Rating of films
There is a long process in which a film has to go through to get a rating. This process includes watching films and videos all the way. They reach an age rating by applying criteria contained in the Classification Guidelines. Usually, two examiners view a film for theatrical release. A Senior Examiner will confirm the examiners’ recommendation. Sometime if the Examiners are in any doubt or fail to agree, or if important policy issues are involved, the work may be look at by other members of the Board sometimes even up to, and including, the Director and Presidential team. Sometimes they need to take specialist advice about the legal acceptability of film content or its potential for harm.
There are many different ratings for films in Britain including, U, PG, 12, 12A, 15, 18, 18A. The guidelines of a 12, mean that it can influence your storyline. For example, for a horror film with a rating of a 12, can contain moderate physical and psychological and ‘’as long as horror sequences are not too frequent or sustained and the overall tone is not disturbing’’. You cannot include any emphasise on wounds or blood, but occasional gruesome moments may be permitted if they can be justified by their context. Weapons such as knives, should not be glamorized and made appealing, yet fighting and mild violence is permitted, and you are allowed a long fighting sequence occasionally. Sexual violence (e.g rape or assault), can be shown discreetly and briefly, however sexual scenes must have ‘’strong contextual justification’’.
The guidelines for horror films are very strict. Especially in certain aspects such as sadistic or sexual violence, and scenes which may make sexual violence look appealing or acceptable. They’re also strict on sequences/scenes which may be degrading or feature excessive torture or strong abuse. These scenes will therefore have a much higher rating. Other factors of horror films that will result in a higher rating are, ‘the portrayal of violence as a solution to normal situations’, ‘heroes who inflict pain’, and the ‘glorification of violence’, as well as many others. I believe these guidelines are appropriate for the genre. Horror can easily be ‘overdone’ and made more dramatic and unrealistic than what is needed. Therefore by having these guidelines, it