Certificate Research

Horror Films

 Psycho – 15

      Rosemary’s Baby – 18

      Halloween – 18

      Frankenstein – PG

      Scream – 18

      Paranormal Activity – 15 

      Orphan – 15

      The Shining – 15

      Ghost Ship – 18

      Nightmare on Elm Street – 18


      The website www.bbfc.co.uk has given us the detail in what contents is allowed for each certificate. As shown above, 18 was the most popular therefore we researched what can be included in an 18 certificated film.


      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
  
     In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC’s public consultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, at ‘18’ the BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally override the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:

-where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence

 -where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault

     - where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by           context. Such images may be appropriate in ‘R18’ works, and in ‘sex works’ (see below) would normally be confined to that category.

      In the case of video works (including video games), which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent than for cinema films. 
       
        Psycho Ratings - 

This table of ratings gives us an idea to what target audience's certain films achieve. As you can see in Psycho the group who gave the film the highest rating is females under 18, however there is little difference between females under 18 and males under 18.  The average score given to the film was 8.7 therefore the film received a good reception by all groups, so this film had a wider target audience.