British board of film classification
The British Board of Film Classification's purpose is to ensure that films are suitable for the different age groups. We will most likely decide to aim our horror at the 15 and over age category as it will allow a bigger audience, rather than limiting it to 18 and over. The BBFC gave us many guidelines on what was allowed for the age group of 15. The following information was taken directly from the BBFC website.
Are there any limits on what theme a project can have at 15?
No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year
olds.
How much strong language is there in a 15?
There could potentially be a great deal. At 15 there is no upper limit on the
number of uses of strong language. Occasionally there may be uses of the strongest terms.
What about discriminatory or offensive terms?
There may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language, and the project could explore themes relating to this. However, at 15 the work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.
How much sex and nudity is allowed at 15?
At 15 sexual activity can be portrayed, as long as there is no strong or graphic detail. Some sex scenes can be quite long at this category and may involve some nudity and movement. Though nudity may be allowed in a sexual context there should be no strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. There can be strong references to sex and sexual behaviour, but especially strong or crude references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Heterosexual and homosexual sex and sex references are treated the same.
Can there be strong violence?
Yes, at 15 violence may be strong. It should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury, however, and the strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be
acceptable. Easily accessible weapons may not be glamorised.
What about sexual violence?
There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence (for example descriptions of rape or sexual assault in a courtroom scene or in victim testimony) but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.
What about horror works?
Many horror films are rated 15. At 15 there can be strong threat and menace (as long as it is not sadistic or sexualised), although the strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.
What about dangerous behaviour or things teens might copy?
We consider the risk of potential harm to impressionable teenagers. For example, dangerous behaviour such as hanging, suicide and self-harming should not dwell on detail which could be copied.
A.R
Are there any limits on what theme a project can have at 15?
No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year
olds.
How much strong language is there in a 15?
There could potentially be a great deal. At 15 there is no upper limit on the
number of uses of strong language. Occasionally there may be uses of the strongest terms.
What about discriminatory or offensive terms?
There may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language, and the project could explore themes relating to this. However, at 15 the work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.
How much sex and nudity is allowed at 15?
At 15 sexual activity can be portrayed, as long as there is no strong or graphic detail. Some sex scenes can be quite long at this category and may involve some nudity and movement. Though nudity may be allowed in a sexual context there should be no strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. There can be strong references to sex and sexual behaviour, but especially strong or crude references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Heterosexual and homosexual sex and sex references are treated the same.
Can there be strong violence?
Yes, at 15 violence may be strong. It should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury, however, and the strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be
acceptable. Easily accessible weapons may not be glamorised.
What about sexual violence?
There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence (for example descriptions of rape or sexual assault in a courtroom scene or in victim testimony) but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.
What about horror works?
Many horror films are rated 15. At 15 there can be strong threat and menace (as long as it is not sadistic or sexualised), although the strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.
What about dangerous behaviour or things teens might copy?
We consider the risk of potential harm to impressionable teenagers. For example, dangerous behaviour such as hanging, suicide and self-harming should not dwell on detail which could be copied.
A.R
For our opening title sequence we used the age range 15 as we thought that young teenagers would enjoy it as they could relate to the actors in our title sequence as they are near enough the same ages. There is quite alot of pain and injury in our opening title sequence and also some gore which also makes it a 15 as it would be to scary and too violent for anyone younger. We also thought that 15 year olds are coming to terms with there sexuality.
A.M
A.M