Target Audience and BBFC Classification

BBFC Rating

To find the appropriate rating for my film i needed to complete some research on how the BBFC ( British Board of Film Classification) rates productions.

Suitable for an audience of four and above, set with a positive nature and should counterbalance violent, threatening or horrific issues.

Suitable for pre school children and tend not to address the main nine issues.



PG (Parental Guidance), viewing of this certificate may be unsuitable for unaccompanied children. This rating shouldn't disturb and audience of around eight or older.

Suitable for children 12 and over, needing to be accompanied by an adult. Which replaced the normal 12 certificate in 2002.

12 certificates , are specific for an audience of 12 and over.

15 certificates are specific for an audience below 15. And no one below 15 is able to view on buy any of this material.

18 is a rating which is strictly for adults only as it contains some form or explicit of the nine major categories.

R18 is classed for adults only and can only be sold at adult shop or viewed at a licenced cinema.

From research i found that there are nine major aspects which the BBFC takes into account when classifying a film.
These being as followed.....

• theme
• language
• nudity
• sex
• violence
• sexual violence
• criminal or harmful actions
• horror
• drugs

From undertaking this primary research I have decided to classify my short film concept as a 12 certificate. Due to the mild sexuality themes that may be unsuitable for children under this age, slightly mild nudity, criminal or harmful actions and violence. This has been selected as a 12, as these references are mild and do not occur frequently throughout the production. If this film had not been part of the coursework it would most likely be turned up to a 15 as this is more of a dubbed down version, plus having such a high rating will restrict my target audience, therefore certain individuals wanting to see my production will not.

Target Audience

In terms of genre my film doesn't classify into a certain category, instead its a hybrid in the form of a spoof/thriller. I think this plays to my advantage as its not anchored to a certain group instead it spreads out.

Age Range for this A2 production text is based around a youth audience. Which spans from 15 years of age to 34. This is reflected by the ages of the characters in the production, this being mid to late teens. Also the narrative can appeal to a vast audience , as I'am sure that a vast majority of people have thought that they are in the right, yet actually are completely are in the wrong. Also the costume used appeals to this audience as superheroes tend to have a very broad appeal but this will be referenced to a later date.

To appeal to a vast audience I have used sound as another method to accomplish this. Choosing a vast range of genres so that a wide spread appeal can be created having tracks incorporating drum and bass, grime, hip-hop and trance. All of these being used to a mixture of desired feelings and emotions. Along side having an upbeat tempo, allows the pace of the film to be set.

I have put many strenuous hours into the editing process to ensure I have produced something remotely original. Using fast paced editing so that the youth audience don't become bored which would they would do if I used slow paced editing. Effects that I have chosen provide visual stimulation so that the audience are constantly entertained. A combination of both these techniques will make the audience want to watch the short film in its entirety.

The casting of the movie is built up predominately of Caucasian characters. However the film will still have multi ethnic audience appeal. Yet the media does not specifically narrow towards a Caucasian audience, due to the issues tackled in the film it will still have a vast audience appeal due to its hybrid genre of being both a spoof and a thriller. As both genders enjoy a film that makes you laugh and can't help but feel in suspense and confused over a thriller.

Also if film watchers are interested in the actual narrative of the film they wont find it offensive if there is a lack in ethnic groups, and this is backed up as many main stream productions opt to sideline non-Caucasian actors and this hasn't caused them to commercially suffer.

A male character is used as the central protagonist, however you never get too see his face, therefore it can not create a form of appeal, however you do see his body to an extent which will create appeal to a female and pink pound audience. The overall cast is a mix of male and female, yet the protagonist is the focal point. However with him being a male it doesn't mean that he is powerful and strong, instead its the opposite using counter types to include some originality .

A brunette female is used to avoid the blonde busty stereotype, so in essence what I'am trying to achieve is that the audience hone in on the narrative rather than the aesthetics of the cast. Which also helps to signify originality as I'am trying to move away from the expectations created by modern day film.

In my personal opinion, I do not produce a piece of media text that only people from a certain background or class will appreciate. As I find it to be excluding and appear isolating. Instead I create films for those who appreciate my work and ideas. All because my work is not shot in a mansion doesn't mean it won't appeal to those in the upper class. Therefore I aim to have widespread appeal ranging from AB right down to DE (upper/middle class to lower middle class).

To retain hegonomic status, my film is set in Britain, which is more due to the fact that I'am working to my own budget, thus I have no funding if I wanted a foreign location.
Seen as I'am from England and based in the north  the characters use their own accents, which may help to anchor the setting. This accent though is not one associated with England, therefore if given another opportunity and larger budget I would have more professional casting, to get actors with a southern accent that appears stereotypical. So if my short film were to be expanded or distributed globally, a vast audience would be able to recognise immediately that it was set in the UK.

Fans which this film would tend to attract would be fans of spoofs, thriller and comic book themes. In terms of comic books, it will draw in fans of the Spiderman franchise which has large spread appeal, but to make people more aware of my film I would need to have several advertising methods, in the form of posters, trailers etc. Whether this be using new media eg internet distribution from You tube and social networking sites such as Facebook and Myspace. or television advertisements. Or the use of old media such as posters either on buses or walls.
To draw in further appeal if the film were to be credited I would mention any awards wins or nominations and if any of the cast or myself became famous, this could also be used as a pull factor.