CHOOSING MY CERTIFICATE FOR 'TEXTUAL CHEMISTRY'

I am now going to choose which certificate I think is appropriate for my film. Most romantic comedies I have looked at are 12a or 15. I am going to go onto the 12a and 15 section on BBFC and look at all the reasons and categories and what you can and can't have for my film to qualify for a 12a or a 15 certificate. 

15

No one younger than 15 may see 15 rated content in a cinema and no one younger than 15 may rent or buy a 15 rated film

GUIDELINES

1. Dangerous behaviour 

- highly dangerous behaviour should not dwell on detail that could be copied

- whether the depiction of easily accessible weapons is acceptable will depend on factors such as realism, context and setting 

2. Discrimination 

- discriminatory language, themes and behaviour are permitted, but must not be endorsed by the content as a whole 

3. Drugs 

- drug and substance misuse may be shown but should not be promoted or encouraged by the content as a whole 

4. Language 

- there may be strong language 

- very strong language may be permitted depending on the context and frequency 

5. Nudity 

- sexualised nudity may be permitted but graphic detail should be brief and justified by context

6. Sex

- sexual activity may be portrayed but usually without graphic detail 

- there may be strong sex references but frequent crude references are unlikely to be acceptable

- content that, when taken as a whole, has the primary purpose of sexual arousal is unacceptable

7. Sexual violence 

- may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence or abusive behaviour, but graphic descriptions of specific acts are unlikely to be acceptable 

- the stronger forms of sexual violence, including rape, must not be detailed or prolonged

- an intense and sustained focus on sexual threat is unacceptable  

8. Suicide and self harm 

- scenes of suicide and self harm should not be frequent or endorsed

- glamorisation of suicide or self harm may result in a higher rating 

- graphic depictions or detailed references are unlikely to be permitted 

9. Threat and horror 

- there may be strong threat and horror

- a sustained focus on sadistic threat is unlikely to be acceptable 

10. Violence 

- violence may be strong but should not be sustained focus on the infliction of pain or victims suffering

- the strongest gory images may occur if justified by context eg.war, medical detail 

- prolonged sadistic violence is unlikely to be acceptable 

12A

A 12a means that the content is generally not suitable for children under the age of 12, however for a cinema screening, someone under the age of 12 may be permitted if they are accompanied by an adult. Adults should consider whether the main feature is suitable for that child. 

GUIDELINES

1. Dangerous behaviour 

- dangerous behaviour that children are likely to copy should not be encouraged 

- realistic or easily accessible weapons such as knifes should not be glamourised 

- antisocial behaviour should not be endorsed 

My film will not have any dangerous behaviour, violence or weapons. 

2. Discrimination 

- discriminatory language or behaviour must not be endorsed by the content as a whole 

- discrimination is unlikely to be acceptable if accompanied by violence unless it is clearly condemned 

My film will not include any discrimination. 

3. Drugs

- misuse of drugs or other substances should be generally infrequent 

- there should be no glamorisation or instructional detail 

My film will not include any drug use.

4. Language 

- there may be moderate bad language

- strong language may be permitted depending on context and frequency within the content as a whole 

My film may include moderate bad language but nothing strong. 

5. Nudity 

- there may be nudity, but in a sexual context it should be brief and discreet 

My film will not include any nudity.

6. Sex 

- sexual activity may be portrayed briefly and discreetly 

- moderate sex references are permitted 

- frequent crude references are unlikely to be acceptable 

My film will not include sex, only moderate sex references. 

7. Sexual violence 

- may be verbal references to sexual violence provided they are not graphic 

- stronger forms of sexual violence, including rape, may only be implied 

- any sexual threat or abusive behaviour should be brief and negatively presented 

My film will not include any sexual violence.

8. Suicide and self harm 

- may be references to suicide and self harm

- stronger details are unlikely to be permitted unless they are justified by context 

- portrayals of suicide and self harm should only be brief and discreet 

My film will not include any suicide or self harm.

9. Threat and horror 

- there may be scenes of moderate physical and psychological threat

- some scenes may be disturbing but the overall tone should not be

- horror sequences should not be frequent or sustained 

My film will not include any threat or horror.

10. Violence 

- there may be moderate violence but should not dwell on detail 

- occasional blood and injuries may be shown but gory images should be infrequent and justified by context 

My film will not include any major violence.

CONCLUSION

Having now looked at the restrictions for certificates 12a and 15 I have chosen to make my film a 12a. This is because my film will not include anything that violates the certificate 12a so there is no need for it to be a 15. It will also make 'Textual Chemistry' more commercially viable as it will be able to reach a wider audience.