Monday, 31 March 2014

Regulatory Bodies- BBFC


The BBFC stands for British Board of Film Classification. BBFC is a non-governmental organisation which is funded by the film industry. They are in charge of the national classification and censorship of films within the UK. It is based in London and the only income is from the work they do such as the running time of a film. The BBFC's finances are administered by the Council of Management. The current Council membership is Graham Lee, Steve Jaggs, Sonita Alleyne, Maggie Carver, Joanne Shaw and Jonathan Teckham. Patrick Swaffer is the President of BBFC
and has two Vice Presidents who are Alison Hastings and Gerard Lemos who together makes sure the classification of  a film works under the Video Recordings Act 1984. There is many people who are part of the management team such as the director who is David Cooke. The director makes executive decisions on behalf of the Presidents and Vice Presidents. He also ensures the carrying out of the policy and management of the BBFC is right and handles relations with the industry, the public etc.

In deciding what certificate rating to give a film it is to protect children from watching unsuitable films/scenes. The BBFC rate films an age which they feel is suitable going by the classification guidelines which are: http://www.bbfc.co.uk/sites/default/files/attachments/BBFC%20Classification%20Guidelines%202014_6.pdf

The process of rating is for a senior examiner and a examiner to watch the film all the way though and to note down any issues such  as discuimination, drugs, horror, dangerous, language, nudity, sex and violence. Depending on how much content of each or any of the issues following the classification guidelines they decide on what rating. However an examiner has to get comfimation from an senior examiner who sometimes in difficult situation may have to contact the presidents to have a final decision on the rating. The legal considerations of BBFC are:

·         Human Rights Act 1988

·         The Licensing Act 2003

·          The Video Recordings Act 1984

·          The Obscene Publications Act 1959 & 1964

·          Criminal Justice and  Immigration Act 2008

·         The Protection of Children 1978

·         The sexual Offences Act 2003

·         The Public Order Act 1986

·         The Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937

·         The Animal Welfare Act 2006

·         The Tobacco Advertising Act and Promotion Act 2002

For the film Coraline it was rated PG. BBFC found there was a creepiness atmosphere thought the film with the buttons as eyes and the boy being a body of rats. However there were many parts of the film which didn’t make it so scary with the comedy, dancing mice strange amusing neighbours. Also with Caroline she was presented as brave and manages to get herself out of tricky situations and mot only herself but her real parents too. But the reason why it was not a U is due to some of the scares being from people/places such as their parents and their home. However throughout the film it was reassuring a happy ending.

 

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