The BBFC

The BBFC currently issues the following certificates. The category logos were introduced in December 2002, replacing the previous ones that had been in place since 1985.

Symbol	Name	Definition/Notes
	Universal	All ages admitted, there is nothing unsuitable for children. Films under this category should not upset children over 4. Examples: FernGully: The Last Rainforest, The Incredibles
	Parental Guidance	All ages admitted, but certain scenes may be unsuitable for children under 8. Example: The Simpsons Movie, Toy Story, Tron: Legacy
	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. Examples: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Pirates of the Caribbean, Yes Man, Fred: The Movie
	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 words, moderate-strong violence/sex references, and mild non-detailed sex activity. Examples: The Uninvited, Good Luck Chuck, Love and Other Drugs
	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 non-detailed sex activity is also allowed. Examples: In Bruges, Saw III, Jackass 3D
	Restricted 18	Only adults are admitted, and can only be shown at licensed cinemas or sold at sex shops. 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.[6] Example: Deep Throat

Symbol	Name	Definition/Notes
	Universal	All ages admitted, there is nothing unsuitable for children. Films under this category should not upset children over 4. Examples: FernGully: The Last Rainforest, The Incredibles
	Parental Guidance	All ages admitted, but certain scenes may be unsuitable for children under 8. Example: The Simpsons Movie, Toy Story, Tron: Legacy
	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. Examples: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Pirates of the Caribbean, Yes Man, Fred: The Movie
	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 words, moderate-strong violence/sex references, and mild non-detailed sex activity. Examples: The Uninvited, Good Luck Chuck, Love and Other Drugs
	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 non-detailed sex activity is also allowed. Examples: In Bruges, Saw III, Jackass 3D
	Restricted 18	Only adults are admitted, and can only be shown at licensed cinemas or sold at sex shops. 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.[6]

Universal

All ages admitted, there is nothing unsuitable for children. Films under this category should not upset children over 4. Examples: FernGully: The Last Rainforest, The Incredibles

Demographics/Psychographic Profiling

Demographics when used in film is often concentrated at areas such as income of the human population which splits them in to six groups based on their income and their status within the community. It can also be based on gender, sexuality, race, age, disabilities and many others. Filmakers would look at these areas and decide what people within these areas would be targeted. For example when thinking about income there are six groups that split the population up These six groups range from higher management, lawyers and bankers at the very top to unemployed, students and pensioners at the bottom. When making a film it is important to look at demographics to decide what group their film will fit under and what group the majority of their viewers will come from. This is the target audience and it is important that the group is identified before the film is released to ensure that it is successfully promoted.

Phsychographic profiling is found in marketing and is the process in which consumers are split into groups based on their lifestyles, behaviour and attitudes. From this we can find out what products they have purchased previously and therfore, get an idea of what products they are likely to buy. Using demographic and psychographic profiling allows the market researchers to market their products correctly and effectively and therefore, ensure that their products sell well in the future.  

Answered Questionnaire

What age category are you in?

12-14     15-17     18-21     21=25     25 and above

What gender are you?

Male                Female

Do you think the opening of a thriller is important to the rest of the film?

Yes                    No

If you enjoyed the opening of a thriller would you watch the rest of the film?

Yes                    No

Do you think the colours that are used in a thriller are important to the film?

Yes                    No

If yes, what colours would you associate with a thriller?

Red and black are often used to show darkness and danger, white is also used to show
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someone who is innocent and pure who often turns out to be the victim.
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Would a good poster attract you to watch a thriller?

Yes                    No

If yes, what has to be included to make a good poster?

An interesting setting or a close-up of one of the main characters make a good poster. Also the colours and
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fonts of the titles are important in a poster.
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What type of locations would you usually associate with a thriller?

Old or abondoned house, dark countryside, dreary town/city, train stations.
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What type of thriller do you prefer watching?

Action     Crime     Psychological     Horror     Mystery

Questionnaire

What age category are you in?

12-14     15-17     18-21     21=25     25 and above

What gender are you?

Male                Female

Do you think the opening of a thriller is important to the rest of the film?

Yes                    No

If you enjoyed the opening of a thriller would you watch the rest of the film?

Yes                    No

Do you think the colours that are used in a thriller are important to the film?

Yes                    No

If yes, what colours would you associate with a thriller?

________________________________________________________________

Would a good poster attract you to watch a thriller?

Yes                    No

If yes, what has to be included to make a good poster?

________________________________________________________________

What type of locations would you usually associate with a thriller?

________________________________________________________________

What type of thriller do you prefer watching?


Action     Crime     Psychological     Horror     Mystery

Preliminary - 180 degree rule

Match on action
Match on action is when you get a shot of something, then another shot from another angle of the same action as the first shot. This gives the effect that although there is a shot after the other, the two shots are happening at the same time.

Shot reverse shot
Shot reverse shot is where one character is shown looking at another character (often off-screen), and then the other character is shown looking back at the first character. Since the characters are shown facing in opposite directions, the viewer assumes that they are looking at each other.

Focus group findings

We have interviewed a focus group and asked questions about what their expectations are within a thriller.

Nathan Joyner-
In a thriller i would expect to see a big snappy title with a memorible tone. Also alot of deep dark and violent colours such as reds, whites and blacks will create the thriller look. Tension and suspense should be made by the music and actions of the characters. Mysterious characters have to be involved and the story lines need to be confusing leaving the audience with unanswerd questions.

Kayleigh Bolton-
I would expect villans and victims, alot of props such as guns and knives. The story line should make you think carefully about whats happening in the film as it should be confusing. Dark colours should also be displayed and should also suite the mood of the thriller.

Poster Analysis

This teaser poster contains typical images of what a thriller genre should be about. The poster has a big image of a man to capture the viewers attention. The title of the poster the font of the 'coming soon' are large to make them stick out. Also, the release date has not been shown in the poster to keep the audience in suspense. The background behind the figure is also very gloomy; a dark blue colour represents that the film is going to be a dark thriller. Furthmore, the parts of buildings have been blown up and the man in the poster is holding a gun to show that a lot of action is going to be used. The antagonist's name is at the top of the poster to show that he is going to be a main character of the film. The fact that 'The Joker' is played by Heath Ledger, it brings more excitment to the audience as his death means 'The Dark Knight' is his last film that he will star in, therefore that's the USP of the film.