British Board of film classification (BBFC)

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), originally British Board of Film Censors, is a non-governmental organisation, funded by the film industry and responsible for the national classification of films within the United Kingdom. It has a statutory requirement to classify videos, DVDs and some video games under the Video Recordings Act 2010.

The BBFC rates theatrically released films, and rated videos and video games that forfeited exemption from the Video Recordings Act 1984, which was discovered in August 2009 to be unenforceable until the act was re-enacted by the Video Recordings Act 2010. Legally, local authorities have the power to decide under what circumstances films are shown in cinemas, but they nearly always choose to follow the advice of the BBFC.

The Video Recordings Act requires that video releases not exempt (music, documentary, non-fiction, video games, etc.) under the Act had to be classified, making it illegal to supply any recording that had not been certified. Certificates could restrict release to any age of 18 or under, or to only licensed sex-shops. The government currently designate the BBFC as the authority for certifying video releases. As the law requires the certificate to be displayed on the packaging and media labels of the video recording, in practice only UK releases can be legally sold or hired in the UK, even if a foreign release had identical content.

Video games with specific themes or content (such as the Grand Theft Auto series) must also be submitted to the BBFC to receive a legally binding rating (contrast with the advisoryPEGI ratings) in the same way as videos, however, under the Digital Economy Act 2010, responsibility for rating games that include violence or encourage criminal activity will pass from the BBFC to the Video Standards Council. Other video games may be submitted at the publisher's discretion.

All films and video games rated by the BBFC receive a certificate, along with "consumer advice" detailing references to sex, violence and coarse language. If a certificate specifies that a film or video game is only suitable for someone over a certain age, then only those over that age may buy it.

The BBFC can also advise cuts for a less-restrictive rating. This generally occurs in borderline cases where distributors have requested a certificate and the BBFC has rated the work at a more-restrictive level; however, some cuts are compulsory, such as scenes that violate the Protection of Children Act 1978 or Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937. The final certificate then depends on the distributor's decision on whether or not to make the suggested cuts. Some works are even rejected if the distributor refuses the cut.

Both examiners and the directors of the BBFC are hired on a permanent basis. Examiners are required to watch 5 hours 20 mins of media, to a maximum of 35 hours a week.

Symbol	Name	Definition/Notes
	Universal	All ages admitted, there is nothing unsuitable for children over 4.
	Parental Guidance	All ages admitted, but certain scenes may be unsuitable for children under 8.
	12A	Cinema only. Introduced in 2002. Films under this category are considered to be unsuitable for very young people. Those aged under 12 years are only admitted if accompanied by an adult, aged at least 18 years, at all times during the motion picture. However, it is generally not recommended that children under 12 years should watch the film. Films under this category can contain mature themes, discrimination, soft drugs, commonly used milder swear words, and moderate violence/sex references.
	12	Home media only since 2002. 12A-rated films are usually given a 12 certificate for the VHS/DVD version unless extra material has been added that requires a higher rating. Nobody younger than 12 can rent or buy a 12-rated VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD or game. Films in this category may include infrequent drugs, infrequent use of strong language, brief nudity, discreet sexual activity, and moderate violence.
	15	Only those over 15 years are admitted. Nobody younger than 15 can rent or buy a 15-rated VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD or game, or watch a film in the cinema with this rating. Films under this category can contain adult themes, hard drugs, strong language, moderate-strong violence/sex references, and mild non-detailed sex activity.
	18	Only adults are admitted. Nobody younger than 18 can rent or buy an 18-rated VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD or game, or watch a film in the cinema with this rating. Films under this category do not have limitation on the bad language that is used. Hard drugs are generally allowed, and strong violence/sex references along with strong sexual activity is also allowed. Scenes of strong real sex may be permitted if justified by the context.
	Restricted 18	Can only be shown at licensed cinemas or sold at licensed retailers or sex shops, and only to adults, those aged 18 or over. Films under this category have material the BBFC does not allow for its "18" rating, thus the violence and sex activity will be stronger in R18-rated VHSs, DVDs and films than those rated "18," however, there is still a range of material that is often cut from the R18 rating. More cuts are demanded in this category than any other category.

Actual Prelim...

This is our finished prelim, the editing is smooth and everything went well. I learnt how to use all the apple macs, as we used a program on them called imovie. this program is for editing and creating movies, it is standard with any apple mac, may it be macbook, imac or mac mini. 


the program is very easy to use, and holds a variety of techniques used for editing. you can easily split footage, change the colour, speed it up. You can also add transitions such as fade to black. As you can see from our prelim, there is a scene where the camera looks like a CCTV camera, imovie gave us this ability very easily, we just changed the colour of the footage and then added a special effect. This made it look like I was walking past a CCTV camera. 


Our prelim had a variety of camera shots such as a over shoulder shot, which was very effective when we was filming in the office, this gives the audience a real sense of like they where there stood in the office. We also did a action shot, showing me open the door into the office, this is a very good shot, as it shows the audience what is exactly going on.

This is the program imovie, this is a screenshot off of my own macbook. I already had experience in using imovie but i have learnt a lot more from doing this prelim task.

Prelim Plan:

Starring; Kingston Capes (Agent Capes)
              Henry Louth (The Don)
Camera and Filming: Jessica Cooke & Hannah Phillips

• Mission impossible theme tune from start of prelim.
• Long shot of Agent Capes walking up the sweeping staircase
• Freeze frame of Agent Capes where writing will come across the screen saying 'Agent Capes' for a duration of one second
• Transition to mid shot of Agent Capes walking towards the camera from roughly four steps down from the top of the stairs.
• Close up of Agents Capes's feet walking across the stairway towards the door.
• Mid shot of Agent Capes opening the door
• Transition to mid shot from other side of the door
• Mid shot of Agent Capes walking towards the camera
• Long shot (CCTV style) of Agent Capes walking from one end of the corridor to the other
• Mission impossible music stops
• Midshot of Agent capes walking towards a door
• Close up of his hand placed on the door handle
• Close up of sign 'meeting in progress'
• Mid shot of door opening from the other side and Agent Capes walking into the room
• Over the shoulder shot (FREEZE FRAME) of The don for a duration of one second.
• Over the shoulder shot of the don speaking; 'ah kingston, i've been expecting you'
• VERY IMPORTANT TO STICK TO ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY DEGREE RULE
• Over the shoulder shot of Agent Capes putting his hand in blazer and picking out a letter
• Extreme close up of Agent Capes's eyes
• Extreme close up of the dons eyes
• Close up of both characters hands exchanging a letter
• Mid shot of the don recieving the letter and reading it and then speaking; 'what is this?!' to then go on to say 'i'm dissapointed kinsgton..'
• Mid shot of Agent Capes saying; 'its not my job anymore'
• High angled shot of the don saying i'm disappointed and reaching his hand to somewhere under the table
• Screen goes black
• GUN SOUND OCCURS.

MEMENTO opening analysis...

Director: Christopher Nolan 

Writers: Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan

Stars: Guy Pearce, Carrie-anne Moss and Joe Pantoliano

The Titles in Memento are unusual to one of a conventional thriller. The typical thriller aspect is to have a black background, with either red or white writing over it. This gives the audience a sense of fear, and may also add mystery. The red may symbolise blood, and the white death, and then black could symbolise mystery or confusion. However in Memento the titles are done with blue on black. This shows a possible theme of loneliness, sadness and even confusion through out the film. The non-diegetic sound used through out the title may also represent loneliness and sadness. Starting off with a single instrument and adding more and more as the titles progress. This gives the audience a sense of loneliness and even confusion, this indicates how the main character, goes about his life on a day to day basis, through out the film. As the title finish's another non-diegetic sound is added, this is a ticking clock, maybe inferring that someones life is about to run out, thus symbolising death. The film is also played in a non-linear fashion meaning that the film is played backwards, this means that the audience have to piece the film together, and also has a very shocking experience.

THE HAPPENING!

Director: M.Night Shyamalan

Writer: M.Night Shyamalan

Stars: Mark Whalberg, Zooey Deschanel and John Leguizamo

Im going to analyse the first five minutes of the film 'The Happening'. At the opening of the movie, there is a lot of aery music, which adds lots of tension, its kinda bringing it to a climax. It cuts through all the film companies, still with that aery music to add the tension. It then starts to fade into clouds:

This gives an element of suspension, this builds tension. You can hear the Non-Diegetic sound the 'WIND' this adds tension, as the wind is quite creepy. Violins are then added to the aery music, which adds a sense of creepiness and sadness. The sound track then becomes more percussion, as drums are added, this adds suspense, tension and mystery (Minor key added). This really adds a sense of impending DOOM. The clouds then start to move faster, in sync with the soundtrack. The clouds then start to turn black, which symbolises that a storm is coming, and storms are normally thought as, bad, gloomy, and scary.

It then cuts to central park in New york, in america, it gives you a view of the park, suggesting that it is a normal day, panning from left to right, showing the audience. You can still hear the wind, which adds tension and suspense, quite creepy. It then cuts to two people sitting on a park bench talking (once again suggesting that its a normal day). The lady on the left suddenly forgets what she was reading about, this is quite strange, its like she starts to stare into space. It then cuts to the tree's but the wind starts to get louder, and the tree's branches start to shake. Non-Diegetic music then starts to build up, adding mystery, and suspense, like something bad is about to 'happen'. Then a diegetic scream is heard, everyone freezes: 

The cuts keep getting quicker and quicker, adds a sense of confusion, and is quite strange. More screams are heard. Cause and effect is used here, the cause being the'Everyday scene' the effect then being 'people acting out of place'. Lots of reaction shots are added, of the a lady in the park. The music still building in the background, this ladys friend is not responding to her suggests that there is a problem. The lady with the book, then starts to reach to her head, and slowly pulls out a hair chop stick, this is viewed from a high angle, showing you the weapon in clear view. Drums then start to build, this may reefer to a death march. then the lady then drives the weapon into her neck, which is very strange.

To the conclude i think the first five minutes of the movie really sets the scene, sets the audience up for the movie, but not revealing to much. Lots of camera angles are used, to give the audience the best effect.

INCEPION (2010)

Director: Christopher Nolan

Writer: Christopher Nolan

Stars: Leonardo Dicaprio, Joseph Gordon-levitt, and Ellen Page.

An action-thriller where a thief has to pull of the crime of the century. Inception is in a world where humans have developed technology so they can enter the human mind. Dom Cobb (Leonardo Dicaprio) is a skilled thief the best in the art of extraction, stealing secrets and information in the subconscious state of dream. His ability to do this has made him a wanted fugitive costing him everything he loves, including his family. He is then offered a chance of redemption. One last job could give him back everything he had in his life, but onlt if he can accomplish the impossible-inception. Instead of stealing information from a mind, Cobb and his team will have to plant and idea into someones brain. But no amount of careful planning or expertise can prepare the team for the dangerous enemy that seems to predict their every move. An enemy that only Cobb could have seen coming.

I recently watched this film, as i thought that the media in the film would be good to analyse, as it looks to be quite complicated and hard to understand:

- The genre of the film, Action, sci-fi, thriller. Which makes the film a mixed genre.

- I thought that the storyline of the film is fresh and original making it a good film to watch.

- The film is very hard to understand, as they enter the mind and then go into 'limbo' etc. It is defiantly a film that has to be watched several times to get the full picture. 

- The end of the film, will play with your mind, as you dont know if Cobb is still in 'limbo', as he can see his children. This makes the end very interesting, and i think the ending is what will make you want to watch the film again, until you can get your head around the ending.

- The ending is really left, open so you can decide how it has ended, personally i think he has left the dream world, and is not in 'limbo' 

Analysis of the film ‘Psycho 1997’ the shower scene. 

This shot is a close up, showing the killer and the weapon used by the killer. The rule of thirds is used here, as the killers face is in the centre of the screen, but is masked by her hair, and the water from the shower hides the face of the killer as well, which adds a sense of mystery as we don’t know who the killer is, also as the lighting is coming from behind him/her, this leaves the killers face completely in darkness, but also adds a silhouette like figure. As the water blocks the killers face, it is like we are seeing it from the victims eyes, P.O.V. (point of view). which makes us feel as if we are ‘there’ as if we are the ‘victim’. The lighting in the shot, completely highlights the weapon (knife) so it will draw our attention to it. Down on the corner of the killers arm, it seems to me that there is blood on his/her, which may be from another victim, which adds tension, and adds more mystery, to add to the whole disguise of the killers identity. The mis-en-scene is important, as the costume of the killer, is very mysterious, and dark to hide the identity of the killer. The golden mean, is used as well, as the knife is highlighted in the left corner. The body language shows violence and aggression as it looks as if the killer has pulled back to knife, as he/she is about to drive the knife into the victims body.

To conclude I think this still can tell the audience a lot about the killer, and what is about to happen, but it also adds a lot of mystery and suspense.

Shower Still. Mid/Close shot and two shot.

This is a mid/close shot, as it shows the face of the victim, but then the top half of the killer in the back ground, which makes this a two shot. You can see the killer behind the shower curtain, buts its not very clear, which once again adds a sense of mystery and tension, as you don’t know what is going to happen. The shot uses the rule of thirds as you can see the victim and the movement of the killer in the background. the mis-en-scene is important as you can see the victim in the shower, and the killer in the background, but the killer is hidden by the shower curtain. The body language of the victim shows that she is innocent and has no idea that the killer is behind her, but as the killer is moving so slowly, and sneakily, this gives the audience a sense of urge as they want to find out who is behind the curtain. The lighting is coming from the top of the shower head, which lights up the victim, but as yet again hidden the killer in darkness, which adds mystery and suspense.

To conclude I think this still can tell you a lot about what is about to happen, such as the killer is creeping up in the background, and the victim has no idea which, adds a tremendous amount of tension, and fear for the victim.

Knife still. Birds-eye shot and two shot.

This is an birds-eye shot of the victim being stabbed by the killer, this shot shows that the victims is helpless, as she tries to fight off the killer. This is also a two shot, showing the killer and the victim. We can see here that the killer has already attacked the victim, and she is in much pain. you could say the the golden mean is used here, as the victim is in the corner of the shot. Once again the killers identity is hidden, mainly by the hight of the camera ‘shot’ but also by the shower curtain rail, this once again adds mystery as we still don’t know who the killer is, even when the murder is being committed. How the victims, holds onto the killer’s hand, gives us a sense of struggle, as there may still be some life, in her to fight back. Mis-en-scene is very important, as we can see the knife being driven into the victim. The body language in this scene shows violence and aggression, and that the killer, is going all out to do the job properly. The body language of the victim, shows that she is fighting for her life, literally. Which adds to the suspense of the scene. This is one of two birds-eye shots, which really shows the audience how weak and powerless the victim is. The lighting of the shot, is coming from the ceiling, so basically where the camera is, which highlights the whole of the bath tub, and everything that is going on in it.

To conclude i think this still can tell you a lot about how weak and helpless the victim is compared to the killer.

To conclude, I think that this particular scene, has a more horror like sense to it than a thriller, as it is quite bloody and shocking. I think that the scene really does well in hiding the killers identity, which adds to the suspense and mystery. Which is the thriller part of the scene. Overall having watched this scene, i think the rest of the movie, does well, in fitting the thriller genre.