12a certificate trials

It turns out the 12a certificate wasn't even introduced until 2002!

that's mad! that means that if you were under 12, you couldn't see ANYTHING other than a U or a PG! but now thanks to the new certificate, you can see a 12a if accompanied by an adult.

This interested me as Miss Humpleby informed me, trial runs for the 12a certificate were ran in my own town of Norwich, England (:

below borrowed courtesy from Wikipedia

The cinema 12 certificate was modified and renamed 12A. Those under 12 could now be admitted to 12A films, provided that they were accompanied by an adult, although the BBFC recommends that 12A films are generally unsuitable for children under 8 years old. Contrary to popular belief, the certificate was not introduced for the film Spider-Man, and the first film that got the certificate was actually The Bourne Identity. However, Spider-Man and other films still on general release at the time were reclassified as 12A. Introduction of the 12A followed two years of consultation and a trial period in NORWICH, during which time the certificate was known as PG-12 (see below). The video 12 certificate remained unchanged. Shortly after the new certificate was introduced, all of the symbols were graphically modernised but retained all their main features (colour, shape, etc.).

so now children under 12 can see a 12a film if accompanied by an adult, i guess it could encourage family viewing.

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Film Certification

18 - BORAT, Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan

taken from IMDB website (:

Borat Sagdiyev is a TV reporter of a popular show in Kazakhstan as Kazakhstan's sixth most famous man and a leading journalist. He is sent from his home to America by his government to make a documentary about American society and culture. Borat takes a course in New York City to understand American humor. While watching Baywatch on TV, Borat discovers how beautiful their women are in the form of C. J. Parker, who was played by actress Pamela Anderson who hails from Malibu, California. He decides to go on a cross-country road trip to California in a quest to make her his wife and take her back to his country. On his journey Borat and his producer encounter a country full of strange and wonderful Americans, real people in real chaotic situations with hysterical consequences.

This is an 18 certificate, as there is nudity, swearing and sexual references that would not be suitable to a person under 18 years of age.

Film Certification

15 - AVPR: ALIEN VERSUS PREDATOR REQUIEM

A little town in the hills of Colorado will become the battleground between two of the deadliest extra-terrestrial lifeforms - the Alien and the Predator. When a Predator scout ship crash-lands in the hills outside the town, Alien facehuggers are released in the crash, and an even more evil creature - a hybrid Alien/Predator - is also released. A man & his son hunting in the forests near the crash site soon become the first victims of the facehuggers, and when a Predator receives data about the crash on his home planet, he comes to Earth. One at a time, the inhabitants of the town become targets of the Aliens and the Predator, including the local sheriff, a young female soldier recently returned from Iraq, and several teens. Though the National Guard is called in, they are unable to stop the deadly creatures, and a plan is set in motion to destroy the town with a nuclear device.. imbd.com

In Gunnison County, a spacecraft crashes in the woods bringing a powerful hybrid Alien hosted inside the pilot Predator. The local Buddy Benson and his son Sam are hunting in the forest and witness the crash, but they are chased and killed by the Alien. Meanwhile another Predator lands on the spot seeking out the Alien and destroying the evidences of their presence on Earth. The dwellers of the town find themselves in the middle of a battlefield between the two deadly extraterrestrial creatures, and the small group of survivors splits the leadership between Sheriff Eddie Morales and the bad-boy Dallas Howard that have different opinions about the best means to escape from the beings.

Film Classifications.

12/12A - SPIDERMAN 3

Peter Parker has begun to feel secure in his life and plans to propose to Mary Jane. While Peter and Mary Jane are on a date, a small meteorite crashes nearby, and an extraterrestrial symbiote attaches itself to Peter's moped. Meanwhile, escaped convict Flint Marco falls into a particle accelerator that fuses his body with surrounding sand. The result allows him to shape shife at will, becoming the Sandman.

Peter's best friend Harry Osborn, who seeks vengeance for his father's death, which he believes Peter caused, attacks him. During the scuffle, Harry injures his head and suffers from partial amnesia, making him forget his vendetta.

[ to read on search "Spiderman 3" at wikipedia ]

Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) finally has the girl of his dreams, Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst), and New York City is in the throes of Spider-Mania! But when a strange alien symbiote turns Spiderman's suit black, his darkest demons come to light, changing Spiderman inside as well as out. Spiderman is in for the fight of his life against a lethal mix of villains - The deadly Sandman (Thomas Haden Church), Venom (Topher Grace), and the new Goblin (James Franco) - as well as the enemy within himself.

This film is a 12/12A which means only children over twelve may see the film unless accompanied by an adult, this is because Spiderman 3 has some scenes that may distress children under the age of 12 unless an adult is present.

Film Classification.

PG - The Golden Compass

In a parallel world ruled by the Magisterium where people's souls have animal shapes, the orphan Lyra Belaqua is educated in the Jordan College, and her uncle and Professor Lord Asriel is her tutor. Lyra accidentally overhears a conversation about a research of Lord Asriel in the North Arctic and the existence of a powerful Dust that unites differently worlds. When her best friend Roger is kidnapped by evil Gobblers, Lyra promises to rescue him. She is invited to go to the north with the influential Mrs. Coulter and the Jordan's Vicer-Chancellor secretly gives her a magical golden compass capable of revealing the truth. When Lyra finds that Mrs. Coulter is the leader of the Gobblers, she escapes from her house and the runaway girl begins an amazing adventure in a war to save her friend and the other missing children with her allied Gyptians, Witches and strong Armored Bear Lorek Byrnison.

This film is suitable as a PG film as it is child friendly but contains some violence that may require an adult for comfort.

Examples of Film Classifications.

U - UP (2009)

A young Carl Fredrickson meets a young adventure spirited girl named Ellie. they both dream of going to a Lost Land in South America. 70 years on and Ellie has died. Carl remembers the promise he made to her. Then, when he inadvertently hits a construction worker, he is forced to go into a retirement home. But before they can take him, he and his house fly away. However, he has a stowaway aboard. An eight year old boy named Russell, whose trying to get an assisting the elderly badge. Toegther they embark in an adventure, where they encounter talking dogs, an evil villain and a rare bird named Kevin.

Up is suitable as A "U" as it have a positive moral framework and an upbeat storyline, with no threat/violence/horror that isn't counterbalanced.

Film Classifications

What Are They?

What Is Their Purpose?

I need to know what film classifications are for when i begin my case study, I, or my group and I must choose a film classification for our film to fit and try and stick to it - film classification has a link to target audience and so both are vital.

I searched "what are film classifications?" and google took me to the BBFC, the official website for classification of entertainment, music and video games.

Here is what i found:

U - Universal, Suitable For All

It is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child, but a "U" film should be suitable for audiences aged 4yrs 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 by the Consumer advice.

PG - Parental Guidance, General Viewing, some scenes unsuitable for younger 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.

12A/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 years 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 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 the 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.

15 - Suitable for 15 years and over

No-one younger than 15 may see a "15" film in a cinema. No-one younger than 15 may buy or rent a "15" rated video work.

18 - Suitable only for adults

No-one younger than 18 may see an "18" film in a cinema. No-one younger than 18 may buy or rent an "18" rated video work.

R18 - To be shown only in specialised licenced cinemas, or supplied only in licensed sex shops, and to adults of no less than 18 years.

The "R18" category is a special and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and video works may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops. "R18" videos may not be supplied by mail order.

I found all this from the official BBFC website, click here to go to the Official BBFC website to view this material and more.

I think my work will have either a 12 or a 15 rating, as it would allow me a bigger target audience and being in that age group also, i would be more able to understand what attracts that age group.

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