Alter-Ego Thriller Opening Titles

BBFC

BBFC stands for British Board of Film Classification, or as it used to be known British Board of Film Censors. They are responsible for the censorship and classification of films in the United Kingdom. 

This censorship is so that people of a certain age, such as children do not watch films that are unsuitable for them and which they may find upsetting or disturbing in some way. To decide on the decision of which age rating a film should be given, two people who work for BBFC called examiners will watch a film and take into consideration the different content within the film, for example drugs, horror, language used, nudity, sexual references and violence. Based on this content, the film can the be certificated a certain age range: 

U stands for Universal which means that it should be suitable for almost everyone, however  they may not be suitable for children under the age of four. A film which is rated U contains occasional mild bad language e.g "Damn!." It does not allow any sexual behavior, however "kissing and cuddling" is allowed. If there is violence at all in a film, it will be very mild. In a U film there will be no reference to drugs which are illegal unless however it is for educational purposes.

PG stands for Parental Guidance. Films with this certificate should general suit all children, however similarly to Universal, aged 8 and above is the suggested age. Mild bad language can be used but it  may depend on how it is delivered by the actor (if it's aggressive or not.) If bad language is used frequently in the film then it may be considered for a higher rating. Sexual references may be allowed in a PG film if they are not very detailed and not used often in the film. The violence in a PG film would be similarly again to Universal mild, however blood may be allowed as long as it is not very graphic. There should not be a direct focus on illegal drugs in a PG film unless it is educational and will be able to be understood by a younger audience. 

12A means that a child is required to have an adult with them if they go to the cinema to watch the film which has this classification as is under the age of 12. 12 is a less complicated 12A which is put on DVD's and is easier for people in shops to understand. Strong language can be passed for a 12A/12 film depending on the way it is said and who in the film says it. The may be sexual references and nudity in a 12A/12 film but it has to be brief. There should be "moderate" violence in the film but should not be in lots of detail. There may be some drug use in a 12A/12 but it should not instruct someone how to do/use drugs or be portrayed as "glamorous."

15 films are designed for people ages 15 and over. No one under the age of 15 should go and watch a film of this classification at the cinema. There can be strong language used frequently in 15 films however it again depends on how it is portrayed by the actor and therefor could be classified a higher.Sexual references, activity  and nudity can be in an 15 film as long as it does no go into detail. In a 15 film the violence can be strong, as long as there is not much detail on pain or injury. "Gory images" and "strong sadistic violence" would most probably not be accepted. Drug taking can be included in a film rated 15 however it should not encourage drug use.

Films rated 18 are designed to be for adults and not for children. No one under the age of 18 will be allowed to watch a film classified as an 18 at the cinema. Strong language can be used throughout without and limit and how often it can be used.Sexual referenced and nudity can be in detail, and strong violence can also be used. Drug use can be used however it still cannot promote drug misuse. 

For our thriller I would give it a age rating of 15. There is no bad language used, violence or sexual references however there is blood used frequently and I think the topic and story line would be hard for someone younger than this age to understand and follow.