Regulations
Now our final major project is complete, like any film, TV programme or video game, our animation needs to be given a certificate. The British Board of Film Classification is currently under stable care of president Quentin Thomas. This is an organisation that what classification each film, TV programme or video game requires.
The following acts help determine the film classification and censorship:
Public order act 1986 - This is an act to abolish the common law offences of riot, unlawful behavior and other offences relating to public order. The film Casino Royale was classified as a 12/12a despite scenes of strong violence and torture.
Sexual offences act 2003 - This is an act to make new provision about sexual offences, their prevention and the protection of children from harm from other sexual acts. This act replace the previous sexual offences laws with more specific wording, and creating new offences such as assault through penetration, non-consensual voyeurism though a child, and penetration of a corpse.
Tobacco advertising and promotions act 2002 - This is simply an act to control the advertising and promotion of tobacco products. As health risks have become more apparent through tobacco, laws have been put into place, so that everyone is aware of the dangers of it, and so they have limited access. Due to this it is now illegal to advertise and promote these products.
The licensing act 2003 - This act simply states that a license needs to be held for the sale or supply of alcohol and to provide regulated entertainment. This act define the following licensable activities as; the retail of alcohol, the supply of alcohol in clubs, provision of late night refreshment and entertainment, exhibitions of plays, films, live music or any playing of recorded music, etc.
Obscene publications act 1984 - An act to amend the law relating to the publication of obscenity, to provide for the protection of literature and to strengthen the law concerning pornography. This in terms of film, can allow it to be judged as a whole rather than single scenes being judged as indecent. Today films that contain nudity or penetration are primarily classified as an 18.
A film is classified by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) which decides what age certificate is appropriate from a "U" to "R18". There are many ways that can distinguish between the two. Examples of these are:
- Discrimination - This means it can potentially have offensive content, relating to race, gander, religion, disability, sexuality, etc. Generally if a film contains sections of racism, it is going to get into trouble. But in White Chicks, the black male leads are racist towards themselves and that is deemed ok.
- Drugs - If there is drug use within a film, and it is being promoted and glamorised may be cut, whereas if there is drug use which is emphasising the dangers will receive less restrictive classification. Alcohol abuse will be carefully considered as to ensure that children won't get the wrong impression. Cigarette use is also the same due to health dangers, and brand names will be cut out completely. The film Pineapple Express contains strong drug use of cannabis even glamorising it, it was classified a '15' as it had some bits cut including a scene where it was dealt to school children.
-Horror - Older audiences often pay to see horror films due to the suspense and shock elements. Children however, are young and vulnerable and could well and truly scare or unsettle them. Horror doesn't have to include blood or guts for it to be scary, the music and suspense can have the same effect and have a lower classification. For example, the remake of Woman In Black starring Daniel Radcliffe, was classified as a 12A as it included no gore or even bad language.
- Imitable behaviour and violence - Classification decisions will be taken into account of any detailed portrayal of criminal and violent techniques or and glamorisation of easily accessible weapons such as knives. Also portrayal of anti-social behaviour such as bullying is also likely to receive a more restrictive classification, along with dangerous behaviour such as suicide and self-harming as young people can get ideas and likely to copy. Violence has always been classed as entertainment for both children and adults. Classification will be decided by the degree and nature. However strict policy is applied when dealing with sexual violence and rape.
- Language - Many people are offended by bad language. The extent of offense varies according to age, gender, race, background and religious beliefs. The film London Boulevard was classified an '18' even though the violence was not shown, there was one reference to the word c*** so the classification went up.
- Sex and nudity - To classify this depends on the portrayal of sexual content. This can range from kissing to details of real sex. Even references can classify a film a '15'. Nudity is roughly the same, depending on the extent of it.
- Theme - This refers to to subjects than people was see as offensive and will be classified accordingly. Such as; drug abuse, sexual violence, paedophilia, racial and domestic violence, etc. These subjected films are usually classified as an '18' or sometimes even '15'.
Video games are also classified under the same rules.
It is the BBFC's to classify a film or video game into one of the seven categories. These are the following:
- U - A 'U' is short for universal, which generally means suitable for all. Every child is different, and its impossible to predict what might upset a young child. A 'U' film should be suitable for young children aged four years and over, but children below that age are allowed to watch it, even at the cinema. These films contain mild scary sequences and violence, and mild sexual behaviour (kissing) and nudity. They usually contain elements of fantasy and often animated (primarily Disney).
- PG - This is an abbreviation of parental guidance. These films are aimed at children about 8 years and older, but can be watched by younger. Parents are advised to make this decision as some of the content can upset certain children. The Toy Story trilogy are rated a PG because it is suitable for young children, but also contains jokes and innuendos that adults can understand and appreciate too. It also contains mild scenes of horror, including a creepy doll that many people can be offended by.
- 12 - This means that the content is suitable for people 12 years and older. The content usually include mild language and light sex references, and also moderate violence.
- 12A - This refers to being suitable for 12 years and over. This classification is very similar to '12' but is for cinema use only, which means that children under 12 can watch it if they are accompanied by an adult (someone over 18). Some films are questioned under this category such as the horror film Woman In Black.
- 15 - This means the film is only suitable for people 15 years and over. No-one under the age of 15 can see this film at the cinema or rent or buy it with this rating. Films with this classification can contain adult themes such as drug use, frequent strong language or limited strong language, strong violence and sex references, and nudity without graphic detail. This is a fairly big jump from a '12', and most successful comedies fall under this classification.
- 18 - These films only adults can see, which means that it is only suitable for people of 18 years and older. No-one under 18 can view this film at the cinema or rent or purchase it. This classification doesn't have many restriction, so content such as strong language, strong sex and nudity, strong drug abuse, and strong violence is allowed. Many films containing violence and gang references are classified as an 18 including The Expendables.
- R18 - This classification is similar to an '18'. However it is only allowed to be shown in specially licensed cinema or supplied in licensed sex shops. Films under this category can very easily offend. The material is usually hard-core pornography, and contain detailed penetration (often involving 3 people), strong fetish material, references to underage sex, paedophilia, incest, rape. It could also contain elements of non-sexual pain, including self-harm.
Another factor to look at when looking at classification is to see how films are different on DVD than they are at the cinema. For example, certain scenes of the film Trainspotting were cut out in the cinema version to make the classification lower. these scenes were then available when it was released to DVD.
After looking at all of the British film classifications I would say that our animation was a '12'. The majority of the scenes would be classified as a '12', but one scene in particular contains a light sex reference. However there is no detail or even any sound which would be deemed inappropriate. The scene was necessary due to the previous scenes building up to it, which focuses on the two main characters as their love for each other progresses. It is a part of nature, and as our target audience is aged 15-25 it seemed more than appropriate not cut that scene out.
Bibliography
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Order_Act_1986
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_Offences_Act_2003
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obscene_Publications_Act_1959
www.sbbfc.co.uk
No comments:
Post a Comment