Nohail Mohammed | Media Studies | Mr Teasdale

Age Regulations
The British Board of Film Classification is the company which
gives the films there age regulations for what they include in
there movie. There are many age ratings given out, they
include: U, PG, 12, 12a, 15 and 18. By law from the UK, films
have to have a rating due to the effects it can have on the
audience if the wrong age watched it. For example a child of 8
years shouldnt be watching an 18 as it contains scenes that
the child may copy and replicate.
U stands for Universal. The main audience for a U film is
people aged 4 years old and above. The film should be
positive with a reassuring counterbalance towards horror,
violence ectReferences to drugs are not allowed in the
movie unless theyre educational towards anti-drug
messaging. Mild use of bad language is allowed but very
infrequently, with occasionally nudity with no sexual acts
but acts of kissing are allowed. Anything that will scare the
person with threat or violence is not allowed for example
someone killing another. An example of a U rated film would
be Aladdin; the film is a cartoon animation film where
Aladdin summons a genie from a lamp but realises the evil
has caused him to try save Princess Jasmin. The film
doesnt involve any scenes of sexual nature, no swearing,
no drugs or scenes of threatening acts which is why the
childrens movie got the U rating it deserved.

Nohail Mohammed | Media Studies | Mr Teasdale

PG stands for Parental Guidance. A PG film shouldnt cause

discomfort to a child of 8 years or older however a child of
any age can watch as long as theyre accompanied by an
adult to judge whether or not their child is able to watch the
film. Just like a U, PG has roughly the same drug allowance
with the fact it has to have an anti-drug message behind it.
Dangerous behaviour that the child watching will copy is
not permitted such as using knifes. Additionally the PG is
the same as the U with their not being able to have sexual
content. Although, mild threat and scenes involving
violence are allowed along with mild innuendo. As for
language in this type of rated film, mild bad language is
accepted but frequent use of the language and an increase
in intensity of the language can cause the film to get a
rating higher up. An example of a PG rated film would be
Jumanji, a film directed by Joe Johnston. The film got given
this rating due to it not involving any sexual content, drugs
or involve the use of drugs in any way other than as an
anti-drug message also language isnt extreme in the movie
as its kept to a mild level. The film is about a board game
that unleashes a world of adventure and the players
around the board cant leave unless they finish the game
12s contain material not suited to viewers under the age of
12. However, 12A films are only available to viewers of 12
years and older but if theyre 12 years of age they have to
be accompanied by an adult. A difference between 12 and
12A is that 12s is put straight to a DVD. Misuse of drugs in
the films are allowed but shouldnt be frequently shown or
used. Additionally, with drugs moderate to strong profanity
is allowed but also not to be frequently used for example,
bullshit and son of a bitch. However the language is used in
special context and sometimes can be aimed at others in
the scene but only mild. Furthermore, sexual activity and
nudity are to be kept discrete. Also, threat and violence
must be kept to a moderate level with no emphasis on gore,
blood and injuries or sexual violence. An example of a 12
film is Batman Vs Superman Dawn of Justice as it contains
scenes of violence but its superhero violence, mild
language is used and theres no emphasis on sexual
scenes. The film is about Batman hating Superman but then
realises something that makes more a like then they think,
coming together teaming up against Darkseid. An example
of a 12A film is Captain America Civil War, just like Batman

Nohail Mohammed | Media Studies | Mr Teasdale

Vs Superman this film based on comics but the difference is

this is Marvel. Captain America involves scenes of violence
and moderate profanity also with no emphasis on sexual
content. The two films are very similar as theyre both
based on comic books.

15 rated films are only to be viewed by an audience of 15

years and older. Within the 15 rated guidelines
discrimination of racist and homophobic language are
acceptable at a moderate level. Drugs however are
acceptable as well but not to be misused. Strong language
is allowed like shit. Nudity is also allowed just without
strong detail, sexual activity is just like nudity and is
accepted just not in strong detail. Threat and violence
however is allowed but sexual threat and violence is
unlikely to be allowed but verbal references to them are
allowed. Lastly dangerous behaviour like hanging and
suicide are acceptable but not to be emphasised on as they
can be copied/replicated by the audience. An example of a
movie rated 15 is Step Brothers (comedy) directed by Adam
McKay, this film got this rating due to it including language
of high intensity, the nudity in the film could be seen as
strong to some viewers and additionally the film includes
comedic violence which wouldnt upset the audience but if
taken seriously it can do.
People under the age of 18 shouldnt be watching these
movies due to the amount of restrictions allowed to be
shown. Sex as a form of pleasure from the characters in the
film and also sex being misused against someone consent
is allowed however the sexual content that is without
consent eg. Rape, sex slaves should be kept to a minimum
as it can still cause discomfort. Nudity is allowed however it
shouldnt be emphasised on constantly throughout the film.
Drugs are allowed to be involved in the film but drug use in
the film isnt allowed as it will be classed as showing and
promoting drug use which is against the bbfc regulations.
Threat, violence and gore are all allowed in the film
however just like the rest of the restrictions even though
theyre allowed they shouldnt be emphasised as too much
of them can cause discomfort or enhance the wrong

Nohail Mohammed | Media Studies | Mr Teasdale

intentions to some of audience causing it to be an 18 and

over only. However even though these are all acceptable
the director of the film should be careful as to much of
certain things involved in the film can affect the outcome,
not get a high rating, get bad reviews and even end up
losing money for the company or organisation. An example
of an 18 film would be 50 Shades of Grey directed by Sam
Taylor-Johnson and based on a book by E.L.James. This film
got given the rating of 18 due the frequency of scenes
containing sexual nature and the intimacy of them scenes.
Containing scenes that shouldnt be used in a film of a
rating 12 or PG. Additionally to the scenes of sexual nature,
strong and frequent use of bad language for example,
bastard and fuck also make this film fall into the 18 rating
rather than a 15 or 12.

For my title opening sequence, I would suggest my video idea

to either be a 15 or 18 due to the threat and violence of the
film as one scene involves blood and gore to someone being
cut open, this may cause discomfort to some viewers. The
opening title scene will also include swearing like shit and
fucking however drugs will not be used or interpreted in any
way other than to avoid misuse.