"BBFC" Class Session

• In our BBFC session, we researched film classifications and then guessed the classifications of some sequences from children's films.
• As we our making a children's film opening, the main classifications that we focused on were U and PG.
• U stands for Universal and PG stands for Parental Guidance.
• In a U film should be suitable for any child (or person) aged 4 years or over. There should be no references to drugs or discrimination unless clearly disapproved of. Any scary sequences should be mild, with a reassuring outcome and there should be no dangerous behaviour which children might copy. If bad language is used, it should be infrequent and mild, occasional natural nudity is permitted, as is mild sexual behaviour (e.g. kissing) and slight references (e.g. "making love"). Any violence shown or referenced should be mild.
• Children of any age may watch a PG film, as the scenes should not disturb a child aged eight or older, but parents are advised to consider whether some scenes may upset particular children. Discriminatory behaviour is rarely acceptable unless clearly disapproved of, or shown in an educational or historical context. References can be made to illegal drug use, but must carry a suitable anti-drugs message. Horror or frightening sequences must not be prolonged (although some exceptions may be made in a fantasy setting), and there must not be any behaviour which children could copy; weapons (especially those that are easily accessible) must not be glamourised. Mild bad language only, natural nudity permitted (with no sexual content) and sexual activity may be implied (through innuendo etc.) but must be infrequent. Serious issues (e.g. domestic violence) may be featured, but must be clearly disapproved of. Moderate violence may be featured in context (e.g historical, comedic or in a fantasy setting).
• Once we had researched the different classifications, we were shown four different sequences and asked to predict the classification given to each film.
• The first one we saw was a clip from Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone. I guessed a PG rating for this film, as there was a scary sequence in the woods that I did not think would have featured in a U film. I was correct.
• The next film we saw was Up. I wasn't entirely sure what the rating for this film would be. There were a few references in it that made me lean towards a PG, but not enough references of explicit content to distinguish it from a U. In fact, Up has a rating of U.
• The next clip was from Watership Down. There were quite a few frightening scenes (including rabbits being savaged to death) so I thought that the rating must at least be a PG. I was therefore quite surprised when it was revealed that the rating was in fact a U. I think there were definitely some scenes in there which could scare small children if not under parental supervision.
• The least scene we watched was from Home Alone. I was confident that this was a PG, as there were some sexual and violent references that would definitely not appear in a U film. I was correct.
• We need to know about U and PG classifications as they are the standard classifications for a children's film. We also need to know about them so that we know what we can and cannot include in our own film openings.