2. What are the different age
groups seen in media filming?
Quote from BBFC website - ‘All classification decisions are based on the BBFC’s
published and regularly updated Guidelines. The Guidelines are the product of
extensive public consultation, research and the accumulated experience of the BBFC
over many years.’
Her shown are the different age ratings in the film industry:
3. U - Age rating classification
This age rating means that the film is suitable for
people from the age of four and upwards to watch
according to the BBFC website.
It means ‘Universal’.
Films with this BBFC insight should raise no
significant issues in terms of discrimination,
drugs, horror, imitable behaviour, language,
nudity, sex, theme or violence.
4. PG - Age rating classification
PG stands for Parental Guidance. This means that
the film should be suitable for most ages, however
some scenes may be unsuitable for younger
children.
Parents may want to consider whether their
children will find the content of the film with this
rating distressing or not.
The certificate means that any issues in the work
are appropriate for the majority of this age group
and nothing should upset a child of eight or over.
Their can be references to sex and some bad
language in a PG rated film however their
shouldn’t be any scenes of direct violence.
5. 12A – Age rating classification
12A means that anyone aged 12 or over can go to see
this particular film unaccompanied. The A stands for
'accompanied' and 'advisory’ for people who are under
the age of 12 years old.
What is the difference between 12 and 12A? –
The difference between these two age ratings is that
the 12 certificate is just for videos, DVDs and Blu-rays,
where as 12A is for films at the cinema only.
6. 12 – Age rating classification
This age rating means that anyone watching the film
has to be aged 12 or above. It is different from the 12A
rating as people under the age of 12 should not be
watching the film even if they are accompanied by an
adult.
Strong language can appear in a 12 rated film,
however it cannot be frequent. It also depends on the
manor the strong language is used in.
Sex cab be briefly portrayed in a 12 rated film,
although verbal sex references should not go further
than what is suitable for young teenagers.
12 rated films may contain moderate violence.
7. 15 – Age rating classification
No-one under the age of 15 is allowed to see or buy a
15 age rated film. Films that are rated in this way are
not suitable for anyone under the age of 15 (according
to the BBFC website), as they may include the
following aspects:
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•
•
•
•
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Strong violence
Frequent strong language
Sexual activity
Strong verbal references to sex
Sexual nudity
Brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal
references to sexual violence
• Discriminatory language or behaviour
• Drug taking
8. 18 – Age rating classification
Films rated 18 are for adults. No-one under 18 is
allowed to see a 18 age rated film or buy an 18 age
rated film.
No theme or content is prohibited in an 18 age rated
film, therefore the content within the film could prove
to be offensive to even some adult viewers.
Films that fall under the 18 age rating can include very
strong language, sex scenes which can be real sex,
sexual violence, strong violence, drug taking/dealing,
strong scenes blood and gore etc.
There are no constraints on the aspects that can be
applied to an 18 age rated film.
9. 18R – Age rating classification
The ‘R18’ category is a special and legally restricted
classification, that is used to consent films that are
based on sex scenes or strong sex fetish material
involving adults.
The BBFC says:
‘R18 works are sex works whose primary purpose is
sexual arousal or stimulation and which are only
allowed to be shown in specially licensed cinemas, or
sold in licensed sex shops. They can only be seen by or
sold to adults.’
It isn’t as common to find a film with this age rating,
as this classification of film is filtered out from the
main public search, as some viewers may find it too
explicit and offensive.
