Media regulation is the control or guidance of media content and other governing bodies. The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification), was introduced in 1912 and is legally backed by the Cinematography Act in 1909. It is responsible for the certification of films and DVDs, as well as online and mobile, film and television content. This system provides an age rating indicating the suggested age of viewing it's content, however this is not law.
Using the BBFC certification system, I have certified my film as a 15, making it suitable for ages 15 years and over.
"Films classified 15 contain material that is not generally suitable for children aged under 15.
No one younger than 15 may see a 15 film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a 15 rated video work."
Discrimination- "The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour, although there may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory themes and language." My film does not contain any discriminatory themes.
Drugs- "Drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse (for example, through instructive detail). The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable ". My film does not contain any drug use and any reference to it will present a negative representation. It does however hint at the idea of over dosing on prescription drugs, however this is not shown or glamourised.
Imitable behaviour- "Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Whether the depiction of easily accessible weapons is acceptable will depend on factors such as realism, context and setting". This is the area that prevents my film from being classified as a 12/ 12A. My film contains the strong theme of suicide, however this is not actually shown or dwelled upon in instructive detail. There is also no use of weapons.
Language- "There may be strong language. Very strong language may be permitted depending on the manner on which it is used, who is using the language, it's frequency within the work as a whole and any special contextual justification." My film does contain mention of strong language from the teenage characters in the film, however this is not used offensively.
Nudity- "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." There is one scene in my film where it may be implied that the characters are naked due to the context, however this is not long at all, particularly in the trailer.
Sex- "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 the context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be accepted." My film includes sexual references, however this is not strong or in detail.
Threat- "There may be strong threat and horror. A sustained focus on threat or sadistic or sexual threat is unlikely to be acceptable." My film does not contain much sense of threat other than minor high-school fighting and bullying.
Violence- "Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal reference to sexual violence but the depiction of sexual violence must be discreet and justified by context." The only violence in my film is high school bullying/ fighting, however there is no sexual or dangerous violence.
Having studied information from my focus group (some of which were under 15) and survey, I have decided that the features and themes of my film would suit a primary target audience of 15- 20. This makies this certification appropriate for my audience as well as the content.
Using the BBFC certification system, I have certified my film as a 15, making it suitable for ages 15 years and over.
"Films classified 15 contain material that is not generally suitable for children aged under 15.
No one younger than 15 may see a 15 film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a 15 rated video work."
Discrimination- "The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour, although there may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory themes and language." My film does not contain any discriminatory themes.
Drugs- "Drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse (for example, through instructive detail). The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable ". My film does not contain any drug use and any reference to it will present a negative representation. It does however hint at the idea of over dosing on prescription drugs, however this is not shown or glamourised.
Imitable behaviour- "Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Whether the depiction of easily accessible weapons is acceptable will depend on factors such as realism, context and setting". This is the area that prevents my film from being classified as a 12/ 12A. My film contains the strong theme of suicide, however this is not actually shown or dwelled upon in instructive detail. There is also no use of weapons.
Language- "There may be strong language. Very strong language may be permitted depending on the manner on which it is used, who is using the language, it's frequency within the work as a whole and any special contextual justification." My film does contain mention of strong language from the teenage characters in the film, however this is not used offensively.
Nudity- "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." There is one scene in my film where it may be implied that the characters are naked due to the context, however this is not long at all, particularly in the trailer.
Sex- "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 the context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be accepted." My film includes sexual references, however this is not strong or in detail.
Threat- "There may be strong threat and horror. A sustained focus on threat or sadistic or sexual threat is unlikely to be acceptable." My film does not contain much sense of threat other than minor high-school fighting and bullying.
Violence- "Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal reference to sexual violence but the depiction of sexual violence must be discreet and justified by context." The only violence in my film is high school bullying/ fighting, however there is no sexual or dangerous violence.
Having studied information from my focus group (some of which were under 15) and survey, I have decided that the features and themes of my film would suit a primary target audience of 15- 20. This makies this certification appropriate for my audience as well as the content.