BBFC

 BBFC

The British Board of Film Classification is an independent, non-governmental body which has classified cinema films since it was set up in 1912 and videos/ DVDs since the Video Recordings Act was passed in 1984.

Cinema

The British Board of Film Censors was set up in 1912 by the film industry as an independent body to bring a degree of uniformity to the classification of film nationally.

Statutory powers on film remain with the local councils, which may overrule any of the BBFC’s decisions, passing films we reject, banning films we have passed, and even waiving cuts, instituting new ones, or altering categories for films exhibited under their own licensing jurisdiction.

Video

In 1984 Parliament passed the Video Recordings Act. This act stated that, subject to certain exemptions, video recordings offered for sale or hire commercially in the UK must be classified by an authority designated by the Secretary of State. The President and Vice Presidents of the BBFC were so designated, and charged with applying the new test of ‘suitability for viewing in the home’. At this point the Board’s title was changed to the British Board of Film Classification to reflect the fact that classification plays a far larger part in the BBFC’s work than censorship.

Finances

The BBFC is a not for profit organisation, and its fees are adjusted only as required to cover its costs. In order to preserve its independence, the BBFC has never received subsidies from either the film industry or the government. Its income is derived solely from the fees it charges for its services, calculated by measuring the running time of films or DVDs submitted for classification. The tariff must be approved by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Film Certificate Research

 UK FILM CERTIFICATES

Suitable for all

It is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child. But a ‘U’ film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. ‘U’ films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror.

If a work is particularly suitable for a pre-school child to view alone, this will be indicated in the Consumer Advice.

Parental Guidance

General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children.

Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. A ‘PG’ film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.

Suitable for 12 years and over

Exactly the same criteria are used to classify works at ‘12A’ and ‘12’. These categories are awarded where the material is suitable, in general, only for those aged 12 and over. Works classified at these categories may upset children under 12 or contain material which many parents will find unsuitable for them.

The ‘12A’ category exists only for cinema films. No one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult, and films classified ‘12A’ are not recommended for a child below 12. An adult may take a younger child if, in their judgement, the film is suitable for that particular child. In such circumstances, responsibility for allowing a child under 12 to view lies with the accompanying adult.

The ‘12’ category exists only for video works. No one younger than 12 may rent or buy a ‘12’ rated video work.

Suitable only for 15 years or over

No-one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video work.

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 work.

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’ videos may not be supplied by mail order.

NARRATIVE

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Distribution

Film distribution

The Code + Conventions Of A Teen Horror

Nightmare On Elm Street

TITLING

The opening 2 minutes of the movie the titles are written in white text over a black background this helps the titles stand out, this also makes the audience notice the text and movie amongst the black background. When the scene finishes, the title to the movie appears as the movie comes into full screen. The title is presented at the centre of the screen which allows the audience to concentrate on the title. The  title, “A NIGHTMARE” is written in a red bold font, and is displayed in a unusual, scary font which relates to the genre of the movie, in other words horror. The other part of the title, “ON ELM STREET” is written over the bold titles. The writing is written in a skinny, white pale font which also allows the writing to stand out and be noticed by the viewer. The titles of the main characters/actors/cast are then presented over the rest of the opening sequence to the movie. The title are displayed in white text so that they are able to stand out but are written at the sides of the shot so that the audience can also still focus on the opening to the movie, yet there written backwards which makes the text standout at the same time.

CAMERA MOVEMENT

We see many close up shots of the girls hands creating something, however we only get to see her over a minute in to the scene, the first time in which we get to see the girls face is when the camera zooms in from a behind shot of the lonely girl. They do this shot of the girl in order to add tension and gives the viewer the feel that something may be creeping up from behind her which creates alot of paranoia. Tracking shots are also used in the opening of the shot to also give the audience the feel that something may be following or looking at her. Alot of panning shots are also used from different angles which gives the viewer that the young victim is being watched by something.

FRAMING OF SHOTS

The 2 minute opening of the movie has a number of close up shots which are used so that the character is kept a mystery for the first minute and so that the background are also kept hidden from the audience. An extreme long shot is used which allows the audience to see the surroundings of the girl. Some mid shots are also taken of the girl when the tracking shots are also used. This makes the audience the feel that the character who could be watching her could pounce at any minute.

MISE EN SCENE

Mis en scene is used throughout the scene to show the genre of this movie. The victim is a typical victim in a horror movie slim, young, blonde and female. The girl also is dressed in a white dress which buttons up to the neck line of the character. This represents the purity and the innocence of the girl victim. We don't get to see much in the 2 minutes only of the character crating something with glue and newspaper, which represents childhood and innocence as well.