MEST2: BBFC Institution research

1) 

The BBFC

• Is a non-profit organisation therefore meaning that fees are only to cover the costs that they have. Also they never receive any subsides from either the rest of the film industry or the government. 
• Was set up in 1912 (videos and DVDs since Video recordings Act since 1984)
• They were set up as an independent body to bring uniformity of film classification on a national level.
• They serve as a 'guide to media content' providing a trusted regulation of the UK labeling system. 

Mission statement has the following points(reflecting their responsibilities also); 

• The aim to protect the public from harmful media content 
• Help the public to make informed choices regarding media
• reflect changing social attitudes through consistent research.

The BBFC have the following links to the government; 

• The Video standards council 
• The Film distributors association. 
• Federation against copyright theft

2) Hows the film rated

The board reaches decisions by consensus (with the director, president and the 2 vice presidents) but use solo viewings to rate material. In cinemas they asses the cinema effect and for dvds they see the 'home view feeling.' They pay close attention the the general context, timings of moments, cinematography and things such as bad language and sex etc. If a decision cannot be made a senior team get involves. Through this process scenes may be rejected of the whole film may be. 

3) issues faced

• Whether the material is in conflict with the law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence
• cause any harm at the age rating concerned.
• Whether the availability of the material, at the age group concerned, is clearly unacceptable to broad public opinion
• The context in which an issue (such as sex, language or violence) is presented is central to the question of its acceptability.
• The overall tone of a work may also affect the final decision. 

4) Dark Knight

The potential issue was that the movie was too violent and most the audience though the rating was too low with 30% rather than the 1% with too high. This however also means that 69% of people thought it was okay. Therefore i think it was an okay rating considering the majority vote.

5) 15 Rated

The following can take place in a 15 rated film/video; (quoted from BBFC official site)

• "strong violence
• frequent strong language
• portrayal of sexual activity
• strong verbal reference to sex
• sexual nudity
• brief scenes of sexual violence/verbal reference 
• discriminatory language/behavior
• drug taking" 

Amount of strong language allowed - a great deal. 

• dependent on manner of use
• justification required
• however continued or 'aggressive' use wouldn't pass as a 15 rated 

Discriminatory or offensive terms- racist , homophobic or other. 

• however, overall the media text shouldn't be full of discriminatory language/behavior. 

Sex and Nudity- portrayed but without strong detail 

• some scenes can be fairly long
• cannot be in very strong detail 
• no constraints on nudity in non-sexual/educational contexts
• cannot be strong or crude
• irrespective of sexuality 

Violence- strong but without lingering on pain/injury

• strong gory images are not accepted
• sadistic violence isn't acceptable either

Sexual violence- verbal but portrayal mjust be discreet and justifiable 

horror- cannot focus on sadistic/sexual threat

drugs- cannot encourage usage

6)
Adulthood (drama rated 15 uncut)

The teenagers are now adults and he has been released from prision and deals with those who want revenge for the death of theirf.

 Sams attitude for a bright future and realistic protray of the urban areas allowed it a 15 despite the strong violence. There is also a good moral stance regarding the weapons use and violence doesn't dwell on the pain and suffering of individuals. Moreover darker themes aren't promoted and are still portrayed realisticly.