of Narnia and E.T.

Films rated PG will not contain any disturbing or strong narratives. There is no strong language or scenes that are unsuitable for children's nature. They don't deal with inappropriate issues as they will only maybe show clips that could involve bullying or bereavement. An example would be Finding Nemo, it deals with bereavement as Nemo's mother is killed and it has issues of bullying when others pick on him because of his different fin. Despite it being rated a U it has PG themes which is why it is up to the parents to decided if their child is able to watch it. 

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/what-classification/12a-and-12 - image accessed on 13/10/14

A 12A film contains material that is not suitable for any child under the age of 12 unless they have an adult watching it with them. Film's rated 12 are available for children of this age to go see it on their own unlike a 12A where they would have to view with a relative or another adult. There is some language used in 12A and 12's but only moderate swear words. Sex is not shown in 12A's or 12's , however, it is briefly and discreetly referenced or implied such as kissing scenes e.c.t. Sexual violence can be implied yet it must have a strong justification and context for it to be happening. 

Some horror films can be classed as 12A's and 12's however these are usually a children's version of ' horror' and do not contain any frequent scary scenes or a disturbing story line. These films are usually thrillers and involve children going on an adventure and are only called 'horror's ' because adult horrors are enticing to children and by giving them their own version of horrors it can make them less likely to want to watch ones rated 15 or 18.

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/what-classification/15 - image accessed on 13/10/14

According to the British Board of Film Classification this is what is included in a 15 rated film. 

What might I see in a 15 rated film or video?

Any of the following:

•   strong violence
•  frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***'). 
•   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
•   drug taking

As you can see from the list, people under the age of 15 are not permitted to view films with such content. There can be a lot of scenes involving sex and frequent use of profanity as well as violence and even 'gory' scenes when it comes to thrillers and horrors.




http://www.bbfc.co.uk/what-classification/18 - image accessed on 13/10/14

18 rated films are not suitable for children in any way - they are strictly for adults only. There are a variety of issues included in 18 films such as:
18 works are for adults and can contain strong issues including extremely strong violence, frequent strong language, sexual activity and violence, strong horror, disturbing story lines, strong horror with blood and gore and offensive language and behavior.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Board_of_Film_Classification