As I am making a movie, I will be looking up the regulations that gives a movie its rating. For movies in the UK, the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) has set out regulations which are used as guidelines to give a movie its age rating.
The BBFC classify films, trailers and advertisements for local authorities who license cinemas. Other videos that are regulated by the BBFC include video works that are distributed over the internet (under a voluntary, self-regulatory service), commercial and internet content distributed via mobile networks (under a voluntary and self-regulatory service).
The BBFC have specific classification considerations that are used when determining a movies age rating, these include:
- Discrimination
- Drugs
- Imitable behavior
- Language
- Sex
- Nudity
- Threat
- Violence
Discrimination:
The BBFC quotes this as "Potentially offensive content relating to
matters such as race, gender, religion,
disability or sexuality may arise in a wide
range of works, and the classification decision
will take account of the strength or impact
of their inclusion. The context in which such
content may appear also has a bearing.
Works with such content may receive a lower
category where discriminatory language and
behavior is implicitly or explicitly criticized;
or the work as a whole seeks to challenge
such attitudes; or the work is obviously dated,
with little or no appeal to children."
Drugs:
The BBFC quotes this as " No work taken as a whole may promote the
misuse of drugs and any detailed portrayal of
drug misuse likely to promote the activity may
be cut. Works which normalize or glamorize
drug misuse are likely to receive a higher
classification than works which show drug
misuse while emphasising the dangers.
Where smoking, alcohol abuse or substance
misuse feature to a significant extent in works
which appeal to children, this will normally
be indicated in BBFCinsight. Classification
decisions will also take into account any
promotion or glamorization of such activities."
Imitable behavior:
The BBFC quotes this as "Classification decisions will take into
account any detailed portrayal of criminal
and violent techniques, and glamorization
of easily accessible weapons, such as knives.
Works which portray anti-social behavior
(for example, bullying) uncritically are
likely to receive a higher classification.
Works which, taken as a whole, actively
promote illegal behavior may be cut or
refused a classification.
Portrayals of potentially dangerous behavior
(especially relating to hanging, suicide and
self-harm) which children and young people
may potentially copy, will be cut if a higher
classification is not appropriate. "
Language:
The BBFC quotes this as "Language which people may find offensive
includes the use of expletives with a sexual,
religious or racial association, derogatory
language about minority groups and
commonly understood rude gestures. The
extent of offence may vary according to
age, gender, race, background, beliefs and
expectations brought by viewers to the work
as well as the context in which the word,
expression or gesture is used.
For these reasons, it is impossible to set out
comprehensive lists of words, expressions
or gestures which are acceptable at each
category. The advice at different classification
levels, therefore, provides general guidance
taking account of the views expressed in
public consultation exercises."
Sex:
The BBFC quotes this as "The portrayal of sexual activity can range
from kissing to detail of unsimulated sex. The
normalization of overtly sexualised behaviour
is a concern at the junior categories. The
classification system allows progressively
stronger portrayals of sexual behaviour as the
categories rise.
Sex works (works whose primary purpose is
sexual arousal or stimulation) will normally
only be passed at the adult categories. Sex
works which only contain sex which may
be simulated will usually be passed at 18.
The R18 category is suitable for sex works
containing clear images of real sex, strong
fetish material, sexually explicit animated
images, or other very strong sexual images.
R18 video works may be supplied only in
licensed sex shops which no one under 18
may enter. R18 films may be shown only in
specially licensed cinemas.
We will apply these Guidelines in relation to
sex to the same standard regardless of sexual
orientation of the activity portrayed."
Nudity:
The BBFC quotes this as "Nudity with no sexual context is in principle
acceptable at all classification levels, but
will not generally occur more than
occasionally at U.
Nudity with a sexual context will receive a
higher classification. Strong detail in such
a context will usually only be passed at the
adult categories (18 or R18)."
Threat:
The BBFC quotes this as "Where films are targeted at a younger
audience, classification decisions will take
into account factors such as the frequency,
length and detail of scary or otherwise
unsettling scenes as well as factors such as the
impact of music and sound, and whether there
is a swift and reassuring outcome.
The classification of threat and horror will take
account of the general tone, impact, realism
and supernatural elements of a work as well
as the level of detail in individual scenes.
Fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor.
Violence
Classification decisions will take account of
the degree and nature of violence in a work.
Works which feature the following are likely to
receive higher classifications:
• portrayal of violence as a normal solution
to problems
• heroes who inflict pain and injury
• callousness towards victims
• the encouragement of aggressive attitudes
• characters taking pleasure in pain
or humiliation
• the glorification or glamorization of violence
Sadistic or sexual violence is likely to receive
a higher classification. Any depiction of
sadistic or sexual violence which is likely
to pose a harm risk will be subject to
intervention through classification, cuts or
even, as a last resort, a refusal to classify.
We may refuse to classify content which
makes sexual or sadistic violence look
appealing or acceptable, reinforces the
suggestion that victims enjoy sexual violence,
or invites viewer complicity in sexual violence
or other harmful violent activities.
We are also unlikely to classify content
which is so demeaning or degrading to
human dignity (for example, it consists of
strong abuse, torture or death without any
significant mitigating factors) that it may pose
a harm risk."
The Classification category
- U
- PG
- 12A
- 15
- 18
- R18
U ( Universal - suitable for all):
A film with the category of U is suitable for audiences aged for years and over U films are said to be set within a positive framework, meaning that they should refrain themselves from making children sad, reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror.
for a U film, the specific classification considerations have limitations (as they are for audiences which are young).
Discrimination: Discriminatory language or behaviour is rare, rarely accepted when clearly disapproved within the movie.
Drugs: References to illegal drugs or drug misuse must be infrequent or have a clear education purpose or anti-drug message (which is suitable for young children)
Imitable behavior: potentially dangerous or anti-social behavior which young children could copy must be clearly disapproved or. No emphasis on realistic or easily accessible weapons.
Language: Infrequent use only of "very mild" bad language.
Nudity: Occasional nudity, no sexual context.
Sex: only very mild sexual behavior like kissing and references to such behavior.
Threat: scary or potentially unsettling sequences should be mild, brief and should not cause any form of anxiety to young children.
Violence: Violence will generally be very mild, only acceptable if it is justified by context (for example comedic or unrealistic).
PG (Parental Guidance):
A PG film should not unsettle a child that is aged 8 or older. Unaccompanied children of any age may watch, but parents are advised to consider whether the contents may upset younger (or more sensitive) children.
Discrimination: Discriminatory language or behavior is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly disapproved of but unlike the Universal rating, is acceptable in a educational or historical context.
Drugs: References to illegal drugs or drug misuse must be innocuous or carry a suitable anti-drug message.
Imitable behavior: No detail of potentially dangerous behavior which young children are likely to copy, if that behavior is presented as safe or fun. No glamorization of realistic (or easily accessible weaponry). There should be no focus on anti-social behavior which young children are likely to copy.
Language: "Mild Bad" language only. Aggressive or very frequent use of "mild bad" language may result in a higher age rating.
Nudity: There may be nudity with no sexual context.
Sex: sexual activity may be implied, but should be discreet and infrequent. Mild sex references and innuendo's only.
Threat: Frightening sequences or situations where characters are in danger should not be prolonged or intense.
Violence: Violence will usually be mild. However there may be moderate violence, without detail, if justified b its context.
12A/12 - Suitable for 12 years and older.
Films classified by 12A are generally not suitable for children under the age of 12. No one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless they are accompanied by an adult.
Discrimination: Discriminatory Language or behavior must not be endorsed by the work as a while. Aggressive discriminatory language or behavior is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly condemned.
Drugs: Misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorized or give instructional detail.
Imitable behavior: No promotion of potentially dangerous behavior which children are likely to copy. Weapons which are easily obtainable like knives should not be glamorized. There should be no endorsement for anti-social behavior.
Language: There may be moderate language. Strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used. Strong language must be infrequent within the work as a while and must be justified via context.
Nudity: There may be nudity in a 12A film but if taken in a sexual context, it must be brief and discreet.
Sex: Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Moderate sexual references are permitted but frequent,crude references are not likely to be accepted into this age rating.
Threat: There may be moderate physical and psychological threat and horror sequences.Some scenes may be disturbing but the overall tone should not be. Horror sequences should not be frequent.
Violence: Moderate violence is acceptable but it should not "dwell on the detail". There should be no emphasis on blood (or injuries) but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context. Sexual Violence may only be implied or briefly (and discreetly) indicated, justified by the context.
15 - Suitable for 15 years and older
No one younger than 15 may see a 15 film in cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a 15 rated film.
Discrimination: The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behavior, although there may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory themes and language.
Drugs: Drug taking may be shown but the whole work. Drugs must not promote or encourage drug misuse (for example, through instructional detail). The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (like aerosols) is unlikely to be acceptable.
Imitable behavior: Dangerous behavior (for example hanging, suicide and self harm) should not dwell on detail. Whether the depiction of easily accessible weapons is acceptable and will depend on factors such as realism, context and setting.
Language: There may be strong Language. Very Strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using the language and its frequency as a whole.
Nudity: There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. There may be nudity in a sexual contexts but without strong detail.
Sex: sexual activity may be portrayed but usually without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behavior but the strongest references are not likely going to be accepted unless justified by context.
Threat: there ma be strong threat and horror. A sustained focus on sadistic or sexual threat is unlikely to be acceptable.
Violence: Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are likely to not be accepted. Strong sadistic violence is also unlikely to be accepted.
There may be detailed verbal referenced to sexual violence but the depiction of sexual violence must be discreet and justified by context.
18 - Suitable for adults only:
No one younger than 18 may see an 18 film in cinema. No one younger than 18 may rent or buy an 18 rated movie. Adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:
Material is in breach of criminal law or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence. Material appears to risk harm to individuals or through their behavior to society.
Sex work at 18 is explicit, containing clear images of real sex, strong material animated images or other very strong sexual images
are confined to the R18 category.
I do not need to go into detail of the R18 category but a quick description of an R18 is to be shown only in specially licensed cinemas or supplied only in licensed sex shops to adults only.
This information was sourced from the British Board of Film Classification's website
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