Age certificate

Here I will look at the age classifications requirements in the UK. Using this I can decide which age certificate to put on my trailer when it is made.

The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) has 7 age certificates; R18, 18, 15, 12, 12A, PG, and U. This is what each one is certified by:

 U: The BBFCstates that "The U symbol stands for Universal. A U film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over." and that "Films or DVDs with this BBFCinsight should raise no significant issues in terms of discrimination, drugs, horror, imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex, theme or violence."
The sorts of themes that are passed at U:
"A U film can explore most themes, as long as the treatment is appropriate to a young audience. This doesn’t mean that all films rated U are children’s films – many adult films, especially older works, are rated U because they don’t contain any strong issues.
A children’s work at U will generally contain positive messages about loyalty, honesty and friendship, particularly amongst children. The film or DVD will have a happy ending for the child and the overall tone should be one of reassurance.
U films are unlikely to contain discriminatory language or behaviour unless it is clearly disapproved of."

PG: "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."

12A and 12: 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 (eg someone over the age of 18), who must watch the film with them."
12 and 12A are basically the same, this is the difference according to the BBFC; "The 12 certificate is just for videos, DVDs and Blu-rays. 12A is for films at the cinema only."
The tone of the film can dictate the classification of a film, e.g. "a work which has a very dark or unsettling tone which could disturb the audience would be less likely to be passed 12A even if the individual issues in the film were considered acceptable under the BBFC guidelines. Similarly, if a work is particularly positive or reassuring this may stop it being pushed up a category from 12A to 15."

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

• strong violence
• frequent strong language (eg '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"

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

• very strong violence
• frequent strong language (eg 'f***') and/or very strong language (eg ‘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"

R18: "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’ videos may not be supplied by mail order."

Looking at this I believe that my trailer will come under either a PG or 12 rating as it shouldn't be disturbing to viewers and will have a generally light feel to it. Having a lower classification means that more people are able to see it and as such my film would be more popular and would be able to be advertised more freely.