Film Clasification.

Film Clasification: 18.

 

Suitable only for adults
No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a cinema.
No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video.
In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC’s public consultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, at ‘18’ the BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally override the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:

·where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence

·where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault

·where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in ‘R18’ works, and in ‘sex works’ (see below) would normally be confined to that category.

In the case of video works (including video games), which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent than for cinema films.

Sex education at ‘18’

Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safer sex and health, explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted.

Film Clasification: 15.

 

 

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.

Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.

Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.

Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

There may be frequent use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’). The strongest terms (for example, ‘cunt’) may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.

Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.

Sexual activity may be portrayed 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.

No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds.

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 or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.

Film Clasification: 12.

Suitable for 12 years and over Exactly the same criteria are used to classify works at ‘12A’ and ‘12’. These categories are awarded where the material is suitable, in general, only for those aged 12 and over. Works classified at these categories may upset children under 12 or contain material which many parents will find unsuitable for them.
The ‘12A’ category exists only for cinema films. No one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult, and films classified ‘12A’ are not recommended for a child below 12. An adult may take a younger child if, in their judgement, the film is suitable for that particular child. In such circumstances, responsibility for allowing a child under 12 to view lies with the accompanying adult.
The ‘12’ category exists only for video works. No one younger than 12 may rent or buy a ‘12’ rated video work.
Discrimination
Discriminatory language or behaviour must not be endorsed by the work as a whole. Aggressive discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly condemned.
Drugs
Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or give instructional detail.
Horror
Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained.
Imitable behaviour
Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied, or appear pain or harm free. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.
Language
Moderate language is allowed. The use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’) must be infrequent.
Nudity
Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet.
Sex
Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. Frequent crude references are unlikely to be acceptable.
Theme
Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.
Violence
Moderate violence is allowed but 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 must have a strong contextual justification.

FilmClasification: PG.

General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. A ‘PG’ film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.

If a work is particularly suitable for a pre-school child to view alone, this will be indicated in the Consumer Advice.

Discrimination

No discriminatory language or behaviour unless clearly disapproved of.
Drugs

No references to illegal drugs or drug misuse unless they are infrequent and innocuous, or there is a clear educational purpose or anti-drug message suitable for young children.
Horror

Scary sequences should be mild, brief and unlikely to cause undue anxiety to young children. The outcome should be reassuring.
Imitable behaviour

No potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy. No emphasis on realistic or easily accessible weapons.
Language

Infrequent use only of very mild bad language.
Nudity

Occasional natural nudity, with no sexual context.
Sex

Mild sexual behaviour (for example, kissing) and references only (for example, to ‘making love’).
Theme

While problematic themes may be present, their treatment must be sensitive and appropriate for young children.
Violence

Mild violence only, Occasional mild threat or menace only.

Film Classification:U.

A lot of U rated films are animation and almost all of them are aimed at the 5-7 audience. There are a few exceptions, such as a few of the Star Wars films are U rated, however they are aimed for a very wide audience. This film classification is very much for family films, and you do not get many thrillers that are made for this age group. But a ‘U’ film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. ‘U’ films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror.

If a work is particularly suitable for a pre-school child to view alone, this will be indicated in the Consumer Advice.
Discrimination

No discriminatory language or behaviour unless clearly disapproved of.
Drugs

No references to illegal drugs or drug misuse unless they are infrequent and innocuous, or there is a clear educational purpose or anti-drug message suitable for young children.
Horror

Scary sequences should be mild, brief and unlikely to cause undue anxiety to young children. The outcome should be reassuring.
Imitable behaviour

No potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy. No emphasis on realistic or easily accessible weapons.
Language

Infrequent use only of very mild bad language.
Nudity

Occasional natural nudity, with no sexual context.
Sex

Mild sexual behaviour (for example, kissing) and references only (for example, to ‘making love’).
Theme

While problematic themes may be present, their treatment must be sensitive and appropriate for young children.
Violence

Mild violence only. Occasional mild threat or menace only.

Research Analysis: Of an Opening Scene(Horror) - Scream.

 

Scream's opening two minutes displays a lot of horror conventions. We are introduced to the main antagonist of the film and shown his dark humoured personality through his phone conversation with the unnamed woman from the scene. This piece of dialogue starts light-hearted and slowly descends into dark tones and evil threats. We do not see the antagonist in the opening scene in order to build suspense and intrigue as to his identity or appearance.

The woman featured in the scene is herself another genre indicator as the role of the helpless teenage girl being stalked by a killer is common in many horror films, who fits perfectly into the stereotypical conventions of weak female victims; for example she is a ditsy blonde, who has no idea what danger shes getting into, she also fails at being able to protect or defend herself. The suspense created by the scene is also helped by the location, a big, empty house with a large garden. The situation is made worse the second the unknown voice says “I want to know who I’m looking at” immediately the audience is notified that there is an unknown person, lurking outside somewhere, the house itself providing the only protection from the evil outside.

The background music of the scene is slow and mysterious violin chords to start off with but as the dialogue of the scene becomes darker and more dramatic the pace of the music quickens and loud drums are brought in. This could be to represent the woman's heart rate increasing as she becomes more and more scared of her attacker. The attacker’s voice works with the background music of the scene to show how creepy he sounds and connotes that he no ordinary sane individual, which suggests to the audiance that he is the main antagonist.

Props aren't really a major factor of the opening scene; the only one of any significance would maybe be the popcorn the woman is cooking on the stove as she talks to the antagonist, another prop used could be the fact that she begins to play with a kitchen knife, while discussing her favourite horror movie, Halloween. It’s ironic because the plot of Halloween – a babysitter being stalked and then murdered is about to happen to her. The expanding of the popcorn pack as the scene progresses could draw comparisons to the expanding tension of the scene, with the dialogue starting off with small talk about favourite films of the characters and culminating in the antagonist threatening the woman to "gut you like a fish".

After the opening dialogue of the scene between the woman and the antagonist over the phone, there is a long establishing shot of the house the scene is set in. The lighting of this shot is helpful towards setting a tone of the scene as the shot is mostly dark, with the only areas well lit the house (representing the safe, protagonist location) and a creepy slow-moving children's swing in the foreground of the shot (representing the antagonists presence outside the house). This highlights the importance of these 2 factors to the audience as they receive the most attention from the shot, it also add's to the rising tension as viewers have no idea where abouts the unknown man is.

 Research Analysis: Of an Opening                Scene(Action) - The Dark Knight.

The Dark Knight is an action sequence, which immediately grabs the audience's attention and obeys the conventions of an action/crime drama that is grounded in reality. It's a story about the DC comic book hero Batman. The Dark Knight begins with a bank heist, The Joker, the main antagonist in the film takes centre stage in this scene, however you do not know which one he is, due to the clown masks worn, along with 5 other men who slowly get killed off one by one throughout the clip.

The opening titles of the film have been altered to try and set the scene of the film; all the production companies involved usual opening title colours have been replaced with much more dark and gloomy colours. This shows a clear attempt to try and introduce the film as a Thriller, a mysterious film. This takes a good effect as it does succeed to set the scene and gives the audience acknowledgement of the type of film.

The first bit of dietetic sound the film uses is when two characters dressed with clown masks fire a gun through a window. This answers why there was an explosion. The scene is shot using a medium close up from behind the two characters.

As the scene goes on, more mysteries are created; the bank manager yells 'Do you know who you're stealing from? You guys are dead'. While picking up and shot gun and walking towards the robbers angrily. They each kill each other off quietly in order to get more money off the portion which is being stolen, the director of the film has used a very clever way to present it, as mysteries keep the audience confused but would be kept interested in watching on.

This opening scene starts with no diegetic sounds which seem to add to the dark opening of the film. The next scene starts with an extreme long shot which establishes the scene of a busy Gotham City centre. The scene is shot using a helicopter which crabs sideways towards a skyscraper with dark tinted windows to centralise the audience's focus on the buildings. There is still no use of dialogue of in this scene but there is use of a non-diegetic soundtrack building in the background. The soundtrack appears to start soft and quiet which could connote of a peaceful, tranquil city, but as Batman readers would realise this is never the case.

The conventions of the action genre are made very clear through many aspects, such as the use of guns, the exploding window, and the bus going through the wall, but I think that what really brings out the action is the music. The music is very subtle, without any definitive melody, but just a bass that plays over the images and pushes the action. The sound levels go up and down according to whether there is dialogue, or action. There are a few moments where the music picks up a bit and adds even more to the scene, when the men are going across the grapple, there are three hits on a drum, bringing out the danger which the men are putting themselves in, to put in more tension and drama.

                              Preliminary task evaluation.

For our Preliminary Task we chose to film in the school library because we could film within school without being interrupted. The library also suits what we had to do as we wanted to shoot a character opening a door, entering a room, sitting down and having a brief conversation with another actor. We began the scene with an actor pushing open a door and entering the room, we used a medium shot to show this action, however to achieve a 'Match on action' shot we should have had a close upshot showing the first characters hand pushing open the door.

We used a range of shots such as Medium shots such as the one showing the character walking on the other side of the glass, not only does the camera pan in the direction that he is walking, which helps show that the character is heading to a location, but it also zooms out enabling to have a clearer view of the current location. This shot is continued until the main character is nearing the door, where it then cuts to a shot showing the character opening the door. It was at this point that we should have changed the shot again, adding in a split second clip showing a close-up of the character placing his hand on the door handle, followed by him pushing it open; this would have helped us achieve 'Match on Action,' if we could do this scene again that’s one of the major aspects that we'd change.

Another shot we used was an over the shoulder, we used this during the brief conversation between the two characters to give the viewers the impression that they were there during the clip. This shot also helps the viewer see that a conversation is taking place.

The speeds of the cuts a relatively fast, which normally is used to speed up the pace of a scene, a fight scene is a perfect example. However this is where we went wrong, as I didn’t know how to change the cut speed on Adobe Premier Elements 10, which is something I took the time to research in order to allow me to change it in the future.

Overall i don't think this task went very well as it was all quite basic, hopefully in our opening two minutes we will show a higher range of skills.