The BBFC is a non-governmental organization, funded by the film industry that classifys films within the United Kingdom. The BBFC allocates these films, videos, DVD's and video with a certificate age that allows audiences to determine whether they are suitable for viewing.
The certificate ages allocated to UK films range from suitable for all ages, to strictly for adults and those aged 18 or over based on their content.
U(Universal)
A film that is classified as a 'U' is suitable for audiences aged 4 and over. Films under this certificate are set within a positive moral framework, meaning that there is no distressing images of violence, threat or horror that may upset the child audience.
PG(Parental Guidance)
PG rated films are understood to be suitable for most, however, the film may contain some scenes that are unsuitable for young children and parents are advised to take this into careful consideration. PG films are suitable for most children aged 8 and over, include only mild bad language, discreet nudity and sexual references, no prolonged horror references and no reference to drug use.
Exactly the same criteria is used for a ‘12A’ film and a ‘12’ film. These films are only to be viewed by someone over the age of 12 (unless accompanied by an adult) as it contains a lot of unsuitable material for children under this particular age. An adult may take a child under the age of 12, if they believe the film to be suitable. The ‘12A’ category exists only for cinemas. No one under the age of 12 may rent or buy a ‘12’ rated video work.
Films that are rated 15 are suitable for those aged 15 and over, no younger. No-one younger than 15 can view or rent a 15 film. Films given this rating may deal with ideas and topics that are not suitable for younger audiences, such as the use of strong language, mild sexual activity and nudity, no clear use of drugs and violence or horror is mild, focusing on the infliction of pain is unaccepted.
Films rated 18 are suitable for adults and those over the age of 18 only, no-one under the age of 18 can watch or rent a film with this rating. There are no constraints on language, horror or nudity, although the board can cut or reject any detailed dangerous or violent acts, explicit images of sexual activity and illegal use of drugs without justification.
Classification and target audience for our film
After conducting this research on film classification, our group had to consider what certificate would be best for our film, in order to keep to the acceptable contents of the allocated certificate ages. After much thought we decided to rate our film an ‘15’, due to the fact that we believe the topics in our particular film unsuitable for anyone below this age. In our film, there is some use of strong language, in our film there will also be the use of mild sexual activity, and the use of violence. Also as it is a physiological horror, we believed that a certificate of anything under the age of ‘15’ would be inappropriate. Even though many of these things, including strong language, mild sexual nudity and the use of violence may not necessarily be used much in the first opening 2 minutes of our film, the storyline, which is based on the life of a violent and mentally deranged stalker. This could therefore distress younger viewers, and may encourage negative behaviour and attitudes, therefore is better suited for a more mature age of 15.
Target audience of our film:
Our film will be targeted to young adults (16-30 year olds), as we believe that this group of people will be able to identify themselves with some of the characters shown in the film and the storyline topic (stalking). Research shows that one in five women and one in ten men aged 16-30, become the victim of stalkers, at least for a short while in their lifetime. Other issues that are highlighted in our film, such as teenage love, jealousy amongst friends, and aspirations will also attract this younger audience.
