P4 Focus Group Screening & Feedback

Meaning and Purpose

The BBFC was created by the film industry in 1912. It wanted to make sure that all of its films, were checked on behalf of the whole country. After video was released in 1984, the government passed the Video Recordings Act 1984, this placed the BBFC in charge of classifying all videos for home use. The law wanted to ensure that film works were classified for the appropriate audiences, so to ensure that they were not harmful to people and in particular young children. This means that before a film is released they must be reviewed by the BBFC, examiners will then look for content such as violence, drug abuse, discrimination etc and determine what certificate is suitable for the film based upon the quantity and detail of those factors.

Focus Group Screening

Focus group screenings are formal test screenings of a film with very detailed documentation of audience responses. Target audience members answer survey questionnaires and are sometimes interviewed on video, in this case we decided to hold a group discussion after the film with 6 viewers and captured their reaction based on the productions quality e.g cinematography, audio etc..

Focus Group Certification Feedback:

Summary of Discussion:

We also consulted a focus group that spoke to us about what age certificate they felt the film should be awarded based on the films content, theme, genre. This conversation was primarily based around the threatening and violent behaviour seen in the film and went into detail with regards to these factors, as they would have the most impact on how the film would be judged by the BBFC.

The members of this focus group concluded that due to the theme and genre/overall nature of the film it would be unsuitable for younger audiences under the age of 12. They justified this decision by saying that certain scenes implied death and some even showed dead characters, which would be scary for children, they also felt that throughout the film there was a intense feeling that had a psychological impact on the audience.

Survey:

In order to collect a broad spectrum of results that cover all target audiences in terms of gender and age group I have sent out an online google forms survey and distributed it via email, this system will collect my results and present them via detailed graphs that I can use to analyse my feedback. I have this survey around the classification system used by the BBFC to determine what rating this film would receive based on audience opinion.

BBFC Guidelines

The BBFC examines and age rates films and videos before they are released. This independent scrutiny prior to release ensures the highest possible level of protection for young people.

Before release the BBFC has examiners watch the films and videos all the way through and provide an age rating for the title. They reach an age rating by applying the standards and criteria that are defined in their Classification Guidelines. This criteria is rates films based on the following factors:

Context
Theme
Tone and Impact
Drugs
Discrimination
Easily Imitable behaviour
Language
Sex
Threat

Once an examiner has watched the movie there are 7 types of age ratings that the film can be awarded these are U, PG, 12, 12A, 15, 18 and 18R all of which are explained below:


U Universal – Suitable for all 

A U film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over, although it is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child. U films should be set within a positive framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror.


PG Parental Guidance – General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children

A PG film should not unsettle a child aged around eight or older. Unaccompanied children of any age may watch, but parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger, or more sensitive, children.

Threat: Frightening sequences or situations where characters are in danger should not be prolonged or intense. Fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor.

Violence: Violence will usually be mild. However there may be moderate violence, without detail, if justified by its context (for example, history, comedy or fantasy)

Films classified 12A and video works classified 12 contain material that is not generally suitable for children aged under 12.

No one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. Adults planning to take a child under 12 to view a 12A film should consider whether the film is suitable for that child.

Threat: There may be moderate physical and psychological threat and horror sequences. Although some scenes may be disturbing, the overall tone should not be. Horror sequences should not be frequent or sustained.

Violence: There may be moderate violence but it should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated, and its depiction must be justified by context.


15 – Suitable only for 15 years and over 

No one younger than 15 may see a 15 film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a 15 rated video work.

Threat: There may be strong threat and horror. A sustained focus on sadistic or sexual threat is unlikely to be acceptable. 

Violence: Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but the depiction of sexual violence must be discreet and justified by context.

18 – Suitable only for adults 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 work. Adults should be free to choose their own entertainment.