The BBFC Laws

I have looked into what I can and can’t include in my trailer as anything which could cause offense cannot be shown/must be given a high classification. Although I am only showing short snippets of the film itself, it still needs to be given a classification so that the audience watching the trailer are aware of what age group the film is suitable for.

The Obscene Publications Acts 1959 and 1964

   A film trailer could be seen as obscene if it includes content which could have a negative impact on a majority of the audience viewing it, causing them to be influenced by it. However if it is argued that the text is for the good of the public on the basis that it is in the interests of science, art, literature or learning or other topics of concern then no offense has been committed.

The Protection of Children Act 1978

    It is illegal to create, distribute, show or process ‘indecent’ photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child under the age of 18 years old.  

The Public Order Act 1986

     It is illegal to distribute or play to the public a recording of images or sounds which are threatening, abusive or insulting if the intention is to stir up racial hatred or hatred on the justification of sexual orientation.  Images or sounds which are included to create religious hatred are banned.

Specific Classifications are given to films so that the content being shown is suitable for the age group/s viewing it, if classifications weren’t given then audiences could be offended and upset by the material.  

       

       12/12A rating (The same criteria are used to classify both 12 and 12A certificates): A 12/12A film should be suitable, in general for audiences aged 12 and over. 

       Discriminatory language or behaviour must not be recognised by the work as a whole. Unless it is clearly frowned upon, aggressive discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable. 

        If any misuse of drugs is shown it must be occasional and should not be glamorised or give any details on how to use drugs.

        Moderate physical and psychological threat is allowed, however disturbing sequences cannot be regular or constant.

         Any behaviour which is considered dangerous such as hanging, suicide and self harming should not linger on detail which could potentially be imitated, or appear painless or harmless. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.  

        Moderate language is allowed. If strong language such as ‘fuck’ is used it must be only occasional.  

         If nudity is shown it has to be concise and discreet.

         Sexual activity may be concisely and discreetly depicted. Any sex references which are used should not exceed which is considered as suitable for young teenagers. Constant references which are considered to be crude are unlikely to be allowed.  

           Mature themes are allowed, but their management must be suitable for young teenagers.

            If moderate violence is used it should not linger on detail. Injuries or blood should not be emphasised, however occasional gory scenes may be allowed if justified by the context.  Sexual violence may only be indicated or briefly and discreetly implied, and must have a strong contextual justification.  

       

        15 rating: A 15 rated film should be suitable only for audiences aged 15 and over.

    The work as a whole must not support discriminatory language or behaviour.

    The film as a whole must not support or encourage drug misuse; however drug taking may be shown.   

      It is unlikely to be acceptable to show the misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances such as aerosols or solvents. 

      Strong threat and menace are allowed providing that they are not brutal or sexualised.  

       Dangerous behaviour such as hanging, suicide and self-harming should not linger on detail which could be imitated. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.  

        Strong language such as ‘fuck’ can be used frequently. Stronger language such as use of the word ‘cunt’ may be allowed providing it can be justified by the context.  Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.  

        Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context providing that no strong details are shown. There are no restrictions on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.

        Sexual activity may be implied without strong detail. Strong verbal references to sexual behaviour are allowed, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose main purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.

        There are no themes which are banned, provided that the handling of it is appropriate for 15 year olds.

         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 cruel or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable.

          Detailed verbal references to sexual violence are allowed but any depiction of sexual violence must be discreet and have strong contextual validation.

           18 rating: An 18 rated film should be suitable only for adults aged 18 and over.

      no one under this age should be allowed to purchase or view any material with

      this rating.

            Following the findings of the BBFC’s public consultations The Human Rights Act 1998, at 18 the BBFCs guideline concerns will not normally overrule the idea that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. Any exceptions are likely to be in areas such as:

             Where the content of the text violates the criminal law, or has been created by the assignment of a criminal offense.  

              Where the material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society. For example, any detailed depiction of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This might include depictions of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example support sexual assault.

         Images of sexual activity which are more overt and cannot be justified by context.  Image such as these might be more appropriate for R18 works and in ‘sex’ works’.

As my film trailer is a crime comedy I don’t think that it needs a high rating because the content is relatively light hearted. I would probably classify my film as a 12 or 15 as bad language is used, but not regularly through out the film. Violence is also shown but it’s not gory or in detail, for example one of the characters has a fight with another.

i am going to put my film trailer within the 12 certificate because:

• The trailer doesn't show any scenes which use discriminatory language and the 12 certificate does state that texts may use it if it is clearly frowned upon. 
• No drug use is shown and drugs aren't referenced during any of the trailer. 
• Physical threat is included as one of the characters is shown aiming a gun however this is only shown a couple of times.
• The weapon which is used isn't glamourised as it's presented as a threat to a character. 
• The trailer is advertising a film which is relatively light hearted as it's both a comedy and an action film. So some of the footage which shows characters in rather dangerous situations (such as the car chase) is mocked (as they run out of petrol), making any violence included less intense and more appropriate for a younger age group.