Thriller - Progress

Well we had our original script and storyline, which we attempted to stick to, but realising that it would of cost us money which we didn't have, we decided to try and create a feature film introduction based around the original plot.

Instead of using the scenario of detectives with the murder as flashbacks, we just stuck to the murder scene itself, attempting to create a realistic and indepth feel to the scene.

Where we wanted the intro to end with the new victim waking up inside a coffin, along with the murderer carrying the witness to the car, we decided to detour away from this clip, and have it ending on the the witness is noticed by the murderer, ending the introduction dead.

Applying the changes we decided on as a team, implementing them into the film introduction turned out relatively easy to do, especially as we completed the filming 1/3 the time allocated, which leaves alot open to further questioning about how we could of improved the filming and effects of the film.

We managed to film the whole opening scene in around 2 hours 30 minutes, which was really suprising as we changed the plot, and decided on filming techniques all within that time.

Overall, we're pleased with the filming times, progression and how some of the effects turned out, plus hopefully not too 'student' looking as to the filming, editting and audio editting.

How far along are we?

So far, we've managed to film all the introduction, and start editting, which is nearly complete! We're all pleased with the filming and sequence of the editting.

We're just deciding on the opening credits of the film, along with the audio tracks, sounds and ambience noises we're planning on creating and implementing into the film, hopefully producing an above average film introduction.

We're giving it a thumbs up! :)

Thriller - Script

INT(interior) - Kitchen or Bedroom - Day

Set in the morning - inside of house.
Scene in kitchen or bedroom or on landing.

House seems empty know ones home.

Loud noises are heard - shouting - screaming.
A hand rises in the air with an object in their hand.
A man is being wrestled to the ground by another man in dark clothing and unseeing face and beating him with the object.

You see someone watching whats happening hiding in a cuboard or
crack through the door way - scared and frightened.
Whilst focused on her you still hear the noises in the background.

Suddenly all goes quiet, theres a dead body on the floor with a person standing above it, blood splatter on the wall showing how brutal the killing was.

The body is dragged across the floor heading outside.
the 2nd person comes out of hiding seeing if its clear.
person sees killer dragging body.
killer sees person drops body and stares.
person freezes momentarly then runs away.
ends with looking over the killers shoulder as he watches
person running away.

There will be no dialogue spoken only music and silence
to give a more indepth atmosphere to the film.

Thriller - Synopsis = The Whole Film

This synopsis will cover the basic storyline of the feature film, including the areas on which we'll be filming.

The opening will consist of the the opening scene, where the murder takes place, with the witness watching the kill, hidden, then escaping when the murderer leaves, getting caught and the chase begins which is the lead up to the rest of the film. Through this scene, there will be cut scenes between an interview with detectives or FBI, where the murder will be the flashbacks, where the witness is drowsy.

Turning the witness into the victim.

The story follows on from the opening scene, with the murderer chasing the witness, when the witness meets other people to escape the murderer, with which the murderer catches up and kills the other people.

This continues, across country, but seeing how all the murderers are professionally carried out, without the witness ever seeing the murderer's face, as the interview carries on throughout the film, with questions being asked, and the chase clips are the flashbacks, with the witness getting drowsier, then towards the end of the film the witness realises that the detective(FBI) who is interviewing the witness, is actually the murderer.

Having realised this, the witness passes out from drowsiness, the detective(FBI)/murderer carries the witness to the car, with the witness waking up inside a coffin.

This is how the film ends.

Research - Audience Research

I decided to create a questionaire, which was passed around 10 members of my classroom, to gain feedback of different aspects of Thriller films.

The questionnaire which was create, had questions relating to the Thriller genre, and the type of audiences I questioned, gave varied information.

Some of the questions asked included:

Gender

Age

Do you enjoy Thriller films?

What is it you enjoy/don't enjoy about Thrillers?

What is the best Thriller film you've watched?

The latest Thriller film you've watched?

What do you feel that the best age range that Thriller films should target for?

I provided the questionnaire for 10 people, resulting in the following feedback(In Order).

There were 4 Males and 6 Females participating.

These were aged between 16 and 25.

3 Sometimes enjoy Thrillers.

7 Enjoy Thillers

Out of the people I asked, the vast majority enjoyed the suspense of the Thriller without all the blood and guts of a Horror film, with stories that are unpredictable.

People don't like predictable storylines or if it's too confusing to keep track of.

Some of the higher rated Thriller films the questioned audience provided included:

Taxi Driver, The Eye, The Usual Suspects, Donnie Darko, 1408, Identity.

And the latest Thriller films people have watched include:

One hour Photo, Shutter Island, Black Swan, Sin City, Inception.

And finally the age range the majority of people thought about the target audience for Thrillers:

15 and Upwards.

Resulting In:

Using these results, within the group of myself, Nick and Simon, we'll be able to decide what extra effects and features to add into our introduction of our film, which will cover the aspects of what our target audience will expect and feel rellivant to a Thriller film.

Aiming for a target audience of 15 and upwards, whilst providing enough drama and suspense to keep the viewers entertained and drawn into the feature, without displaying too much horror effects or blood curdling drama.

Planning - Location Report

This report will discuss the location of filming the 2-3 minute introduction of our feature film.

The placement on which we're hoping to film the various clips include:

• Kitchen

Hopefully this will be filmed at my own home, with permission from my parents, 

being able to create a realistic location for the plot of the story.

• Estate/Street

This will just be around the local area, and within the same street, just filming

the location, for scenes which include running away, or "The Chase" scene, and maybe 

other clips which we'd used in-film.

Planning - Summary of the opening Storyline

Summary.
The opening of the story myself, Simon and Nick are hoping to achieve will conquer all the elements explained below, but features all the detail and effects required to create a detailed opening.

Basic Opening Plot:
It will start off in an interview with a detective and and a witness, having a summary of what happened, with the focus of flashbacks of what the witness seen. The flashbacks will be in black and white, allowing more of a realistic feel to the scene. After the first scene, of the murder happening, and showing the witness, escaping, this will start off the actually story, which is where we'll end the opening.

In the Kitchen:
It would be the victim getting attacked by the murderer, getting hit and killed, whilst there is a witness hidden inside a cupboard or under a table, there will be blood splatter, around the kitchen, the weapon dropping to the floor, and the murderer leaving the room. Whilst this moment happens, the witness will leave the hiding location, and check the body for a pulse, then leaving through the window, knocking something over, either a glass or cup, which causes the murderer to run after the witness, turning the witness into the victim, adding a spin to the story right from the start.
Fading out to turn into the credits, showing the '20th Century Films Presents...' etc, and the film studio. It will also have the section where it displays the starring cast.

How it fits into the genre:
Our opening will fit into the genre of Thriller, because it doesn't just tackle one area of genre, but overall hitting multiple areas with enthusiasm and suspense of a standard thriller movie.
It'll contain drama, a strong storyline, a crime which has been commited, and a plot which continues throughout the remainder of the film, with various lighting, flashbacks, objects and tools, also using correct props and costumes to fulfill the look of the part being played. Ontop of these effects and props, we'll add certain and distinct music of ambiance sounds to the scenes, to create an opening full of suspence and drama, placing the audience in the point-of-view of the witness.
Although the sound of the storyline does borderline Thriller/Horror, im certain we'll be able to contain it within the Thriller genre, whilst still providing a packed thriller of suspense, action, and drama.

Planning - Certificate of our Film

After a varied amount of discussion between the group, and focused on the material within the whole film production, we have came to the conclusion that it will be Certificate 15.


We have decided this because the amount of voilence within the film, it may not be viewed much, but displays scenes of a graphic and voilent nature, which pushes the age barrier from PG to 15, along with the language used, would not be suitable for younger people, especially children.

Planning - Film Appeal

This section is to explain what target audience our film is aimed at, including the age and gender. Further, there shall be a small demonstration about why it will be the age required.

Age:
The age which our film is set at is 15 to 25, as it will be too 'scary' for anyone under the age of 15, having it 15-25 will be a suitable and appropriate age for the viewing audience.


Gender:
Having our target for either only men or women is purposely sexist and is not what we're aiming to do. We're hoping that this film will appeal to both sexes between the age range, so we feel it would be well suited.

Demonstration:
The plot will only show various clips of murders, as the whole film is not based on the murderous side of it, but more focused on the race for survival. So the murders shall be shot out of camera, maybe with a shadow or outline of what's happening, surrounded by sounds, of screams, fighting, with blood splatter and other things surrounding the concept of murder.

Planning - Costume and Props List

This will cover the costumes and props needed for the 2-3 minute intro for Media Studies.

Costumes:

• Murderer: Dark clothes, to make it harder to tell who is playing the part of the murderer, also this will portray him as the bad guy.
• Victim: Normal Clothes which aren't too dark, this will portray a brighter side to the victim, with not much evil.
• Witness: Dressed the same as 'Victim', in standard clothing, but not too dark.

Props:

• Kitchen: For the murder scene.
• Lighting: To create a dark area in the 'Kitchen' for dramatic effect.
• Murder Tool: An object which resembles a weapon.
• Fake Blood: This may not be seen much, but it will be good for effect.
• Car: This may or may not be used for the ending clip.

 For the above costumes and props, we shall gain from each other, and around our households. We have most, or even all hte props and costumes needed for the parts. So the cost of the filming will be cheap, and may only cost a small amount for petrol money.

Planning - Cast List

This is the cast list for the film introduction for Media Studies AS.
Due to the availability of the cast members, the filming will be quite limited for the time period.

The parts which will need to be covered include:

• Murderer
• Victim
• Witness

Simon -Witness
Nick - Victim
Rich -Murderer

Camera man will alternate throughout the scenes to cover all recordable evidence. It will be played by all members, covering all the required footage.

Planning - Equipment

This will cover what equipment we will need to cover the 2-3 minute film opening by myself, Simon and Nick.
Hardware:

• Video Camera - Sony HC51

This Sony DCRHC51E miniDV camcorder has a 40x optical zoom through a Carl Zeiss lens and a 80x digital zoom with a 2.5" LCD screen. This camcorder features an image stabiliser to reduce vibration or shake, and a night mode that lets you carry on recording in low light conditions. The Sony DCRHC51E has a mini DV recording format with a built in microphone and can be used as a digital camera. This Sony MD205 camcorder comes complete with a lithium ion rechargeable battery pack, HC51 Handycam station, AC adaptor and A/V connecting cable.

• Tripod - Ex-Pro TR-654

The workhorses of professional and amateur photographers around the world. The Ex-Pro Digipod TR-654 offers excellent value v's price in comparison to others brands in the market, with exceptionally smooth movement of the center column. The professional pan head lets you mount and remove the camera just by pushing the quick releasing lever. Finally, the range features an advanced quick-shoe mount. In response to the ever changing broadcast video market, Ex-Pro has turned the demands of industry into solutions with this latest product at an exception price.

• House - Kitchen (with hidden place)

• Weapon - Unknown

• Apple iMac

Powerful Intel Core 2 Duo processors, and more memory standard. Combine this with Mac OS X Leopard and iLife ’09, and it’s more all-in-one than ever. iMac packs amazing performance into a stunningly slim space.

Software:

• Final Cut Express

Work with DV, HDV, or AVCHD footage — or all three — in a single Timeline, sculpting your video quickly and precisely using pro-level editing and trimming tools. Final Cut Express 4 supports a virtually unlimited number of video tracks, lets you add amazing real-time special effects and transitions, and provides powerful color correction and matting tools.

• Firefox

The Firefox browser is created by Mozilla, a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote openness, innovation and opportunity on the Web. 

Planning - Target Audience for Thrillers

My personal opinion of the target audience for watching a Thriller film, is anyone who wants to watch a film which borderlines horror, Thrillers tend to be not as jumpy, or gorey as a horror film, but still holds all the suspense and drama, and even more of an intelligent side towards the storyline of the film.

Even though I've said about anyone being able to watch the film, aslong as they have an interest within the storyline, but I've got to say about the ages restriction, as if the film has been seen by an adult, then I feel it should be their opinion whether or not it is watched by a younger audience member. Along with keeping to the age restrictions of the film.

Research - Thriller - Assassins Creed Lineage

Assassin's Creed - Lineage

Director: Yves Simoneau.

Writer: William Reymond and Yves Simoneau.

Studio:Ubisoft.

Cast: Romano Orzari, Manuel Tadros and Jesse Rath.

Release: 14th November 2009.

URL: YouTube - Assassin's Creed

Mise-en-scene
Is within a french country, Firenze, medievil times(1476), assassins and kings. Very cloak and dagger, dark and mysterious. Props such as the clothing of the cape, boots, leather vambraces, etc. Weapons with the concealed daggers and sword. It gives the basic concept of what an assassin would look like, and the type of people he'd work for.
Camera Angle
They are close up's of the equipment of his preperation. With over the shoulder shots, to show his target, or if he's listening in onto a conversation. Mid shots to show his appearence.
Lighting
The lighting in the film is quite dark, even in the light places, with alot of shadows. Most of it looks computer animated, such as the background, which allows the film to have that dark and evil feel to the story. The light is dark, but when he looks through the door at his family, half of his face is lit, with the dark background, maybe referring to the dark deeds he's going to undergo.
Music
It's eerie, but a quite content to the film, keeping it old fashioned, keeping well to the theme of the movie.

Research - Questions

Thriller Film Coursework.

1. What is the purpose of the opening to a film?

The purpose of having an opening to a film, is to lure in the audience to the remainder of the film. Having a good and promising opening will persuade potential viewers into watching the remainder of the film. Keeping the viewer in suspense, unleft answers, good acting, and famous actors and actresses will keep viewers in suspense and attracted to the rest of the film.

2. What techniques can a director use to create suspense in a film?

A director can use various techniques to keep the audience in suspense, such as quite music, or no music, but keeping in time with the clip, sudden actions with sound effects, having a dark surrounding, locations well known but which may not have potential danger regularly. Having swift camera motions which keep the actors in focus and view, but maybe taking a glimpse at an object, or weapon, which causes people to be alarmed to.

3. How do you think a thriller film is defined?

In my opinion, a thriller film is defined by having an intelligent side, even if only a slight bit, but it has to have something that keeps the audience in suspense, also having many dark areas, allowing for potential jumps and jolts. Furthermore, having a range of music, nothing really up-beat, but more dramatic and slow, from an orchestra or such.

4. What films can you think of that would fit into the thriller genre?

A fair few films made today, have some aspect of thriller in it, such as: Law Abiding Citizen, Spider 3, Salt, Cloverfield, Black Hawk Down, Inception, Shutter Island, The Crazies, Alien, We Were Soldiers, The Usual Suspects, Identity, One Hour Photo, Black Swan, Psycho.

5. The thriller film can be divided into sub-genres, what different types of thriller films do you think exist?

All these consist along side the overall thriller genre, but other sub-genres include: Romance, Comedy, Crime, Action, Horror, Sci-Fi, Adventure, Disaster, Historical, Medical, Religious, Serial Killer, Techno, Conspiracy, Erotic, Legal, Psychological, Spy, Political, Supernatural.

6. What are the characteristics or conventions of a thriller film? (Consider narrative, characters, mise-en-scene, stars?)

Personally, I enjoy thrillers mainly because of the stars, or the conept which the film revolves around, such as in Inception, it has Leonardo DiCaprio starring, whose past films have been huge box office hits, so that drawn me into watching his later films. Then also the level os surrealism in the trailers for the film, it made me want to watch it, with the lighting effects dimmed for unusual cercumstances, and the sound which had been loud for huge effects, kept me in suspence and wanting to know what's happening next.

7. What do you think is the audience pleasure of a thriller film?

The audience pleasure of a thriller film, includes quite a few aspects of what a thriller consists of, such as the suspense, which makes the audience gripped onto the feature, keep thinking what's going to happen next or what's going to jump out. Also the storyline, as it tends to be more in depth and intellectual, which makes the audience think a little more than a alternative film. Furthermore, having, for example, a crime thriller, the viewer would expect some aspect of a crime or criminal concept towards the movie.
Thrillers tend to cover a vast variety of genre, which makes thrillers hit alot more targets for reaching audience demand.

8. What do you think are the differences between a horror and a thriller film?

The difference between and horror and thriller, in my opinion, differ between the fictional or fantasy based concept of the storyline. So thriller is reality based, and horror is fantasy or supernatural based. Normally when a film has a glimpse of supernaturalism, it is turned into a horror, such as 'Nightmare of Elm Street', where as it may be classed as Horror/Thriller if it's reality based such as 'Hostel' or 'Wolfcreek'.
Most thriller films tend to have a storyline where someone is running away, such as within 'The Bourne Identity.'
But in today's concept of the two, it tends to be abstract, taking concepts from both genres and merging them into the genre of Horror/Thriller.

9. Using the Internet, research the 'top 50 thriller films'. Look at the top twenty - which ones have you watched? If it is not many, why do you think this is the case?

Information from: IMDB

Position:	Title	Watched / Not Watched
1	Pulp Fiction(1994)	Watched
2	Inception(2010)	Watched
3	The Dark Knight(2008)	Watched
4	Goodfellas(1990)	Not Watched
5	Fight Club(1999)	Watched
6	Rear Window(1954)	Not Watched
7	Psycho(1960)	Watched
8	The Usual Suspects(1995)	Watched
9	The Silence of the Lambs(1991)	Not Watched
10	Se7en(1995)	Watched
11	Memento(2000)	Not Watched
12	Leon(1994)	Watched
13	North by Northwest(1959)	Not Watched
14	Double Indemnity(1944)	Not Watched
15	M(1931)	Not Watched
16	Taxi Driver(1976)	Watched
17	Vertigo(1958)	Watched
18	Terminator2: Judgement Day(1991)	Watched
19	Alien(1979)	Watched
20	The Lives of Others(2006)	Not Watched

I have watched the majority of the top 20 thriller films, I feel that this is the case because of the range of films which tend to come out at the cinema. I enjoy thriller films more than most other genres, except comedy films, due to the indepth knowledge that most newaday thriller films tend to go into.

Some of the movies that I haven't seen in the list above is mostly because that I haven't heard of them, or not had the time to see them. I have watched most of the more up-to-date thriller films as friends of mine tend to visit the cinema alot to watch these films.

Research - Poster Analysis of Thriller

The Crazies (2010)

This film poster is an image of a deserted town, with a lonely young girl standing in the middle of the street, wearing a gas mask. The colouring used within the poster abstracts between various shades of blue, from very light to very dark, going left to right as the sky. With light at the end of the street, maybe portaying that there's a chance of survival, or a slim chance of survival. Furthermore, with the dark sky, it looks like it's descending onto the town, as does a infection, relating to the story.
The tag line to the poster is "Insanity is Infectious", which makes it sounds abit of a great catch line for the film, as it's about a contageous infection, spreading throughout the town, but from the poster it kind of let's the viewer into a little insight about the film, but not showing too much.

The poster leaves alot to imagination if the trailer is unwatched, with all the dark colours, a euphemism, towards the local towns folk within a small town near Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Ontop all the signs portayed within the film poster, there is another eye-opener with the release date, with is written "Catch it in cinemas Feb 26", bringing a whole level of excitement towards the release of the film, ontop of all the other features provided on the poster.



Shutter Island (2010)

The film poster to 'Shutter Island' is a very dark poster, displaying Leonardo DiCaprio's face, with his hand holding a match, displaying the small amount of light allocated within the poster.
The text upon the poster is all in white, except a few words put in red, which are 'Shutter Island' and 'October.'
Having Leonardo DiCaprio's face on the poster, will attract alot of people to view the film, from being fans of his past work.

The tagline for the poster is 'Someone is Missing', which can relate to many problems, but also sends a message of confusion towards the viewer. In this case, it's a mental problem which persists throughout the film, which made it one the best films of 2010 in my opinion.

Suprisingly there are a couple of anagrams which enforce the story of 'Shutter Island' such as, 'Truths Denials' and 'Truths and Lies', which is either coincidence or displays meaning behind the title of 'Shutter Island.'

Black Swan (2011)

For the newly released film, 'Black Swan's film poster is a stand-alone Natalie Portman on a white background, which could portray the spotlight on a stage, being blinding, or maybe it could show the audience that she is alone for the problem she faces within the film.
The makeup used is very powerful, showing a white face, with red eyes, maybe showing an evil or distrubing side to the elegant side of the ballat. Also, around the eyes, there are two designs of black wings which stand out after the eyes and lips.
It displays the nominations because it will attract viewers to see the film, as they'll believe it is a better than average film due to this.
Furthermore, having a well-known female actress on the poster, will attract many fans of Natalie Portman to view the film.
This also seems like a mature version of Swan Lake, which may also attract viewers to the film, but with having a twist to the origional plot.

With the success of the original move poster for 'Black Swan', they released another movie poster to draw in the audience, showing another, deeper, darker side, to the film.

Research - Analysis of Three Film Openings

Inception

URL: YouTube - Inception

Director: Christopher Nolan.

Writer: Christopher Nolan.

Studio: Warner Bros Pictures.

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Marion Cotillard, Cillian Murphy.

Release: July 16, 2010.

Mise-en-scene
A gun which shows that the film contains voilence. Along with suites for the actors, displaying smartness, relating to intelligence, and success. Throughout the 5 minute intro, the circumstances change to create an illusion and depth of feel the film. Drawing the audience in, with suspense and uniqueness.
Camera Angle
The camera angles used vary from looking up or down at the actor, showing dominence. Furthermore, when the actors are within the building the camera is a mid shot, to close up's and then long shots, also having establishing shots.
Lighting
The lighting is bright outside, then swiftly moving into a moderately lit room creating an atmosphere.
Music
The music in the opening 5minutes, is slow but heavy, it gives the a dramatic effect to the audience, giving the impression that something is going to happen, but keeping the audience in suspense.

Law Abiding Citizen

URL: YouTube - Law Abiding Citizen

Director: F. Gary Gray.

Writer: Kurt Wimmer.

Studio: The Film Company.

Cast: Gerard Butler, Jamie Foxx, Leslie Bibb.


Release: November 27, 2009.


Mise-en-scene
The location is inside the family home, and soon unwanted men barge into the home to cause dismay. Stealing items from their home, throwing around the wife.
Camera Angle
There are a couple of over-the-shoulder shots, along with mid shots, and close up's of the bracelet. Over the shoulder shot when the door opens and Gerard Butler get's hit with a baseball bat.
Lighting
Dim lighting, just lit from lamps. When the door opens, outside is dark, and inside the home is lit up.
Music
Slow start to the music, but then low sounding music, for dramatic effect. Loud knock at the door, keeping the audience in suspense.

The Dark Knight

URL: YouTube - the Dark Knight
IMDB

Director: Christopher Nolan.

Writer: Jonathan Nolan, Christopher Nolan, David S. Goyer.

Studio: Warner Bros.

Cast: Christian Bale, Aaron Eckhart, Heath Ledger, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Maggie Gyllenhaal.


Release: July 18, 2008.


Mise-en-scene




Camera Angle




Lighting




Music

Research - Film Certificate's

Certificate U.

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.

If a work is particularly suitable for a pre-school child to view alone, this will be indicated in the Consumer Advice.

Discrimination

No discriminatory language or behaviour unless clearly disapproved of.

Drugs

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

Horror

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

Imitable behaviour

No potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy. No emphasis on realistic or easily accessible weapons.

Language

Infrequent use only of very mild bad language.

Nudity

Occasional natural nudity, with no sexual context.

Sex

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

Theme

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

Violence

Mild violence only. Occasional mild threat or menace only.

Certificate PG.

Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. 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.

Discrimination

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

Drugs

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

Horror

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

Imitable behaviour

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

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.

Theme

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

Violence

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


Certificate 12A and 12.

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. In such circumstances, responsibility for allowing a child under 12 to view lies with the accompanying adult.

The ‘12’ category exists only for video works. No one younger than 12 may rent or buy a ‘12’ rated video work.

Discrimination

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.

Drugs

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

Horror

Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained.

Imitable behaviour

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.

Language

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

Nudity

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

Sex

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.

Theme

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

Violence

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.

Certificate 15.

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.

Discrimination

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

Drugs

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.

Horror

Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.

Imitable behaviour

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.

Language

There may be frequent use of strong language (for example, ‘f**k’). The strongest  terms (for example, ‘c**t’) may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated 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 without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely  to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.

Theme

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

Violence

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 contextual justification.

Certificate 18.

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.

In line with the consistent findings of 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, and in ‘sex works’ (see below) would normally be confined to that category.

In the case of video works (including video games), which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent than for cinema films.

Sex education at ‘18’

Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safer sex and health, explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted.

Sex works at ‘18’

Sex works are works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation. Sex works containing only material which may be simulated are generally passed ‘18’. Sex works containing clear images of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit animated images, or other very strong sexual images will be confined to the ‘R18’ category. Material which is unacceptable in a sex work at ‘R18’ is also unacceptable in a sex work at ‘18’.