Film Industry: BBFC film regulation

1) Research the BBFC in more detail: what is the institution responsible for? How is it funded? What link does it have to government?

The British Board of Film Classification is responsible for the classification of videos under the Video Recording Act 1984. The BBFC is not a profit organisation, and it's fees are adjusted only to cover it's costs. The BBFC never recieves subsidies from either the film industry or the government. Their income is solely rom the fees they charge for their services which is calculated by measuring the running time of films or DVDs submitted for classification. The BBFC has to consult with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport before making any changes to it's fees.

2) Read this BBFC guide to how films are rated. Summarise the process in 50 words.

The Boards age rating decisions are reached by a consensus with the chief executive, the president and the two vice presidents. Compliance officers normally view DVD submissions on their own called solo-viewing. Films released in other languages are viewed by linguistic people. Work is referred for further viewing by a team if they are unsure about an issue.

3) Read this BBFC outline of the issues faced when classifying a film. Summarise the debate in 50 words.

Work should be allowed to reach a wider audience no matter what content is in the film. Whether the material is in conflict with law or created through the commission of a criminal offence, it should still be viewed by the audience. However the main issues that should be taken into account include: violence, sex, language, drugs, horror etc.

4) Read this BBFC section on controversial decisions. Why did The Dark Knight generate a large amount of media coverage regarding its certificate? Do you agree with the 12A certificate The Dark Knight was awarded?

People had given complaints because they thought that the violence in the film was too strong to be in this category. I think that if the violence was too strong the film should have been given a certificate of 15 which would have not caused these controversial debates regarding the film.

5) What are the guidelines for a 15 certificate?

The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour, although there may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory themes and language.

Drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse (for example, through instructional detail). The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.

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, its frequency within the work as a whole and any special contextual justification

There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. There may be nudity in a sexual context but usually without strong detail.

Sexual activity may be portrayed, but usually without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.

There may be strong threat and horror. A sustained focus on sadistic or sexual threat is unlikely to be acceptable.

6) The BBFC website offers an explanation of every classification it makes and detailed case studies on selected titles. Look at the rating for Chicken and explain why it was given a 15 certificate.

It was given an age rating of 15 because it contained strong language used by the brother Polly and a lot of violence was seen. The strong violence was seen in the film where the brother would abuse Richards character.