FIlm certifications Research

Film certificate classification

In order for a film to be classified as a U it would have to fit to the following expectations:

Discrimination

No discriminatory language or behaviour unless clearly disapproved of.

Drugs

No references to illegal drugs or drug misuse unless they are infrequent and innocuous, or there is a clear educational purpose or anti-drug message suitable for young children.

Horror

Scary sequences should be mild, brief and unlikely to cause undue anxiety to young children. The outcome should be reassuring.

Imitable behaviour

No potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy. No emphasis on realistic or easily accessible weapons.

Language

Infrequent use only of very mild bad language.

Nudity

Occasional natural nudity, with no sexual context.

Sex

Mild sexual behaviour (for example, kissing) and references only (for example, to ‘making love’).

Theme

While problematic themes may be present, their treatment must be sensitive and appropriate for young children.

Violence

Mild violence only. Occasional mild threat or menace only.

  For a PG certificate classification.

Discrimination

Discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly disapproved of or in an educational or historical context.  Discrimination by a character with which children can readily identify is unlikely to be acceptable.

Drugs

References to illegal drugs or drug misuse must be innocuous or carry a suitable anti-drug message.

Horror

Frightening sequences should not be prolonged or intense. Fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor.

Imitable behaviour

No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy. No glamorisation of realistic or easily accessible weapons.

Language

Mild bad language only.

Nudity

Natural nudity, with no sexual context.

Sex

Sexual activity may be implied, but should be discreet and infrequent. Mild sex references and innuendo only.

Theme

Where more serious issues are featured (for example, domestic violence) nothing in their treatment should condone unacceptable behaviour.

Violence

Moderate violence, without detail, may be allowed, if justified by its context (for example, history, comedy or fantasy).

   For a 12 and 12A classification. They’re exactly the same just 12A is used for cinemas and 12 is used on DVD’s

Discrimination

Discriminatory language or behaviour must not be endorsed by the work as a whole. Aggressive discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly condemned.

Drugs

Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or give instructional detail.

Horror

Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained.

Imitable behaviour

Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied, or appear pain or harm free.  Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

Language

Moderate language is allowed. The use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’) must be infrequent.

Nudity

Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet.

Sex

Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. Frequent crude references are unlikely to be acceptable.

Theme

Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.

Violence

Moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated, and must have a strong contextual justification.

 For a 15 certificated film it would have to follow the following guidelines:
Discrimination

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

Drugs

Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.

Horror

Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.

Imitable behaviour

Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

Language

There may be frequent use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’). The strongest  terms (for example, ‘cunt’) may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.

Nudity

Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.

Sex

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

Theme

No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds.

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 or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.

Suitable only for adults

No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a cinema.

No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video.

In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC’s public consultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, at ‘18’ the BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally override the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:

• where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence
• Where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault
• Where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in ‘R18’ works, and in ‘sex works’ (see below) would normally be confined to that category.

In the case of video works (including video games), which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent than for cinema films.

Sex education at ‘18’

Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safer sex and health, explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted.

Sex works at ‘18’

Sex works are works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation. Sex works containing only material which may be simulated are generally passed ‘18’. Sex works containing clear images of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit animated images, or other very strong sexual images will be confined to the ‘R18’ category. Material which is unacceptable in a sex work at ‘R18’ is also unacceptable in a sex work at ‘18’.

To be shown only in specially licensed cinemas, or supplied only in licensed sex shops, and to adults of not less than 18 years

The ‘R18’ category is a special and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and video works may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops. ‘R18’ video works may not be supplied by mail order. The following content is not acceptable:

• any material which is in breach of the criminal law, including material judged to be obscene under the current interpretation of the Obscene Publications Act 1959
• material (including dialogue) likely to encourage an interest in sexually abusive activity (for example, paedophilia, incest or rape) which may include adults role-playing as non-adults
• the portrayal of any sexual activity which involves lack of consent (whether real or simulated). Any form of physical restraint which prevents participants from indicating a withdrawal of consent
• the infliction of pain or acts which may cause lasting physical harm, whether real or (in a sexual context) simulated. Some allowance may be made for moderate, non-abusive, consensual activity
• penetration by any object associated with violence or likely to cause physical harm
• any sexual threats, humiliation or abuse which does not form part of a clearly consenting role-playing game. Strong physical or verbal abuse, even if consensual, is unlikely to be acceptable.

These Guidelines will be applied to the same standard regardless of sexual orientation.

I was doing research on age certificates to see where our film will stand regarding what age is the most appropriate to show to because obviously we don’t want people of a younger age to see it. Not after learning about real previous experiences where children of a young age have been influenced by certain actions and behaviour.

I found this information on, http://www.bbfc.co.uk/classification/guidelines

Student Films Research

What works well and what doesn’t work so well in a student film.
What works well?

1)      Good direction to make it seem as real as possible.

2)      Good actors

3)      Consistency throughout the film keeping it at a high standard. (no sudden change of weather where its been filmed on two different days in same location)

4)      Having a few ideas for every scene so you’re not narrowed down to just one thing so if you can’t get that particular thing perfect you can go to plan B which in some films plan B looks a lot better than their original idea.

5)      Simple and quality.
what doesn’t work so well?

1)      Last minute actors being used.

2)      Lack of direction by production team.

3)      Complicated and tackey. Quantity isn’t quality.

4)      Things looking as though theyre being rushed so or it feeling quite awkward watching it when its not meant to be.

5)      Films that have clearly not been planned and organised.

Looking at some student films its clear that the more work you put into it and the more thought you put into executing the film the better it will be because without planning you go with your first idea and its hard to elaborate from it and give reasons as to why you did things when you don’t know why you thought of that and how it is better than another idea you had. (easy marks dropped!)

Audience's Expectations

Reasons for finding out the Audiences expectations.
The main reason for finding out the audiences expectations is so we know exactly what we need to put in our film in order to get a larger audience. Because we’re doing our film independently we going to struggle to have a large audience so most probably have a niche audience and if we didn’t know what the audience wanted then we would struggle to have any audience.

Other reasons for asking for the audiences expectations are:

1) so we can question everything we do and ask ourselves, is that what they wanted? Otherwise everything would be so easy.

2) Give us a better understanding of how we’re going to go about producing our film and where with regards to location and which scene suits the needs best for the viewer.

3) When things are going to be overlooked we can justify as to why we did it or why we shouldn’t do it.

Film Opening Research

My sisters keeper

The opening sequence gives the audience an idea that the genre is drama. During the opening sequence there is a lot of family/childhood pictures which could mean something is going to upset the family The images created and shown are very dreamy and happy which could suggest that they are thoughts and happy memories of the past. The lighting is light with lots of warm colours to show the love in the family. There is a very quiet and calming music in the background to make it seem like everything is happy but the voice over reflects the drama as she narrates what bad things are happening to her family The location of the images shown are all of the family home which suggests that the drama relates to someone in the family and what happens to them Warm orange colours are used.

FIlm Opening Research

Atonement film opening analysis.Credits come on the screen in typewriting style with diegectic sound of the keys being pressed down as the letters appear on the screen. the title is also typed on the picture a letter at a time as though it is being typed at that same point with the diegectic sound of the type writer.

Title cuts to shot of elaborate dolls house which Signifies wealth to the audience. May also suggest youth and innocence, as it is obviously a child’s toy.

Camera tilts up from toy animals to show the rest of the bedroom and the main character. Room is decorated in a wealthy 1930’s style. Natural High-key lighting comes through window.

Differences between a trailer and a film opening

Difference between a trailer and a Film opening.

The difference between a movie trailer and a film opening is a movie trailer gives you the keys bits of the film without the details so it drags you into wanting to see it at the cinema or to buy it on DVD whereas with a film opening you don’t see any of the film or at least you won’t have a clue as to what is going to happen it gives nothing about the film away. You might see the setting and that’s about it.

On a movie trailer the film title is usually at the end whereas on a film opening its usually the second or third picture you see after the production company.

Titles are completely different. In a movie opening you’ll find in most films they’re in the same sort of order with regards to actors, production team, picture, lighting and music everything you can think of as to what played part in completing in film is in a certain order whereas in a movie trailer you’ll see the main people, so the actors and the production company.

The general idea of a Film opening is to drag you into the movie so you want to know what’s going to happen as you won’t have any idea whereas a movie trailer is trying to get you to see the film so make it look a lot better than it usually is by just showing the best parts of the film to get you to buy it or pay to see it.

Audience's Expectations

Audiences expectations on a psychological thriller.  (11-18 year old students)

Our group have come to a joint decision that we’re going to produce a psychological thriller. We don’t want to make it just on what we expect a psychological thriller would contain so im asking people at random what they would expect from a psychological thriller giving us a better understanding of how to go about producing it and also meeting the audiences expectations as “the audience have the greatest power”.

1) “You would expect that you would be questioning the film and what you think most of the time” – 15yr old girl.

2) “It would have to be scary and creepy, like so it gets your mind working from two directions where you’re thinking about it as well” –  12 year old boy.

3) “In order to make a good psychological thriller you would need it to be a mainstream film so you can get big actors names in it so it’s played well” -16 year old girl.

4) “you would think there would be some kind of crazy obsession or something” – 14 year old girl.

5) “I would want to fear something that turns out to be good, like so it changes” – 11 year old boy.

6) “Its always good to have tension in a psychological thriller seeing as it is tense in most thrillers but I really would want to question myself as to why it might be tense”- 16 year old girl.

7) “maybe something like the goody turns out to be the bady and the person you don’t  trust in the film turns out to be the goody” – 12 year old boy.

8) “creepy, crazy, mind blowing,  not so easy to follow so youre constantly question the story and just insane!” – 15 year old boy.

We had completely different views on what it should contain but all very helpful but because it was such a broad expectation list from the people chosen at complete random we’re only going to aim for about three and those three should cover most the other expectations.