Research - British Board Of Film Classification (BBFC)

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is an organisation where they are in charge, of giving certain classifications to different films. Every film has a boundary to stay within, it can be given a particular certificate for example a PG film can not have any nudity or violence. With each classification comes a certain age limit, so only those in that age limit are authorized to purchase and watch them. Doing this research will generally help me understand more specifically the point of BBFC as well as helping me to decide which classification my film comes under. This will also help me with my target audience too.

Universal – 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. The standard rules for a film to be ‘U’ are:

· No discriminatory language or behavior unless clearly disapproved of.

· No references to illegal drugs or drug misuse unless they are infrequent and innocent, or there is a clear educational purpose or anti-drug message suitable for young children.

· Scary sequences should be mild, brief and unlikely to cause undue anxiety to young children. The outcome should be reassuring.

· No potentially dangerous behavior which young children are likely to copy. No emphasis on realistic or easily available weapons.

· Infrequent use only of very mild bad language.

· Occasional natural nudity, with no sexual context.

· Mild sexual behavior (for example, kissing) and references only (for example, to ‘making love’). 

· While challenging themes may be present, their treatment must be sensitive and appropriate for young children.

· Mild violence only. Occasional mild threat or menace only.

Parental Guidance - General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children

Children of any age are allowed to watch ‘PG’ films without being accompanied by a parent or guardian. 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.

· Discriminatory language or behavior is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly disapproved of or in an educational or historical context. Discrimination by a character with which children can willingly identify is unlikely to be acceptable.

· References to illegal drugs or drug misuse must be harmless or carry a suitable anti-drug message.

· Frightening sequences should not be prolonged or intense. Fantasy settings may be a explanatory factor.

· No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy. No glamorisation of realistic or easily available weapons.

· Mild bad language only.

· Natural nudity, with no sexual context.

· Sexual activity may be implied, but should be discreet and rare. Mild sex references and innuendo only.

· Where more serious issues are featured (for example, domestic violence) nothing in their treatment should overlook unacceptable behaviour.

· Moderate violence, without detail, may be allowed, if justified by its context (for example, history, comedy or fantasy).

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.

· Discriminatory language or behaviour must not be endorsed by the work as a whole. Aggressive discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly condemned.

· Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or give instructional detail.

· Moderate physical and psychological threat may be tolerable, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent or constant.

· Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied, or appear pain or harm free. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

· Moderate language is allowed. The use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’) must be rare.

· Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet.

· Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. Frequent crude references are unlikely to be acceptable.

· Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.

· Moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated, and must have a strong contextual justification.

Suitable only for 15 years and 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.

· The work as a whole must not support discriminatory language or behaviour.

· Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.

· Strong threat and menace are permitted unless aggressive or sexualised.

· Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

· There may be frequent use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’). The strongest terms (for example, ‘cunt’) may be acceptable if necessary by the situation. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.

· Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.

· Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless necessary by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.

· No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds.

· Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong relative justification.

This is the rating that we think is suitable to our story because the story fits in with ‘15’ criteria.

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.

The BBFC’s public consultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, at ‘18’ the BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally override the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:

• where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence.

• Where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault.

• Where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in ‘R18’ works.

Research Horror Conventions - Theames

There are lots of different horror themes that have been done. After watching a few horror films I picked out a few themes that interested me, here is a list:

Film	Theme
Van Helsing, Underworld	Vampire/Lycans (Werewolves)
Hide & Seek, Number 13	Split Personalities
The Strangers, Saw, Scream	Mind Games, Torture, Trapped
Constantine	Demons/Hell
Child’s Play	Toy Voodoo
Walking of the Living Dead, Shaun of The Dead	Zombies
Jaws, Lake Placid, Anaconda, Arachnophobia, The Birds	Evil Creatures
American Psycho, Shinning, The Exorcist	Possessed, Mental Imbalances
Signs, Aliens, Mars Attack, District 9-	Out of Space Evil Aliens
100 feet, Paranormal Activity	Ghosts

This research has given me a wider range of themes to choose for my 2 minute film.

Research Horror Conventions - Music

Music in horror movies is essential, as the movie gets to the point of being creepy; the music in the background always increases the tension, thus making it livelier for the viewer.




Jaws by Steven Spielberg is a good example of music that is representative of its genre, his technique was to show the creature through music instead of showing the actual shark. This worked because; even now everyone knows the memorable menacing tune. Steven Spielberg chose to do this because he disliked how prosthetic sharks looked, so he decided to use a different method to show when the shark was present. He also attempted to use as little of the false shark as possible, without compromising the overall foreboding in the film. Another perfect example is Psycho, in which the menacing overture music played; is the point in which what we thought would be the obvious heroine, is murdered by Norman Bates. Each strike of the knife is characterised by a sharp threatening instrument, possibly a violin. Therefore our sense of fear is heightened by the knife stabbing. After analysing Jaws and Psycho in regards to the music, I took into account some of the instruments.

Here is a list:

Grand piano




Organ piano




Violins




Trombone





Trumpet




Base drums



Orchestral music

Research Horror Conventions - Sound

Sound in any film is crucial; the sound is half the success of any movie if incorporated correctly. It represents the genre as well as the tense, action or romantic based scenes. In my research of sound I looked at horror movies as well as re-watching a few of my favourites. I picked out a few aspects that I think will work best with my horror genre. Most of the time horror films like to use diegetic sound’s, the reason behind this is to make a more realistic and intense feeling. It’s a director’s way of trying to relate to the viewers, for example rustling winds, doors banging by themselves, someone screaming, dripping water etc, generally these sounds are heard by viewers on a day to day to basis.

But if these sounds were to be used in a scary movie following up to a surprise attack, the viewers will feel more thrilled and alert, therefore keeping them entertained. For example both ‘Blair Witch Project’ and ‘Paranormal Activity’ had no non-diegetic sounds, this was so it had a more authentic feel which is what viewers are interested to see. There’s no intense music in the background (non-diegetic) thus creating a sense of authenticity to what we are watching, it’s more chilling because the viewer is made to feel, that what they are witnessing are actual events. If you had disturbing but faint music in the background; the viewer would know it is leading towards a scary scene, this makes it too predictable.

By doing this research it has given me a lot to think about how to incorporate diegetic sounds in my film and also not go over the top with the non-diegetic sounds.

Research Horror Conventions - Mise en Scene

“Mise en scene” means visual theme in basic terms to tell a story visually. Mise en scene is useful to the film industry, because it allows directors to think about the setting of the movie. For example where is it going to be filmed, what era it is going to be filmed in, what props and costumes are needed, lighting, sets and how you want the actors to act? It’s all about making a perfect background to match the genre of the movies your making, so for me my genre is horror so every little detail has to be scary, for example if you are going to do a murder scene you can’t have a rainbow in the background or the audience won’t feel scared.

The whole point of the visual effects is to increase the believability of the films narrative. Mise en scene is essential to match the feel of the movie, to its genre and the audience’s expectations. That type of Mise en scene I would use for my horror movie would be dark locations, creepy music, menacing shadows and lighting that enhances feelings of dread.



A very good example of Mise en Scene is “Star Wars”, no doubt at that time and era George Lucas succeeded where many directors failed; he made a futuristic Mise en Scene follow a futuristic story, which is why I personally think his movies were so successful. Also films that do have a very successful Mise en Scene can also benefit from merchandising. Star Wars had so many Mise en Scene merchandising advantages, with toy collectibles of characters in the film, costumes the characters wore and the most famous toy still being sold is the light sabre.

Another very good example of Mise en Scene has to be “Alien” again with the absence of high-quality technology not available, Ridley Scott managed to make one of the most memorable Horrors. The Mise en Scene is very detailed and dense, the movie starts off by showing you outer space and then it takes you to the ship Nostrumo. The movement of the slow camera effect shows you all of the ship you see the inside is made up lots of computers, buttons and sounds of computers working which is what the audience may be new to seeing.





Both movies are similar in the sense that they are both set in outer space, which gives off a Sci-fi experience. The differences though in regards to the Mise en Scene are, in Star Wars the aliens are portrayed as sentient, with the choice to be good or bad. Therefore the background requires to look like a civilization. On the other hand, in Ridley Scott’s Alien, the Mise en scene is industrial, as the storyline involves workers to travel outer space to harvest minerals. Just as coal miners would have done, this is an ironic approach to showing the future, that although technology has changed, mankind’s work has not.

Reserach Horror Conventions - Chracters

Characters in films are meant to be central people in the narrative. Analysing the horror films I looked into what type of characters are used in a film:

· Main Character (s) - Hero (s) (male or female), who are seen as innocent sufferers that reverse there role and start to fight against the bad guy.

· Villain (s) (male or female) who are seen as the bad guy in the story, will end up killing someone in the beginning, sometimes the killer has a particular disguise for example a tattoo, mask, or the way he talks which could help the hero or the viewer pick out who the killer is.

· Side Characters – friends, family, or just civilians who either get killed in the beginning or during the film who know the main character. 

· Supernatural Characters - ghost, zombie, demons spirits possessing demons, spirits possessing children




· Stereotype Characters - a blonde bimbo, a bully who is probably a jock (American football player),

Research Horror Conventions - Narrative

The narrative is vital in any movie, especially in a horror movie. The difficulty of producing a horror movie today is that many storylines seem the same, some are also predictable and there is the worry of creating a cliché narrative. After watching a number of movies from this genre, my personal view is that script writers and directors are finding it increasingly hard, to make unique and original storylines. Many plots are now becoming more-so regurgitated, and there has been a recent wave of horror remakes. Which I feel is another approach for producers to continue making money from this genre.

Here is a list of things that I have picked out from analysing more horror films:

· Villain (male/female) - a ghost, serial killer, psycho killer, stalkers that are killers.

· Hero (male/female)

· Law – they are always portrayed as being corrupt or just too annoying to believe you.






· Secret – there is always a mystery that the hero occasionally unravels the reason for why the villain is bad and what connection there might be between the hero and the villain.








· Side characters (Friends/family) – sometimes they try to help but end up dying (the black guy always dies first).

· Murders – the technique of the villain’s killings get weirder and gory by every victim also they seem to get more real and unexpected.

· Camera – sometimes the camera doesn’t want to show the killer’s face to quickly the reason being to keep viewers on the edge of there seats.

some directors and writers like to repeat the same film, but this time using better filming equipment, authentic and larger locations and better special effects for example ‘The Exorcist’, ‘The Omen’ and ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’. The other approach is producers claiming the story are based on real events, for example the ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’, ‘The Strangers’ and ‘Ils’ (Them – a French movie).

This is why I want to try and stay away from making a predictable horror or a storyline that has been done. Which is why I want to put together more of an original storyline. After looking over more horror films I picked out a few aspects that I may want to use, for example:

All horror films have a villain (psycho killer, zombie, a ghost) and a hero who tries to save the day, most of the time the villain and the hero are played by males. But now some directors are switching gender roles to having more women to play heroes as well as villains, this is one of the things I want to include in my storyline.

Here are a few things I want to try include in my narrative:

· Supernatural theme

· A serial killer

· Secrets/Mystery

· A good guy who is affected by the serial killer.