Research Into Certificate Of Film

U and PJ

What does U mean?

The U symbol stands for Universal. A U film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. However, it is impossible to predict what might upset a particular child, especially at this lower end of the category range. 

What does PG mean?

PG stands for Parental Guidance. This means a film is suitable for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for younger children. A PG film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. Parents should consider whether the content might upset younger or more sensitive children.

Will there be any bad language in a U film?

At U we only allow very mild bad language (e.g. ‘damn’ and ‘hell’). Occasionally, bad language such as ‘bloody’ or ‘bugger’ may be included, where justified by the context.

Bad language is not used in our film, as we feel it is not relevant and is unnecessary as there is no situation in which our protagonist is put it where she has to use bad language.

Do U works contain any sexual activity?

Characters may be seen kissing or cuddling and there may be references to sexual behaviour (i.e. to ‘making love’). However, there will be no overt focus on sexual behaviour, language or innuendo.

At all categories heterosexual and homosexual sexual behaviour and activities are treated the same – so there could be occasional very mild references to gay or straight sex at U.

PG's references to sex are acceptable if the activity talked about or shown is implied and lacking in detail. In addition, if a child is unlikely to understand a reference, we may allow it at PG. Comedy can also often lessen the impact of sex references and innuendo.

I use this as an example of what U contains, however sexual activity is not apart of our short film therefore our certificate will not be affected by this if we decide upon our film being a U, 12 or even 15.

Is violence or horror permitted in a U film?

A U film may include brief fight scenes or moments where characters are placed in danger. However, moments of emotional stress or threat will be quickly resolved and the outcome will be reassuring.

There may be brief scary scenes and moments where the characters are placed in danger. As with violence, however, these scenes will be balanced by reassuring elements, such as comic interludes or music.

‘Baddie’ characters may carry or use weapons, but there will be no emphasis on these. Child or ‘hero’ characters are unlikely to use any kind of weapon outside, for example, historical settings.

This means that if our film was to be a U, we would not be able to use the plot of murder at the end. This would ruin the twist to the film, as our film is about the choice of money and murder or nothing. Therefore, our film is not a U because of the storyline and considered 'scary scenes'. 

12A

12A means that anyone aged 12 or over can go and see the film unaccompanied. The A stands for 'accompanied' and 'advisory'. Children younger than 12 may see the film if they are accompanied by an adult (e.g. someone over the age of 18), who must watch the film with them. 

What's the difference between 12 and 12A?

The 12 certificate is just for videos, DVDs and Blu-rays. 12A is for films at the cinema only.

 

Will there be uses of strong language in a 12 or 12A work?

The BBFC's Guidelines state that there may be strong language (eg 'f***') at 12 or 12A, but it must be infrequent. The context of the strong language is important. Aggressive uses of strong language may result in a film or DVD being placed at the 15 category. There is some allowance for puns on strong language at this category.

There may be moderate language (e.g. uses of terms such as ‘bitch’ and ‘twat’ at 12 or 12A).

 

Any discriminatory language will not be endorsed by the work as a whole. Aggressive discriminatory language (for example homophobic or racist terms) is unlikely to be passed at 12 or 12A unless it is clearly condemned.

This sounds more like what will be involved in our film, as strong language may be used. However, it will not be used frequently but only to emphasise the situation our character is in. Also, strong language may be used in our film to show power of the loan shark. Furthermore, that the loan shark is not formal, which will suggest he has a dark side. No discriminatory language is necessary in our film, so that will not be a problem. 

Do 12A films contain sex?

Sex may be briefly and discreetly portrayed at 12 or 12A. Verbal sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. Comedy may lessen the impact of some moderate sex references or innuendo but frequent crude sex references are unlikely to be accepted at this category. There may be nudity in 12A films but sexual nudity should only be brief and discreet.

Same applies of the certificate of U.

Overall, our short film seems like a 12. It contains no sexual references, drugs or discriminatory language. It will contain some strong language, but not frequently as this will take the characters struggle away, making her look less weak and helpless.

15

What does the 15 symbol mean?

 No-one under 15 is allowed to see a 15 film at the cinema or buy/rent a ‘15’ rated DVD.  15 rated works are not suitable for children under 15 years of age.

Are there any limits on what sort of theme a work can have at 15?

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

Is 15 really stronger than 12A?

 Yes. 15 works are stronger than 12 or 12A rated works and could include any of the following:

·      strong violence

·         frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***').

·         portrayals of sexual activity

·         strong verbal references to sex

·         sexual nudity

·         brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence

·         discriminatory language or behaviour

·         drug taking

How much strong language is there in a 15?

There could potentially be a great deal. At 15 there is no upper limit on the number of uses of strong language (e.g. f***).

Occasionally there may be uses of the strongest terms (e.g. 'c***'), although continued or aggressive use will not normally be passed 15.

Our film will not contain any of the listed things, e.g. nudity, drug taking, sexual violence. Therefore, our film will not be rated 15. Nothing involved in our film couldn't be watched by a 12 year old. The language used in our film will not be the 'Strongest terms'. 

18

 

What does the 18 symbol mean?

Films rated 18 are for adults. No-one under 18 is allowed to see an 18 film at the cinema or buy/rent an 18 rated DVD. No 18 rated works are suitable for children.

Are there any limits on what sort of theme a work can have at 18?

No theme is prohibited at 18. Adults are free to pick their own entertainment within the law, so it is possible some themes tackled at 18 may be offensive even to some adult viewers.

What sort of issues might I find in an 18 film or DVD? 

 

18 works are for adults and can contain strong issues such as:

·        very strong violence

·         frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***') and/or very strong language (e.g. ‘c***’)

·         strong portrayals of sexual activity

·         scenes of sexual violence

·         strong horror

·         strong blood and gore

·         real sex (in some circumstances)

·         discriminatory language and behaviour

None of this will be included in our film.