For our film we be setting the classification at a 15. This is ignoring our focus group as they believed our film should be a 12A although when filming we added slightly more disturbing scenes and a lot of blood that we thought wouldn’t be acceptable for a 12A.
Here is part of the classification for a 12A:
Threat
There may be moderate physical and psychological threat and horror sequences. Although some scenes may be disturbing, the overall tone should not be. Horror sequences should not be frequent or sustained.
In our film, there is a sense of moderate threat as Daisy is covered with blood, and bruises which suggests she has been physically harmed in some way.
Violence
There may be moderate violence but it should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated, and its depiction must be justified by context.
Although there is emphasis on blood, there is no violence shown within our trailer aside from when daisy is dragged, apart from that it is only alluded too.
Because of these two headings we thought a 12A wouldn’t be suitable as there is emphasis on blood and it alludes to violence – and the horror / thriller scenes are frequent throughout the second half of the trailer.
15 – Suitable only for 15 years and over
No one younger than 15 may see a 15 film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a 15 rated video work.
Discrimination
The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour, although there may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory themes and language.
Within our trailer there is no language that could be considered discriminatory towards anyone of any gender, age, sexuality or race.
Drugs
Drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse (for example, through instructional detail). The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.
Drugs do not feature in our trailer, and isn’t involved with our storyline. When daisy is seen as knocked out it is suggested the violence of the attacker has made her that way.
Imitable behaviour
Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Whether the depiction of easily accessible weapons is acceptable will depend on factors such as realism, context and setting.
There is no self-inflicted dangerous behaviour in our trailer.
Language
There may be strong language. Very strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using the language, its frequency within the work as a whole and any special contextual justification.
Our full film will include rude language, although it will not be frequent. And in our trailer, there is no rude language involved.
Nudity
There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. There may be nudity in a sexual context but usually without strong detail.
There is no nudity within our trailer or full film.
Sex
Sexual activity may be portrayed, but usually without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.
There is no sexual scenes in our trailer or full film as we didn’t think it was appropriate for what the storyline is focusing on.
Threat
There may be strong threat and horror. A sustained focus on sadistic or sexual threat is unlikely to be acceptable.
There is threat consistently throughout the trailer, and full film such as the slow motion shot of Caitlin’s brother, who is believed to be the attacker, and the scenes of threat at the end of the trailer when Daisy is tied up and looks hurt.
Violence
Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but the depiction of sexual violence must be discreet and justified by context.
Violence is alluded too, although not seen.
Our Film
We decided to chose 15 as our rating as this was generally the most common age rating for the drama/thriller films we looked at as a group, such as films like Unforgettable. Also there are aspects of our film that include elements from the BBFC rating. For example, we use threat and violence when the character Daisy is abducted, and focus on her injuries such as the bloody arms and sore wrists. The shots are very short and don’t show much but they include blood and aspects of physical violence.
Jess Stevens' A Level Media blog 