What is the BBFC responsible for? How is it funded? How does it link to the government?
The BBFC is responsible for grading films with an age certificate that allows people to choose media which is appropriate for them and to avoid potentially harmful media texts. It links to the government through its alliance and enforcement of laws such as the Video recording act. It is a not for profit organisation, funded by charged fees.
Summarise how films are rated by the BBFC
the BBFC have a board of people who watch a film prior to it's release and take account of the density and inclusion of sex, violence, blood etc. to formulate an appropriate and accurate age rating. Local people in power can finalise decisions on distribution however they usually work along the guidelines presented by the bbfc. The BBFC revisits their guidelines every 4 years to adapt and fit into a dynamic system.
Summarise the debate of classifying films
People argue that the BBFC's classification is limiting the artistic freedom of film makers whereas others argue that regulation is necessary for a growing density in media consumption, and by limiting the exposure to inappropriate content it prevents the risk of densistisation. The debate also refers to the limiting and arguably biased take on classifying films, whereas some people applaud the efforts of the bbfc for trying to stay relevant to changing times.
Why did The Dark Knight generate a large amount of media coverage regarding its certificate? Do you agree with the 12A certificate that it was awarded?
It had heavy fantasy violence, the joker's gruesome and horrifyingly realistically disfigured appearance as well as some of the harsh and heavy dialogue called for a higher and more limiting age rating such as a 15. I believe that it should have had a 15 certification due to the content and heavy themes that should call for a more restricted distribution.
What are the guidelines for a 15 certificate?
A 15 movie would include Dangerous behaviour, discrimination, drugs, strong language, nudity, sex including sexual violence or threat, violence, and threat and horror
Explain why Chicken was given a 15 certificate
Chicken was given a 15 certificate due to the extremely strong language, violence and references to sex throughout.
What is the 'cultural test' to see if a film is British?
It incorporates 4 cultural topics and when a film scores 16/31 it is classified as British. The 4 topics are Context, Social Contribution, Location and Crew. [culture, contribution, hubs and practitioners]
Research the below four films, and their score on the British culture test.
I couldn't find their actual culture test scores, these are just educated guesses.
The Sweeney [Dir. Nick Love, 2012] - 18
Attack the Block [Dir. Joe Cornish, 2011] - 27
The King's Speech [Dir. Tom Hooper, 2010] - 29
We Need To Talk About Kevin [Dir. Lynne Ramsay, 2011] - 16
Skyfall [Dir. Sam Mendes, 2012] - 24
What is the main problem for the British film industry?
Many British films are production led rather than distribution led, leading to a loss of profits when it comes to distribution both nationally and globally.
What are three of the strengths of the British film industry?
Well skilled practitioners
Outstanding facilities
Global reputation
What are the two options for the future of the British Film Industry? And Which do you think is better?
The two options are to rely upon co-productions with American studios or to make low budget films targeted at niche audiences, although both of these have benefits, it could be argued that American co-productions could lose the patriotic charm of British movies and their takes on British culture in favour of attractive aspects made for profit. Therefore, i would say that making low budget films with a niche target audience could help continue the established British film expectations as well as capitalising off of distribution opportunities on TV and in local cinemas. These films could have valuable social commentary without having to compromise for the narratives that are less socially relevant but much more profitable.
Write a one sentence definition of what makes a film british
A British film is either made in Britain, has a British cast or carries a significance within British culture.
What is the difference between a Hollywood production context and the production context of a British film?
A hollywood production context usually includes a high budget, heavy reliance on celebrities in both cast and crew and spectacular storylines whereas british movies are more likely character driven, have a more ambiguous budget average and use word of mouth and viral advertising over star power.
When did the James Bond franchise start?
In the 1960s
In terms of film censorship and graphic content, what began to change in British film in the '70s and '80s?
A rise in sexual content, especially the sex comedy genre, as well as violence and sex within films such as A Clockwork Orange (1971, Dir. Stanley Kubrick)
What groups are often represented in British film? Include examples.
Young People (A Clockwork Orange [1971], Attack the block [2011])
Women (Sense and Sensibility [1995], The Favourite [2018])
Different cultures, classes and races (Bend it like Beckham [2002], Slumdog Millionaire [2008])
What does the factsheet suggest might be the audience appeal of British film?
The use of well known British actors, British locations and socially conscious and relevant narratives with relatable undertones allowing them to appeal to a majority of an audience whilst carefully navigating stereotypes and using humour to make social commentary without being melancholic.
This analysis compiles all the aspects of film and tv language with a focus on interesting editing techniques. I decided to write mine on the 1997 science fiction/sport movie 'Space Jam' which included a crossover between the animated and real world, it's post production efforts and overall cult success made it an attractive film for analysis. The below extract is from a scene involving the characters first introduction to Michael Jordan as well as a line admittedly breaking the concept of the movie.
Space Jam [1997] Dir. Joe Pytka, Cinematographer; Michael Chapman, Edited by; Sheldon Kahn.
Space Jam is admittedly one of the most classic films of the family genre, it's doused in the charm of the late 90s and works in perfect synergy of a media comfort zone and advances within the editing industry. This specific scene, involves a crossover from the animated and the live action worlds. This movie, may not have been the first to indulge this concept but is arguably one of the most famous. The use of cartoon characters in conjunction with Michael Jordan, someone with a lot of star power at the time, connotes a revolution in editing, it creates a good storyline but allows nostalgia and the childishness of their target audience to be exploited. The use of straight cuts adds to the fluidity of the scene and the audience almost becomes unaware of the behind the scenes reality of this production; Michael Jordan alone talking to thin air and the dependence on post-production to turn something ridiculous and simple into a complex, realistic final product. The atypical composition of this scenes cinematography is also rather intriguing - the use of close up shots of the juxtaposing the predictably cartoonish reactions of the looney tunes plays on the 'elephant in the room' without disrupting the audiences absorption of the movie. The editing also works with the conventional 90s r&b of the movies soundtrack which makes the slow paced editing and slight speed with character introduction, all that more noticeable. My favourite aspect is the opening with the cartoon 'cast' watching a real world exercise programme on an animated tv, an obvious addition from post production as the setting is 3D however this small touch communicates the blurred line between the animated and real world without being too explicit. Cartoons can enjoy real world content as people enjoy cartoons and it is a humorous scene - it should be unnerving in theory as it is a complete juxtaposition of what the target audience of the late 90s would have known but it's seamless placement allows it to be admired from a more positive perspective. This movie is revolutionary in it's ways, it stands out during the mediated age as CGI was not as prevalent in the late 90s especially for whole movies, post-production had never been so obvious, this made the film risky- it had to incorporate childish tropes and cult characters whilst still appealing to the realism and high tension conventional to sporting movies. The costumes also capture the late 90s with ease due to the sporty style and casually oversized clothing choices of the era, which are slowly making their way back into fashion in recent times, this movie was able to uses the ease of the 90s and the popular icons to use stereotypes in order to communicate quickly and easily and take attention away from the unrealistic tropes. An issue that may arise however is the outdated ideologies concerned with the 90s- use of slurs, high global tension and a mixture of pop culture scandal however Space Jam, seems to avoid these aswpects to create a movie, just under an hour, of pure family fun. The characters, arguably cavalier attitudes towards danger and a few plot holes which should, theoretically act as a deterrent for parents to want their children to absorb these mannerisms if this was a complete realism project but due to the use of cartoons instead of children it has the opposite effect - a movie for movies sake, a conformity for genre whilst subverting the expected and a revolutionary use of cross-universe caricatures to allow, for lack of a better word, an easy watch. Despite this, Space Jam may be at risk from the changing social climate- R. Kelly, one of the features on the movies soundtrack, has been under fire for his sexual crimes that took place in the 90s/00s which could perhaps make watching and supporting this movie rather taboo. The rise of the #MeToo movement has provided an exposure of the unjust, shocking actions of the creative industries particularly film and music. This leaves many films on a grey zone of whether supporting the movie is justified by its nostalgic offerings or tarnished by the actions and beliefs of those involved in the production. Space Jam made way for a new CGI experience in cinema, although seldom revisited, it used cinematography and editing in an extremely unique way (as seen above, the use of close up shots forcing the audience to recognise the difference between skin and sketch) and has a place in the history of family cinema.
