British board of film classification

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/what-classification/15

Official age certificate rating sign 

These can be found on the covers of DVDs, on billboard advertisement of the film for cinemas and often in the opening credits within the idents. 

BBFC is a term that refers to British board of film classification, evolving in order to create a set or guidelines and rules for which anything that is broadcasted in terms of films must include. Therefore, allowing the audience to know what is appropriate for their age. This restricts anyone under that limit from proceeding to watch the contents of that specific film. When research into the idea of having an age limit we found that a 15 rating would be most suitable for the idea in which we want to portray. However, when looking directly at the age 15 band, a structured format has been designed elements that would make a film a 15 rating, this includes: 

From this we decided that the use of a 15 would be most suitable in what we feel we want to portray. This is due various reasons which include the recurring reference to mental health which younger viewers may find upsetting, scenes of skin being on show and possible glimpses of nudity, as well as the use of prescribed drugs. The use of each of these subject are minor but the idea of surrounding the opening with mental health ideas that maybe too complex for younger viewers to grasp and understand the complexity of the mental health. 

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/what-classification/12a-and-12

https://vimeo.com/101286399

A 12 or 12a rating is material that isn’t suitable for anyone under the age of 12, and must not see the film in cinemas. However, a 12a means that they can see the film only if they are accompanied by an adult. A 12 rating states that strong language e.g. f*** could possibly be passed as a 12 rating depending on its frequency of use and in what context that this word is used. Sex may also be used but briefly and discreetly portrayed, but in a 12a nudity maybe used but also very briefly which is also the same of sexuality. Finally, dangerous behaviour can be used including hanging and suicide could be passed but specific details that could be copied by children should not be shown. Anti-social behaviour must not be shown and infrequent use of drugs could also be present but not glamourized and be a step-by-step guide. 

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/what-classification/18

An 18 rating is for those who are 18 or over depending of a variety if elements in the film which include no limit on the number of swear words included in the film. The use of foul language can aggressive, frequent and accompanied with strong violence. They may be the uses of homophobic language, racism. The film could also have strong and detailed images of sex, including full nudity, as well as very crude and explicit sex references but also containing real scenes of sex. The use of drugs can be used but shouldn’t promote the misuse of drugs.  

What makes it 15 rather a 12 or 18

The reasoning for which we chose to precede our opening scene to be a 15 rating was primarily 3 factors which include the use of prescribed drugs, the recurring reference to portraying mental health throughout which younger viewers may not understand the portrayal of mental health. They may find it upsetting as the main character is only a few years older than them so they may become concerned that this will happen to them. As well as , scenes of skin on show first the start of the opening until the end, they are not crude scenes of her, but glimpses of skin that may  affect the way that teens see themselves and feel about their body image. These are part of the reason why it isn’t a 12 or 18 but mainly not an 18 due to the lack of foul language as there is none. There are some references to drugs; prescribed drugs that the audience can’t predict will be seen as a recreational drug or to help her through the tough mental health, it’s how she uses the drug can’t be predicted, will she them to end her life or not. A 12 maybe too young due to elements that hint fear and terror in the character such as the red bubble bath and the characters wearing masks may scare younger viewers. Overall, the scene has parts and elements that wouldn’t be suitable for younger viewers and there isn’t enough violence and foul language to be 18 and over, more gore and horror would be needed to fit the 18 and over category.