Film Certificates

I have also started thinking about target audiences and age certficates that I would give my film. Doing something like a thriller/horror film normally contains younger actors as the target audience is normally people in their late teens early twenties, this is because if the film had older actors the target audience would not be able to relate to actors on screen. I looked at the criteria for certain film ratings and this is what I found;

To get a 15 Certificate the film can contain these things;
Theme
No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate to 15 year olds.

Language
There may be frequent use of strong language (eg 'fuck'). But the strongest terms (eg 'cunt') will be acceptable only where justified by the context. Continued aggressive use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.

Nudity
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.

Sex
Sexual activity may be portrayed but without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour.

Violence
Violence may be strong but may not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. Scenes of sexual violence must be discreet and brief.

Imitable techniques
Dangerous techniques (eg combat, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on imitable detail. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

Horror
Strong threat and menace are permitted. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.

Drugs
Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse.

These are the requirements for an 18 Certificate;

Sex Education at ‘18’

Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safe sex and health, exceptions to the normal constraints on explicit images may be made in the public interest. Such explicit detail must be kept to the minimum necessary to illustrate the educational or instructional points being made.

Sex Works at ‘18’

Sex works are works, normally on video or DVD, whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation. Sex works containing material which may be simulated are generally passed ‘18’, while sex works containing clear images of real sex are confined to the ‘R18’ category.

The bbfc do not interfere with adult viewing, they believe that adults posses the right to choose their own entertainment, they will only interfere if the film could be harmful to society e.g. promoting drug taking, violent attacks or sexual assult.

To get a PG Certficate the film can contain these things;

Theme
Where more serious issues are featured (eg domestic violence, racist abuse) nothing in their treatment should condone the behaviour.

Language

Mild bad language only.

Nudity
Natural nudity, with no sexual context.

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

Violence
Moderate violence, without detail, may be allowed, if justified by its setting (eg historic, comedy or fantasy).

Imitable techniques
No glamorisation of realistic or easily accessible weapons. No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy.

Horror
Frightening sequences should not be prolonged or intense. Fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor.

Drugs
Any references to illegal drugs or drug misuse must be innocuous or carry a suitable anti-drug message.

I have looked at these clasifications as i will need to classify my film