Winter 2014 B2. How is your chosen industry regulated Winter 2014 B2. How is your chosen industry regulated? Refer to your three main texts. [30]

Introduction Explain that the BBFC is responsible for the regulation of film in the UK. Explain what the BBFC is: In order to protect children from unsuitable and even harmful content in films and videos and to give consumers information they might need about a particular film or video before deciding whether or not to view it, the BBFC examines and age rates films and videos before they are released.  The BBFC describes its role as being a combination of ‘protection and empowerment’. Explain what this means.

How the BBFC works We watch films and videos all the way through and award an age rating and BBFCinsight to each one. We reach an age rating by applying the standards and criteria contained in our Classification Guidelines which can be downloaded below. Explain what the BBFCinsight is? http://www.bbfc.co.uk/what-classification/what-bbfc-insight Typically, two examiners view a film for theatrical release. In most cases a Senior Examiner will confirm the examiners’ recommendation. But if the Examiners are in any doubt or fail to agree, or if important policy issues are involved, the work may be seen by other members of the Board up to, and including, the Chief Executive and Presidential team. Occasionally we need to take specialist advice about the legal acceptability of film content or its potential for harm. The same process exists for DVDs and Blu-rays though generally these are seen by one Examiner. However, opinions from other Examiners may be required for more difficult works. We look at issues such as discrimination, drugs, horror, dangerous and easily imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex, and violence when making decisions. The theme of the work is also an important consideration. We also consider context, the tone and likely impact of a work on the potential audience. The release format of a work has an impact on classification. Our decisions on the age rating of DVDs and Blu-rays can occasionally be stricter than at the cinema because there is a higher risk of underage viewing in the home and a greater potential for watching scenes out of context.

How decisions are arrived at At this point in your essay, you need to make detailed reference to your case studies.

Refer to similar system in USA Motion Picture Asssocation of America (MPAA) The Classification and Rating Administration (“CARA”) issues ratings for motion pictures exhibited and distributed commercially to the public in the United States, with the intent to provide parents information concerning the content of those motion pictures, to aid them in determining the suitability of individual motion pictures for viewing by their children. CARA will rate any motion picture at any time before or after it is exhibited or distributed in the United States.

MPAA TPBTP: Rated R for language throughout, some violence, teen drug and alcohol use, and a sexual reference Submarine: Rated R for language and some sexual content Mad Max: Fury Road: Rated R for intense sequences of violence throughout, and for disturbing images R = Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult.

Conclusion: Why does it matter? Protection and Empowerment. Decisions will impact significantly on the marketability of the film. Production companies may re-edit a film to secure a particular rating.