CERTIFICATE RESEACRH

U (universal):

A universal film should be suitable for all audiences aged four years and over however it is difficult to predict what can and can’t upset any child in particular. A U film should be set with a positive image and should offer reassuring outcomes to any violence or horror. The content of a Universal film includes no reference to illegal drugs/ drugs misuse however if it does it should have a clear educational purpose or anti-drug message for young children. Discriminatory language or behaviour is very likely to be acceptable, language used must only be infrequent or very mild bad language. Also there should be no potentially dangerous or antisocial behaviour as it can influence young children and they could copy it, there is a big emphasis on not including realistic or easily accessible weapons. Occasional nudity is okay as long as there is no sexual context and only very mild sexual behaviour should be used eg. Kissing. Threats and violence should both be mild and only accepted if it’s unrealistic or justified by context eg. Comedic/animated. Even though a U film is predominantly aimed at younger children it can also be viewed and enjoyed by parental figures of younger children or watched as a family film. A  U certificate can also enhance the success of a film because it can be watched by anyone and is widely available compared to a 15 for example because that certificate is aimed at anyone over the age of 15.

An example of a film rated U is Toy story 3, which was released on the 23rd July, it includes a storyline of animated characters Buzz, Woody and the rest of their toy-box friends being dumped in a day-care centre after their owner, Andy, departs for college. This film was equally split 50% females and 50% males viewed this, highlighting how it is open to anyone to watch it and is enjoyed worldwide by both genders. Surprisingly the largest number of people who viewed this film was aged between 25 years old to 34 years old, with a total of 25%, however all the percentages for the other ages were similar including aged 7 to 11 being 20% and ages 15 to 24 being 18%.

PG:

A PG film is general viewing but isn’t suited to younger children as they could find some scene unsettling, however it wouldn’t unsettle a child aged 8 or older. Unaccompanied children of any age may watch this film but parents are advised to consider whether the

content may upset or be sensitive for their child/children. A PG film should contain the following content, discriminatory language or behaviour should only be used if it is an educational or historical format, if there is any reference to illegal drugs or drugs misuse it must be to carry a suitable anti-drug message. Nudity is allowed but without sexual context also sexual activity may be used but should be discreet and infrequent (mild sex references). There should be little mild bad language and any constant repetition of bad language may lead to the film being put up into a higher category. Frightening sequences or situations where characters are in danger should not be prolonged or intense and violence should be mild. Even though a PG film is aimed for a younger generation eg. Age 8 to 12 it can be viewed by anyone under the age of 8 if they have an appropriate adult with them and it can also be viewed and watched by families and parental figures. A PG certificate can also enhance the success of a film because it can be watched by anyone compared to an 18 which is aimed and restricts only people aged 18 and over to view it.

An example of a film rated PG is Monster house, which was released on the 11th August 2006, it is an animated film which includes a storyline of three children who realize a neighbour’s house is really a monster, although no adults will believe them. They then must find a way to stop the house and save the neighbourhood. Similar to the universal example it is a mix percentage of age ranges who watched the film, however the largest percentage who viewed this film were aged between 35 to 44, with a total of 21%. 57% of females watched the film compared to 43% of males who watched the film.

12A:

A 12A film is where an adult would need to accompany a child under the age of 12 to view the film in the cinema, the film industry (BBFC) advice the adult to pre plan whether they think the film is suitable for them to watch it or not. No one under the age of 12 would be able to buy or rent the film. A 12A/ 12 film could use discriminatory language or behaviour but shouldn’t be a major role in the film and if it is used it should be minimal but only if it is clearly condemned by the film industry.  Misuse of drugs must be infrequent and shouldn’t be encouraged or glamorised in any way. There should be no promotion of potentially dangerous behaviour which children are likely to imitate, no emphasis on knives or other weapons and no endorsement of anti-social behaviour. Nudity is allowed and used in a sexual context but it must be brief and discreet. Sexual activity may be briefly portrayed and could include some moderate sex references but if it is cruder it is unlikely to be acceptable. Moderate physical and psychological threat and horror could be used although some scenes may be disturbing, the overall tone shouldn’t be also moderate violence may be used but not in lots of detail. There should be no focus on blood or injuries but some gory scenes are approved. Sexual violence may only be implied if it is justified by the context. A 12A/ 12 film can attract different audiences as it is upon up to a larger audience as long as a child under the age of 12 is accompanied by an adult and also to anyone over the age of 12. 12A/12 films are most likely targeted at young teenagers eg. Ages 12 to 15 as the storylines of films become more detailed and the film itself becomes more intense.  A 12/12A film can also enhance how successful the film is because it is opened up to a larger target audience.

An example of a film rated 12A is Mean girls which was released on the 18th June 2004, it includes a storyline of an adolescent girl who moves from being home schooled in Africa to a public school where she falls in love with the ex-boyfriend of the most popular girl in school.This spirals into things getting out of hand and she soon becomes one of these mean spirited girls, the audience watch her develop and learn from her mistakes. This follows the storyline of a coming of age film and helps justify the target audience of predominately females who would watch this film.  

15:

A 15 film is where no one younger the age of 15 can view the film in the cinema or buy and rent it, however anyone over the age of 15 can view it. Discrimination may be in a 15 rated film for example racism or homophobic language or behaviour, but must not be endorsed or encouraged in any way. Drug taking may be shown but not promoted in any way, also any misuse of easily accessible drugs could be used. Dangerous behaviour like suicide, self-harming or hanging could be used but shouldn’t dwell on detail. The allowance of weapons will all depend on the realism of the film, the context and the setting. Strong language may be used and very strong language is permitted but depends on the manner in which it is used, who is using it and if it is frequent or not. Nudity can be used if it has an educational purpose, similar to sexual activity it is permitted but references are to be displayed with little detail and strong references are likely to be acceptable unless justified by context. A strong threat/ horror may be used however a strong focus on sexual threat is unlikely to be acceptable. Violence used may be strong but shouldn’t dwell on injury or pain and strong images of gore are unlikely to be accepted. A 15 film can attract different audiences as it is aimed at anyone over the age of 15 and different genres can entice different people whether they are teenagers, middle aged adults or an older generation. A 15 film can also enhance how successful the film is because it can attract anyone over the age of 15 and in particular the majority of people aged 16 onwards work so they would be able to pay for there on tickets to view the film in the cinema.

An example of a film rated 15 is Purge; Election year which was released on the 26th August 2016, it follows a storyline of a two years after choosing not to kill the man who killed his son, former police Sergeant Barnes becomes head of security for Senator Charlene Roan, the front runner in the next Presidential election due to her vow to eliminate the Purge. It includes content of violence, horror and gore following the genre of Horror. It was predominately viewed by males (55%) however the remaining 45% (still high) was watched by females, a possible reason could be due to the attractive hero character James DeMonaco featuring as a main character. However the largest number of people who watched the film were aged between 15 years old to 24 years old, the total being 66%.

18:

An 18 film is where no one younger than 18 may see, rent or buy the film, this is also the age where adults should be seen to choose their own entertainment. 18 rated films can include violence, sexual violence, drugs abuse, dangerous or graphic features however there are some exceptions including the breach of the criminal law or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence, where material or treatment appears to us to risk or harm individuals through their behaviour to society for example a detailed use of drugs abuse. Where there are more explicit images of sexual activity in the context of a sex work. Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality or safer sex and health, explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted. An 18 film can attract a wide range of audiences as it is targeted to anyone over the age of 18 (this is an age range where the majority of people have an income). However it is restricted to any of the younger viewers aged 18 and below. An 18 film can also enhance how successful the film is because it can attract an audience of anyone over the age of 18 which is a larger range as a certain type of viewer goes to watch it.

An example of a certificate rated 18 film is Saw I which was released on the 1st October 2004, it includes features of horror and gore. The largest number of people who watched the film were aged between 15 years old to 24 years old, the total was 42%. It also reveals that the majority of the audience were male (67%) compared to females (33%), reflecting the genre of the film (horror) as in previous research I found out that it is predominantly males who watch horror films.