Legal restraints

Copyright
Copyright law in the UK involves items such as Scripts, Art work, Songs, Sound recordings, Film and Broadcasts. The length of the copyright usually lasts the entire life of the creator plus 70 years and there are different levels of copyright which have different levels of protection. Copyright is in place to prevent a person from financially gaining from the exhibition and distribution of another person’s work without their formal consent.

Video recordings Act 1984
The video recording act 1984 was introduced in order to control the classification in which films are given an age certificate. This also restricts who can actually watch and purchase a film commercially.

The age ratings are regulated by The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) and they assign age ratings to video.

The categories of classification are as follows:

• 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 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.”

• PG - parental guidance general viewing.

“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.”

• 12/12 A -
  

“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.”

• 15 - suitable only for persons of 15 years and older. Not to be supplied to any person below that age.

"15 can include:

• strong violence 
• frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***'). 
• portrayals of sexual activity 
• strong verbal references to sex 
• sexual nudity 
• brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence 
• discriminatory language or behaviour 
• drug taking"

• 18 - suitable only for persons of 18 years and older. Not to be supplied to any person below that age.

"Can include:

• very strong violence 
• frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***') and / or very strong language (e.g. ‘c***’) 
• strong portrayals of sexual activity 
• scenes of sexual violence 
• strong horror"
• strong blood and gore  
• real sex (in some circumstances) 
• discriminatory language and behaviour "

R18- to be supplied only in licensed sex shops to persons of not less than 18 years.




My group have decided that we plan to make the film rated 15 because it includes some violent scenes which may be disturbing for younger viewers. However, our trailer is going to be rated 12 as we want it to get more recognition and be available to a larger audience. The trailer will still include some violence and potentially strong language, however by monitoring the amount of action is put into the trailer it will still be suitable for younger viewers. This will mean it can be shown in cinemas which are showing 12 films and this may gain more of an audience base for when the film is released.