Film Classification

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), originally British Board of Film Censors, is a non-governmental organisation, funded by the film industry and responsible for the national classification of films within the UK. It has a statutory requirement to classify videos, DVD's and some video games under the Video Recordings act 2010

Symbol	Name	Definition/Notes
	Universal	All ages admitted, there is nothing unsuitable for children. Films under this category should not upset children under 4. Example: Ferngully, The Incredibles
	Parental Guidance	All ages admitted, but certain scenes may be unsuitable for children under 8. Example: The Simpsons Movie
	12A	Cinema only. Introduced in 2002. Films under this category are considered to be unsuitable for very young people. Those aged under 12 years are only admitted if accompanied by an adult, aged at least 18 years, at all times during the motion picture. However, it is generally not recommended that children under 12 years should watch the film. Films under this category can contain mature themes, discrimination, soft drugs, commonly used milder swear words, and moderate violence/sex references. Example: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Pirates of the Caribbean, Yes Man
	12	Home media only since 2002. 12A-rated films are usually given a 12 certificate for the VHS/DVD version unless extra material has been added which makes it need a higher rating. Nobody younger than 12 can rent or buy a 12-rated VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD or game.
	15	Only those over 15 years are admitted. Nobody younger than 15 can rent or buy a 15-rated VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD or game, or watch a film in the cinema with this rating. Films under this category can contain adult themes, hard drugs, commonly used swear words, moderate-strong violence/sex references, and mild non-detailed sex activity. Example: Black Christmas
	18	Only adults are admitted. Nobody younger than 18 can rent or buy an 18-rated VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD or game, or watch a film in the cinema with this rating. Films under this category do not have limitation on the bad language that is used. Hard drugs are generally allowed, and strong violence/sex references along with non-detailed sex activity is also allowed. Example: Hostel, Saw III
	Restricted 18	Only adults are admitted, and can only be shown at licensed cinemas or sold at sex shops. This rating does not exist for video games yet. Films under this category has material which the BBFC does not allow for it's "18" rating but is considered acceptable by law. Thus the violence and sex activity will be stronger in R18-rated VHSes, DVDs and films than those which are rated "18". Example: Deep Throat

We decided to give our film a 15 classification. We decided this would be best because it would allow a wider audience than if we were to make it an 18. With a 15 classification it allows us to include mild violence and horror scenes which is what we need to include in our trailer to create the effect we want.

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Media audience theories

  Media audience theories

Hypodermic syringe theory suggests that mass media has a direct, immediate and powerful effect on their audiences. It has a simple effect on audiences in that it ‘injects’ messages into them which the audience is a passive recipient. This usually affects younger audience (for example children under 13) as they are generally more gullible and perceptive to these messages. For example a child may play a video game or watch a film and believe that the things which happen in it are real and can be done. However this theory is largely rejected today.

The cultivation theory is that after being exposed to similar types of messages within the media audiences form views over long time periods. This often leads to stereotyped opinions within society due to repetition of them within the media. For example always watching the same broadcasts  or reading the same newspapers may alter someone’s views  and lead to their opinions being stereotyped due to what they read/watch/hear on a regular basis.

The longer more shocking and violent images are exposed to an audience, the less sensitive they become in real life. This is called Desensitization. An example would be that if someone had watched a great number of war films or played video games based on war/army, then they will be less sensitive that someone who perhaps hasn’t towards real life war scenarios. In general adults are less sensitive than children towards things like violence or sex as they have been exposed to it through media for a longer period of time.

The copycat theory is based on how individuals act after what has been showed on screen or in other media. Audiences or individuals may try to re-enact parts of films or games of be influenced to do things they have seen. The obvious example for this theory is children who play violent video games at a young age (when gullible) are then influenced to do violent things as they believe that it is ok to do so in real life.

The uses and gratifications theory contrasts with other theories and suggest that the public interpreted the media to suit us. Instead of being sitting targets for the world of media our reactions and views influence the media for ways we like. For example the public make spoofs and parodies

Two step flow is where individuals who pay close attention to the mass media and the messages which it gives, they then pass their own interpretations as well as the actual media content.

Trailer research

To get ideas for our trailer we looked at a few other trailers with a similar genre to ours. We analysed them and got ideas such as camera angles, music, pace of the trailer, location and shot order. The trailer which inspired us most was Severance.

This was because it had a similar plot as our idea and the trailer gave us lots of ideas for different camera angles we could use to get the best effect. For example there is a close up shot of someones leg being trapped in a bear trap. We decided that shots like this would be good to show some of the scary/jumpy shots in our trailer as it focuses on what is happening to make sure that the audience are aware of it and react to it. Severance also includes lots of fast pace shots which make the trailer more dramatic and shows the audience lots of  short, snappy shots without giving too much away. We have also decided to set our trailer at a fast, dramatic pace with lots of short clips to hopefully create a similar effect as Severance. Location was another aspect which we had to consider. Severance is set mainly in a forest, we decided ours would be too as the forest provides a mysterious place which gives the audience a sense of being lost.

Some other trailers we looked at included Hills have eyes, Blair witch project, paranormal activity and piranha 3D.

Story Idea

1. 4 teens go to an illegal rave
2. Go to take a short cut down a track
3. Crash into tree in woods
4. Try to find help but get lost in wood
5. Two of them get killed by traps layed out in the woods
6. Find a hut with a light and think they have found help so goes inside
7. Its dark, no ones there and its filled with knifes
8. When they go in the door slams trapping the girl inside
9. Hear screaming as they try to get her out
10. One survives and runs away to safety

Plan for our Trailer

Trailer Plan.

Setting: We have chosen to set our trailer in a wood on a nearby farm. Other possiblities we considered were savenake forest and colling bourne woods however we decided that it would be better to use a private location. Reasons for this are that some of the shots we require were not possible (e.g driving, and some of the props may be inapropriate)

Genre: We decided to choose horror as our genre because our film opening last year was horror and we felt more confinent than with any other genre. Also some of the techniques we used previously can be built on and improved for our trailer

Idea: we got ideas for our trailer from Severance, Blair witch project, jepardy.

Cast: Our cast will include 3 normal looking 17/18 year olds and 1 other to act as the monster/murderer

Story:  The basic outline to our trailer starts off with 4 of teenagers who are late for a party and decide to take a short cut through the woods. Due to the condidtions they crash and 1 of them stays by the car whilst the others look for help. After a while they do not return and the person by the car goes looking for them to discover that they are lost in a forest littered with deadly traps. Our story is about how they struggle to survive whos the mysterious person watching them and setting the traps.

Audience: Our trailer will be aimed at mostly teenagers aged over 15 and mostly males however females may still find it enjoyable.

Music:  We will use garage band to create music for our trailer. Using ideas from other films we have looked at we need to try and make something which creatres suspense and makes people jump.

Props: we will use our friends car, a shed, chainsaw, axe and other various weapons/traps which we havnt decided yet.

Trailers

Purpose of a trailer.

Trailers are used to give an insight to what a new film will be like. This helps attract an audience so when the film is released there will be people wanting to see it. They also help to promote the film and are often uploaded onto sites like Youtube, facebook etc to make it viewable to as larger audience as possible. The trailer will also reveal some of the main actors. This will help attract people who may not be intrested in the film itself but, however are fans of the actors/actresses and would want to see the film for that reason. Obviously trailers are designed to make the film look as good and as appealing as possible to attract as many people as possible. the trailer will also show any unique selling points (USP) for example 3D, famous actor or special effects.

Conventions of a trailer

Trailers will include release dates so that people know when they are able to see the film. also actors so that people know who is going to be in it and this may also influence their decission to see it or not if it has an actor they like. Clips of the plot and some narrative are usually given to give the audience an indication as to what the film is about and the general story behind it. Music is also used to give the trailer pace and more feel to it, this could also attract certain people. Throughout or at the end of a trailer credits are usually shown to inform the audience who was behind the making of the film.

Piranha 3D trailor analysis

Piranha 3D is a horror about an ancient species of killer piranha which come make and cause terror. The trailor informs us that they emerge from an earthquake deep at see and find their way into a recreational lake where they cause terror at a party. The films USP is that it is filmed in 3D and the trailor also gives an insight as to who the targed audience is. It shows violent shots of people being eaten by piranhas and also shots of young attractive girls at a party by the lake. This gives the idea that the film will appeal more to 18-26 year old males. The music starts calm and gradualy gets faster and more dramatic with the shots. The general pace of the trailer begins slow and increases as in gets more dramatic and action packed with short, snappy clips.