What is the BBFC and what must i do to fit into the correct classifications for my film?

The BBFC guidlines to films help prevent people of a certain age group from watching the film, this means that not anyone can watch any type of film. The BBFC has classifications to certain films, these classifications are ; U, PG, 12A, 12, 15, 18, 18R

• U - This means that anyone can watch this film of any age from a new born to the oldest living person. These films mean that they contain hints of sexual activity, like riding off into the sunset. They contain no violence or swearing because a little child could be watching this, These films are usually fairy tale stories.
• PG - This means Parental guidance, this means that for a person under the age of 12 they must have a person over the age of 18 with them to watch this film. The reason there is PG is because the films contain more violence, sexual references and swearing in the film then a U rated film.
• 12A - This means that this film has more sexual references, swearing and violence then the average 12 but not enough to become a 15 rated film, the "A" shows the viewer that this film is near the same context as a 15 film.
• 12 - This means that anyone who is above the age of 12 can watch this film. These films contain maybe a kiss and a hint of the act of sex. They may contain some blood and swearing but still not enough to become a 15.
• 15 - This means anyone who is above 15 can watch this film, these films would usually contain all the aspects which a 18 film would have but there would be no heavy swearing or too much gore for the viewer to feel un-comforatable watching, but non the less the film would still contain these aspects which make up the 18.
• 18 - This means that anyone who is above 18 can watch this film, these usually contain films with heavy referances to ; Sex, swearing, violence and gore. The BBFC would classify this film as an 18 because they would believe that someone who is under 18 would not "handle" the film.
• 18R - This means an 18 film but is "R" rated, this means that this film is based around sex, unlike the 18 classification the film relies heavily on sex and that is the main genre for the film. The rating of the "R" shows the viewer that the film relies on sex and is still an 18.

By researching about film guidlines this has given me the knowledge about the ratings of films. This has given me guidlines to my film and that how picking the rating of my film will decide my target audience. This is key to picking the right audience for my film, this has also helped my develop my knowledge in how much gore and sexual referances i can put in my film to fit the right age categories.
       I think my action thriller film will be a 18 because i have not seen any action thrillers that are below the age rating of 15. I  think the reason for choosing the 18 classiffication is because this means i can put as much gore and swearing in my film as much as i want. Many good films are 18's because there are no guidlines for the directors to stick to.

By doing this i have learnt about the BBFC and that every film has to be classified so that the wrong audience does not watch the film that might be out of there age limit and i have also learnt that with differant age groups that there are certain things in the flim that you have to incluse in order to get into that age group.

Brtish board of Film Classification