BBFC

The British Board of Film Classification.

Background:

-Is an independent, responsibility of cinema for hundred years and over video DVD since 1985, which was established by film industries.It was set up to perform uniformity and create a body to make judgments nationally such as film certification on deciding what age groups are allowed to view the film. The BBFC  have statutory powers on film, and over rule decision and play a huge rule of debating whether or not a film fits the right classification. To preserve its independence, the BBFC's income is derived solely from its fees it charges for its services, calculated by measuring the running time of films, DVDs/ videos and other works submitted for classification. However power on film remain with local council as they may overrule any decisions made by BBFC such as banning films that they passed, altering categories or banning films they have passed.The video recording act (1984) - stated that video recordings must be classified by authority (be a certain age to buy the product) the key issues that they focused on was violence, drugs, sex, and that cause harm to the audience. Furthermore, the BBFC annual report provides a review of the activities and classification decisions of the Board over the calendar year.

What are their guidelines?
The BBFC play a huge role in meeting classification standards which are in line with what the public expects. Moreover, its decisions should take into account and consideration of what the public finds acceptable at each age category. The BBFC also if needed, adjusts its standards and criteria in response to the public views. 
The BBFC has two key principles, laid out in Guidelines such as "To protect children and vulnerable adults from potentially harmful or otherwise unsuitable content" and "To empower consumers, particularly parents and those with responsibility for children, to make informed viewing decisions".

Timeline

-Legalisation (1909)

-Chart the key legal milestones that have informed the BBC’s role over the years.

- The cinematography Act arrives giving local authorities the power to provide or withhold licenses for cinemas in their region.

-Violence and weapons (1947)

-Have been key concerns in films over the years.

- Critics as “nasty and sensationalist” attack Brighton Rock but are a success at the box office.

- (1954) the BBFC reject the wild one on the grounds that it presents an “unbridled spectrum, of hooliganism” it was not rated until 1964.

- (1955) the BBFC requires cuts to Rebel Without A Cause to remove a knife fight.

-Drugs (1868)

-Drugs have been significant concern of the BBFC since its early days. (1868) Pharmacy acts restrict use of opium in England, however (1900) drugs such as cocaine and opium are widely available. In (1916) BFFC’s grounds for deletion extended to include “the drug habit, e.ge Opium, Morphia, Cocaine, etc.

-Sex (1916)

- Although public opinion on sex on screen has changed over the decades, it is still a concern over the lower age group. 

-(1916)  Director of the BBFC lists 43 grounds for deletion. They include the “unnecessary exhibition of under clothing” and “excessively passionate love screens”

-Sexual Violence (1914)

-Sexual violence continues to be a source of concern for the public in modern times

- “Outrages on women” is added to BBFC’s list of concerns.

-BBFC’s list of expectations of revised to include “girls” clothes pulled off, leaving them in scanty undergarments, “drugging and ruining of young girls” and criminal assault of girls”

Film Classification for 12A

-Films classified 12A and video works classified 12 contain material that is not generally suitable for children aged under the age of 12.

-No one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult.

- Adults planning to take a child under 12 to view a 12A film should consider whether the film is suitable for that child. 

-Any discriminatory language or behavior will not be endorsed by the work as a whole.

-Sex may be briefly and discreetly portrayed at 12A or 12. Verbal sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers.

-Anti-social behavior should not be endorsed.
-Examples of 12A horror films include "The women in black", "it" and "Gremlins" 

Film Classification for 15

-No-one under 15 is allowed to see a 15 film at the cinema or buy/rent a 15 rated video. 15 rated works are not suitable for children under 15 years of age.

-In a 15 rated film any of the following could be shown:

•  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 
• Examples of film certification of 15 is films like "Orphan", "The Possession" and "Mama."

All this information of requirements of film classification is important as it raises awareness whilst we are making our film as we know the restriction for the age group so we are careful about what type of violence is allowed to be viewed and how much is allowed such as not showing the weapons physically hurting the victim as its not required for a 12A film.

SOURCE:  http://www.bbfc.co.uk/