BBFC Rating

The BBFC rating system shows us how films are classified and rated in the UK. 

 

The U symbol stands for Universal, which is suitable for all ages four and up. But it is impossible to predict what might upset a young child. U only allow mild language, such as 'Damn' or 'Hell'. U works do not contain sexual activity, except from characters see kissing or cuddling. There will be no focus on sexual innuendo or sexual behaviour.

The PG symbol stands for Parental guidance. This is suitable for general viewing. The themes which are passed at a PG rating are things such as domestic violence,bereavement and racism. Language may occur in PG's such as 'shit' or 'son of a bitch' but used in the correct context. References of a sexual nature may be acceptable as a child may not understand the context of them.

 

The difference between 12 and 12A is that 12A will only be shown in cinemas and childeren must be accompanied by an adult and the 12 rating will only be displayed on DVD and Blu Ray boxes. 12 films may have strong language and may include the word 'f**k' 'shit' 'twat' but this must be infrequent. Sexual refreneces and scenes maybe portrayed in 12 films, verbal refrences may not go beyond a point for young teenagers. Moderate violence is allowed on 12 showings, but they must not dwell on the subject in detail, and may include weapons and long fights.

15 certificate films include the following such as strong violence, frequent violence, portrayals of sexual activity, strong refrences to sex, drug taking and discriminatory language or behaviour. For 15 films there is no limit to the amount of 'f***' which may be used, also there may be uses of the strongest term 'c***' although if this word is often used it will not pass as a 15. There may be discriminatory themes included in 15's such as racist, homophobic themes. Sexual activity may can be portrayed, as long as it isn't in strong graphic detail. At 15 violence may be strong, but it is unacceptable to have strong gory images or it should not focus on pain. 
 


At 18 there is no theme prohibited. They could include strong issues such as very strong violence, frequent strong language 'f***' and very strong language‘c***’, strong portrayals of sexual activity, scenes of sexual violence, strong horror, strong blood and gore, discriminatory language and behaviour. There is no limit to the amount of strong language in 18 films. The violence in 18 films may be strong, they also may focus on pain or injury. Drugs may be shown in 18 rated films but they are not allowed to encourage them.





Source: http://www.bbfc.co.uk/what-classification

Three Horror movie openings

28 Weeks Later

The scene starts with multiple close ups of individual characters and objects. This is common in a horror movie, as it displays the emotion on characters faces. The scene sets in a dark isolated house which creates a horror atmosphere, with a group of people around a dinner table and uses mainly quick close ups of peoples faces showing their emotions. Little dialogue is used in the opening, mainly general chit chat. The scene then cuts to a banging on a door, which cuts quickly to multiple characters faces showing that hey are shocked. Throughout this scene again it uses quick close ups of the lead male character unlocking the door to reveal a terrified boy. We next see a cut of a close up of the boy sat at the dinner table stuffing his face with food, this indicates that the boy is starving. The boy is also covered in dirt, and looks unclean, this indicates that the boy must be living on his own as he doesn't care about his appearance. It then cuts to a female character peeking through a hole in the house, when it suddenly cuts to a zombies eyes looking through the hole and screaming. This creates suspense, and makes the audience jump.
We then get a series of quick cuts of the blonde female getting attacked. The lighting in this scene is very bright and very exposed, which makes us connect with the characters of maybe how long they have been hiding in this dark house. We next see a shot of a zombie biting this females arm, showing us blood which is a common theme in horror movies. The scene quickly cuts to all the other characters running towards her to set her free. The next few shots we see the camera following the characters running away from the scene, the camera uses a shaky effect, so it feels as if we are following these characters. In the background eerie dark music is playing which is non diagetic, this helps build suspense for the scene and is also very common in horror movies.


Supernatural

The scene opens with a shot of a house during night time, and introduces three characters, a mother and her two children, Sam and Dean. We then see the father enter the room, and pick up his son. This is a traditional representation of an American happy family. We then see a close up of the baby, Sam in his baby crib. The next shot cuts to a close up of various items around the room which are moving on it's own. It then cuts too a baby monitor close up, in the background is non diagetic piano playing, which sounds eerie and creates a sense of tension and horror to the scene. We then see the mother, Mary, look into the babies room and we see a dark figure covered in a shadow, this is a traditional representation of a horror villain as we usually do not see the villains face nearer towards the end. We then see Mary walk down the stair case, the lighting in this scene is very dark, not showing much light, which creates more of a horror atmosphere. The camera then pans to where she then notices her husband is sat on the sofa downstairs. The camera then follows her up the stairs until we hear a scream which is common in all horrors, which then cuts to a close up of the father who runs to the bedroom. He then looks over the baby crip when we see a close up of his hand with blood dripping from above. The camera then cuts to the ceiling where his wife is pinned there dying she then gets surrounded by flames. This again is a typical representation as it brings death into the scene which is common all the time in horror openings.


The Ring
 

 The scene opens with a shot of a house at night time with rain falling in the background, this is a traditional representation of a horror opening, as it helps build up a scary atmosphere. It then cross cuts too a two shot of two typical girls watching TV late at night this is a modern represtion of teenage girls. We then see an eyeline match as to what they are watching on TV. It then cuts to the two girls talking and it slowly zooms in to the dark haired girl telling us a scary story of a video tape. It then cuts to a close up of the brown haired girl, and we can see from her facial expressions that she is scared and knows something about this story. It then cuts to the girls laughing as we find out the brown haired girl was joking, this is a modern representation of teenagers as they like to mess around and play jokes on eachother. The phone then rings which shows us a close up of the clock showing that it is 10pm and that it would be ridiculous for someone to ring at that time. Both girls question it looking terrified, then it cuts to the two girls walking down the stairs towards the phone. When the girl picks up the phone we find out her mother is the person on the other side, this is building tension as we think something bad is going to happen from this which is traditional in horror films. Next we hear static coming from a TV, and then we see a close up of the brown haired girls face looking extremely scared. We again see an eyeline match of her looking at the TV remote to turn the TV off. The TV turns itself back on again and we see a mid shot of her looking into the TV screen. When she pulls the plug out of the TV we see a shadowed figure in the reflection which is a traditional representation of a horror figure, as we usually don't see the antagonist at first, they are usually introduced through shadows or figures.

The characteristics of a Horror movie

In my own time I have analysed three openings for horror movies. The film openings I have analysed are The Evil Dead which is a 1981 american horror film. Supernatural which is a supernatural horror TV series and 28 Weeks Later a post apocalyptic zombie horror. 
   The atmosphere in horror films are usually filled with darkness, and use shadows to create an eerie effect, and a scary mood. The camera shots that are used most in horror movies are close ups and extreme close up, to show the emotions on a characters face.
  The sounds used in horrors are mainly effects which create a creepy atmosphere, such as creeky floorboards and doors. The score of a horror film would be gradually build up and keep a steady pace to build suspense and establish tension.
  Horror films are most famous for the explicit graphic scenes caused by humans, monsters, or other supernatural monsters. Horror movies now typically revolve around the theme of torture, revenge and murder.
  The antagonist of a horror movie often revolves around some sort of monster of an evil force, such as Ghosts, Vampires, Werewolfes, Demons and Zombies. They all usually come with some sort of weakness the protagonist can defeat them with at the end of the film.

Preliminary