Film classification research and preperation

How are films classified?
Step 1
Once a movie is finished or ready to be sold on video or DVD, its owner, (often called a 'distributor'), sends it into the BBFC with a form telling us vital information about its length, whether it's on film, video or DVD and even what classification they would like it to have. They have to pay to have their film or video/DVD examined and classified.     
Step 2
The film or DVD then gets measured by the BBFC's Technical Department. This is very important because distributors are charged according to the length of their film or video/DVD. This department also checks the quality of the film to make sure it's good enough to be viewed by the examiners, the people who will eventually recommend a classification for it.
Step 3
With so many films and DVDs coming into the BBFC, it's up to the Information Services Department to make sure that everything gets examined and classified as soon as possible. A daily schedule or timetable is created on the BBFC's computer system that lists all the films and DVDs that need to be examined.
Step 4
Examiners check the schedule to see what to watch. It might be DVDs, films or both. These are normally watched by a team of two examiners. Examiners take notes and then decide on a classification. They write a report on each film or DVD, no matter how short. The BBFC classifies trailers, adverts and DVD add-ons as well. The report is read and checked by Senior Examiners, who will confirm the classification. Sometimes a movie is watched by a second team to help make sure that it gets the right classification.
Step 5
The owner, or distributor, is told the decision and later sent a certificate with the classification on it. They can then begin to think about releasing their film. The certificate, sometimes called 'the black card' has to be shown at the start of each cinema screening. For DVDs, the distributor has to make sure every copy has the correct BBFC classification symbol on its cover.

What are the main film classifications?

• Universal
• Parental guidence
• 12 Accompnied
• 12
• 15
• 18
• Restricted 18

Why are they classifed?
Films are classified to make sure it is suitable for the age range. For example a horror movie which has the potential to be very frightening and affect someones life because of the horror of it a young person would not be suitable for this movie as they may not be able to seperate it from real life.

By whom?
British board of film classification

Film classification is a crucial part of film distrubution. why?
When making a film the producers have to think about what age range they want the film to be targeted at  and then think whether it will be approved for that age range and get the right film classification. If they then dont get the right certificate the film may not be distributed very well therefore you have to think beforehand. It also may effect where the film is disrtibuted. For example uxbridge cinema show a lot of family movies because it is a shopping centre with a lot of shops for young children.

How effective is film classification?

The movie rating system has had a number of high profile critics. Film critic Roger Ebert argues that the system places too much emphasis on not showing sex while allowing the portrayal of massive amounts of gruesome violence. Moreover, he argues that the rating system is geared toward looking at trivial aspects of the movie (such as the number of times a profane word is used) rather than at the general theme of the movie (for example, if the movie realistically depicts the consequences of sex and violence). He has called for an A (adults only) rating, to indicate films high in violence or mature content that should not be marketed to teenagers, but do not have NC-17 levels of sex. Therefore it is not always effective because some people may disagree with the film classification.

 

Have you watched films classified as 18 when you were below this age?

I have watched 15's before i was 15 however i was not allowed to watch 18's when i was young but i would be allowed to know at the age of 16.

 

Does filmclassification work for home viewing? e.g  DVD, netflix, Lovefilm downloads?

A lot of the movie sites you have to be 18 to apply for therefore they may assume that you are the adult and you are controlling what the person is watching.  However some certain websites and movie chanells on the telly have a pin code a parent or owner has to type in or you have to confirm you are a certain age. However people can lie easilly.

 

Can parents or guardians be trusted to monitor what children are viewing?

If the parent is responsible they should be trusted. However it is their child and they would have to deal with the consequence of letting their child watch a film. For example if the child is very scared and gets distressed and cannot sleep at night. They are responsible for their children and should be trusted.

 

Should they have this responsibility? How can they effectively monitor their childrens viewing?

They should have responsiblility because it is their child and they have control of their childrens lives. Laptops and computers have special parent locks and controls that can view what their child is doig online etc which they can control what there child is viewing as well as putting more pins and locks on the tellys and computers and having to ask permission to watch things on websites or things like Lovefilm and netflix.

 

What do you think the balance between state intervention and individual responsiblity should be?

I think there should still be film classifications on films to guide parents and guardians to what their child should and shouldnt be watching but it should come down to individual and parental responsibility and what they think there child should be watching because although there is laws and classification if a parents allows a child to do something they will do it and even if they dont give then permission they would probably still find a way so parents need to have more control if the child is younger. If it is a teenager however i think they should have individual responsibility and it should be up to them if they want to watch a movie and use the classifications as a guide but then have to deal with the consequences of watching that movie whatever they may be.