Assesssment 3 - BBFC target audience research

Assessment 3 - Target Audience Research

Target Audience Research (15 and 18 rated films)
The BBFC have 9 different categories which display the extent of content that can be shown in different rated films. These 9 categories are discrimination, drugs, horror, imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex, theme and violence. The extent to which content can be conveyed depends on the target audience of the film, for example scenes featuring blood and murder would not be suitable for a young child audience. The BBFC issue these rules to ensure that all films contain content suitable for their target audience.

A 15-rated film is a film that has content suitable for people aged 15 years or over, and no one can see a film in a cinema or rent/buy the film if they are under this age. Producers have a less limited set of criteria to adhere to, as these films are aimed predominantly at a mid-teen presumably mature audience. The target audience for 15-rated is obviously restricted to people 15 years or older, which totally eliminates the younger audience. For a more specific audience, this is based mostly on the genre of the film with some such as horror or comedy being more popular but these films would still contain content suitable for viewers aged 15 or over. The criteria that producers have to consider and adhere to when producing the film are:

Discrimination - Must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour

Drugs - Drug taking may be shown but the film on a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances such as aerosols or solvents is likely to be unacceptable

Horror - Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised

Imitable behaviour - Dangerous behaviour such as hanging, suicide or self harming should not dwell on detail that could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised

Language - Frequent use of strong language is permitted and more stronger terms may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is likely to be unacceptable

Nudity - May be allowed in sexual content but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational matter

Sex - May be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are likely to be unacceptable unless justified by the context.

Theme - 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. Strong or sadistic sexualised violence is unlikely to be acceptable.

Examples of 15-rated horror films would be - The Omen, The Exorcism of Emily Rose, The Fog, The Ring, Boogeyman and The Blair Witch Project

18-Rated Films

An 18-rated film is a film that has content suitable for people aged 18 years or over, and no one can see a film in a cinema or rent/buy the film if they are under this age. An 18-rated film is aimed solely at adults. This is because the BBFC’s guideline concerns will not override that adults have the right to choose their own entertainment. An 18-rated film can feature practically any content, but a producer has to consider the certain conventions they are not permitted to display in a film. These exceptions are:

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 risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society. For example, any detailed portrayal of violence 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

Examples of 18-rated horror films would be - The Omen (1976), Wolf Creek, The Shining, Silence Of The Lambs, Candyman and 28 Days Later