Watersheds and Film Ratings What you can see What you can’t see When you can see it

Watershed Television has a way of censoring what you can show and what you can say The watershed is the time when what you can show and say changes There used to be one watershed, now there are more Different sides have different watershed standards

Main Channels (Terrestrial) BBC1 BBC2 ITV Channel 4 Five

BBC BBC 1 has a watershed at six, nine and ten BBC 2 has a watershed at nine and ten BBC 1 has a far stronger watershed criteria than BBC 2 (see Little Britain) BBC 1 has more viewers so it is a bit more cautious as to what it shows – Jerry Springer The Musical was shown on BBC 2, it would never have been on BBC 1.

Commercial Terrestrial The same in general goes for ITV and Channel 4 Channel 4 generally gets to show more at an earlier time This is changing a bit – Dexter is on ITV… but it is on well after 10 o’clock Five works like a cross between the two

Satellite and Cable Works the same (albeit with different times) Except… …pay per view or subscription channels often do not have watersheds because the fee is used to limit the viewer (in theory)

Film Ratings & Censorship In the US: MPAA In the UK: BBFC Elsewhere: different countries have boards that cut or rate films and they all have different criteria What is acceptable in one country may not be in another

MPAA G - General Audiences All ages admitted PG - Parental Guidance Suggested Some material may not be suitable for children PG-13 - Parents Strongly Cautioned Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. R - Restricted Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. NC-17 - No One 17 And Under Admitted.

BBFC They decide what you can see in the cinema and on DVD A film in the UK has to have a certificate to be legally shown in a cinema or sold in a shop

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.

PG 'PG' Parental Guidance - 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 & 12A 12A – Suitable for 12 years and over. No- one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. No-one younger than 12 may rent or buy a ‘12’ rated video or DVD. Responsibility for allowing under-12s to view lies with the accompanying or supervising adult.

15 '15' – Suitable only for 15 years and over No-one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video or DVD.

18 '18' – Suitable only for adults No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video.

R-18 We don’t talk about this one!

Rejected Forget it! Very rare (as companies who release films know what will be rejected so don’t bother)

How does this affect your script? It can change how strong language is used in your script Scenes of sex and violence need to be considered against the rating It can alter the budget of your film and therefore what you can write

Money & Ratings 15 and 18 rated films earn less money so can have lower budgets But for low budget films the notoriety offered by a higher rating can help 12A films and below have a wider audience In the US the lower the rating the wider the market

What Do The BBFC HAVE To Cut? There are only two laws that directly affect what the BBFC can and cannot allow us to see The Obscene Publications Act… …is not one of them! Technically the OPA can be used to prosecute legitimately purchased items So. What two laws?

The Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937 It is illegal to show any scene ‘organised or directed’ for the purposes of the film to involve actual cruelty to animals.

The Protection of Children Act 1978 It is illegal to show indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child (under the age of 18).