‘Behind the scenes at the BBFC’

1. ‘Behind the scenes at the BBFC’ AS/A Level Film Studies Conference University of Hull 6th February 2008 Ian Mashiah – Film, Video and Video Games Examiner

2. Today’s Presentation • Who we are • What we do • Why we do it • How we do it • How you can find out more • It’s showtime… • Any questions?

3. Just a reminder… Suitable for 15 years+ Universal. Suitable for all Suitable for 12 years+. No one younger than 12 can see a 12A film unless accompanied by an adult Suitable for Adults only Parental Guidance. General Viewing but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children

4. What is the BBFC? • Designated body for the regulation of film and video • Established 1912 • Independent, non-governmental body funded through charged fees • Classifies Films on behalf of Local Authorities – the Cinemas Act, 1985 • Classifies Videos, DVDs and some Digital Games under the Video Recordings Act, 1984

5. Some Facts • In 2007, the BBFC classified: • 574 films • 222 of these were passed 15 • 11778 Videos & DVDs • 4938 of these were passed U or PG • 258 Digital Games • 151 of these were passed 15 or 18 • 2187 Trailers and Ads • 1103 of these were for cinema release • In 2007, the BBFC rejected only TWO works

6. This was then… 1916 1. Indecorous, ambiguous and irreverent titles and subtitles2. Cruelty to animals 3. The irreverent treatment of sacred subjects 4. Drunken scenes carried to T.P. O’Connor’s ‘Forty-Three Grounds for Deletion’ ‘Unnecessary exhibition of under-clothing’ ‘Men and women in bed together’ ‘Excessively passionate love scenes’ ‘Cruelty to animals’ ‘Materialization of the conventional figure of Christ’ ‘The modus operandi of criminals’ ‘The exhibition of profuse bleeding’ ‘The drug habit. e.g. opium, morphia, cocaine, etc’ ‘Scenes tending to disparage public characters and institutions’

7. Overriding Principles now Censorship through classification Works should be allowed to reach the widest audience that is appropriate for their theme and treatment The context in which something (eg sex and violence) is presented is central to the question of its acceptability Decisions are based on published and regularly updated guidelines – based on public consultation Adults should be free to pick their own entertainment within the law

8. Legislation The Licensing Act, 2003: • Cinemas require a licence • The BBFC classifies on behalf of Local Authoritiesbut they can: • ignore BBFC certificates • grant their own certificates • effectively ‘ban’ Films

9. The Video Recordings Act, 1984 • ‘Video Nasties’ – the moral panic • Criminal Justice & Public Order Act, 1994 • the ‘Harm’ test • Digital Media

10. Other Legislation… • The Obscene Publications Act, 1959 & 1964 • Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act, 1937 • Protection of Children Act, 1978 • Race Relations Act, 1976 • Human Rights Act, 1998 • Blasphemous Libel

11. Accountability • Guidelines: February 2005 • Public Consultation • Citizens Juries • Research • Questionnaires • Research Projects

12. 31 Full-Time/Part-Time Examiners 8 Specialist Video Games Examiners Cantonese/South Asian Language Examiners Various backgrounds 4 Senior Examiners 4 Teams The Examiners THE CLASSIFICATION PROCESS

13. Examining Examiner Duties • Viewing • Examiners’ Meeting • Team Projects • Networking • Correspondence

14. The Examining Process • Viewing in pairs (with exceptions) • Over 5.5 Hours per day • Random • Examiner’s Log • Post viewing discussion linked to: • Guidelines • Policy • Legal Restrictions • Decision Agreed upon… • Consumer Advice written • Reports Filed • Reports Checked

15. Examining: Issues • Violence • Language • Sex • Sexual References • Sexual Violence • Drugs • Criminal Activity • Weapons • Imitable Techniques • Horror • Theme

16. Other Considerations • the work – its story, style, treatment • the audience – address and appeal • the moral framework • artistic or educational merit • potential level of offensiveness • precedent • possible harm • context

17. Other Outcomes • Split Decision • Confirmatory Viewing • Cuts- legal reasons- policy- ‘category cuts’ • Rejection

18. Cuts: Examples • Imitable Techniques: violent, criminal, harmful • Glamorisation of Offensive Weapons • Sexual Violence: eroticised rape or sexual assault • Illegal Material • Instruction in Drug Use

19. Most works fit into one category… Suitable for 15 years+ Universal. Suitable for all Suitable for 12 years+. No one younger than 12 can see a 12A film unless accompanied by an adult Suitable for Adults only Parental Guidance. General Viewing but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children

20. But some works are borderline • A borderline work is one for which there are strong arguments for two categories, or one category and cuts • BBFC Guidelines state: “Occasionally a work lies on the margin between two categories. In applying the criteria in these Guidelines in such a case, the BBFC takes into account the intentions of the film-maker, the expectations of the public in general and the work’s audience in particular, and any special merits of the work”

21. Education www.sbbfc.co.uk Launched May 2005 www.cbbfc.co.uk Launched June 2003

22. sbbfc: Who’s it for? • Media & Film Studies Students and Teachers (GCSE, AS/A and beyond) • ‘Informational’ • Further Expansion: Teacher/Student Consultation

23. sbbfc: the Student Guide • History, Legislation, Classification • Resources • Timelines • Case Studies • Research • Articles • Downloads • News • Reading List • Web Links

24. sbbfc: for Teachers • Seminars • External Presentations • Downloads • BBFC posters • Feedback

25. Education You Call the Shots. www.parentsbbfc.co.uk

26. Clips

27. Questions

28. Thank You… www.sbbfc.co.uk