Film Industry: Final index

1) British Film Industry factsheets #132 & #100

2) Blinded By The Light case study research


3) Regulation - BBFC research and tasks

BBFC: Film Regulation

Factsheet #132: British Film

Use our brilliant Media Factsheet archive on the M: drive Media Shared (M:\Resources\A Level\Media Factsheets) to find Media Factsheet #132 on British Film. You can find it online here - you'll need to log in using your Greenford Google login. Read the whole of Factsheet and answer the following questions:

1) Write a one-sentence definition of what makes a film British.

the people making the film are British or that it is funded by the British. Also the film’s subject is about Britain or British culture.



2) What is the difference between a Hollywood production context and the production context of a British film?

Hollywood studios have tall budgets, an overwhelming dependence on celebrities both within the cast and team and display-driven stories. Whereas what might be considered to be repeating characteristics of the British film generation setting are that movies made inside the British generation setting will in a few ways reflect British culture, movies such as The King's Discourse (Energy Pictures, 2010) and Child of Rambow (Optimum Releasing, 2007) have shifting degrees of inclusion from Hollywood or other exterior organizations be that as it may they are both inherently British in their subject matter.

3) When did the James Bond franchise start?

The 1960s is when the James Bond franchise started.



4) In terms of film censorship and graphic content, what began to change in British film in the 1970s and 1980s?

5) What groups are often represented in British film? Give examples of films these groups feature in.

The 1970s saw an ascent in English Movies of sexual substance, both the demonstration of endlessly sex connected to brutality. The 1980s saw the ascent of recordings and the 'video awful's alarm where filmmaking was turning out to be more open and more outrageous substance was being made and tracking down its direction to England. Thus a consistent development of film restriction and order in this nation has occurred since the 1980s that sees all movies delivered in the UK to have one of 7 (conceivably 8 albeit the R18 declaration is seldom utilised) groupings granted to it. The BBFC over the most recent couple of many years has attempted to connect more with English crowds, making its rules available to all as well as drawing in with the public while checking on these rules.



6) What does the Factsheet suggest might be the audience appeal of British film?

This is the first step towards targeting and appealing to a British audience as with any film made by a country for its own populace. The main characteristics that can be identified as appealing to a native British audience would include; the actors, British actors tend to be clearly identifiable as British and will often be associated with a particular genre of British film, for example, Hugh Grant has an association with British romantic comedies.

Factsheet #100: British film industry




To complete our introduction to the British film industry, we need a little more background to the industry's context.




Find Media Factsheet #100 on the British film industry. You can find it on the same link as above. Read the whole of the Factsheet and answer the following questions:




1) What is the 'cultural test' to see if a film counts as British?




2) Complete the task on the Factsheet - choose three of the films listed and research them to work out what they score on the cultural test: The Sweeney (2012), Attack The Block, The King's Speech, We Need To Talk About Kevin and Skyfall.

We need to talk about Kevin - 10
The kings speech - 27
Attack the block - 27



3) What is the main problem for the British film industry?

Historically, the British film industry has been production-led rather than distribution-led. This means that many UK films are made but, to get the film exhibited, the filmmakers have to sacrifice the distribution rights by selling the film to a distribution company.



4) What are three of the strengths of the British film industry?

outstanding creative skills of practitioners
and outstanding facilities
several important film studios are British, such as Ealing Studios and Pinewood Studios.



5) What are the two options for the future of the British film industry?

British filmmakers could choose to rely upon co-productions with American studios to keep the industry afloat.
The UK film industry’s second option is to attempt to make low-budget films targeted at a niche,



6) In your opinion, which of these two options would best safeguard the future of the British film industry?

In my opinion, depending upon co-productions with American studios is the more secure choice because it ensures financing and conveyance, in any case, a massive downside to doing this typically that most of what makes a film 'British' can be misplaced as the American company included wouldn't favour of the choices and would take off the film feeling more like an American film than a British one. Making moo budget movies for a niche audience is the way better alternative in case they need to hold the feel of a British film as in spite of the fact that it is risky it decreases the impact from other nations.

BBFC Regulation

 Regulation BBFC

1) Research the BBFC in more detail: what is the institution responsible for? How is it funded? What link does it have to government? This history of the BBFC page may help.

The BBFC has been responsible for classifying films since 1912, video tapes and discs since 1985, and more recently, online content. They help people in the UK choose age-appropriate films, videos, and websites. They regularly ask people all over the country for their opinions on what's suitable for families and children of all ages.

Local councils still have the final say on films, even though the BBFC makes the initial decisions. They can approve films that the BBFC rejected, ban films that the BBFC approved, and even change the age ratings for films shown in their area. However, most local authorities have trusted the BBFC's decisions since the 1920s. The BBFC is funded by fees from film distributors, like advertising and certification.

2) Read this BBFC guide to how films are rated. Summarise the process in 50 words.

The BBFC's classification decisions are made by the Chief Executive, the President, and the two Vice-Presidents who ultimately take responsibility. They typically watch DVDs individually, which is known as 'solo viewing'. Movies intended for theaters are classified by pairs of people. Teams are assigned to view controversial or extreme content in order to gather a variety of opinions. 

3) Read this BBFC section on landmark decisions. Why did The Dark Knight generate a large amount of media coverage regarding its certificate? Do you agree with the 12A certificate The Dark Knight was awarded?

The 12A rating caused a lot of attention in the media and received numerous complaints from the public. Many people believed that the violence depicted in the film was too intense for the 12A category. There were concerns about certain scenes and the implication of violence, which had a strong impact on some viewers, resulting in 450 complaints. Personally, I think the film should have been rated 12 instead of 12A because it deals with intense themes and implications that may not be suitable for anyone younger than 12. However, I do agree that it shouldn't have been rated higher, as the guidelines followed were based on public opinions. Additionally, it's worth noting that out of the 450 complaints, only around 45 individuals had actually watched the film with children. This suggests that the surge in complaints was largely due to the controversy surrounding the ratings.

4) What are the guidelines for a 12A certificate - Blinded By The Light's cinema certificate (it was rated 12 for its home video release)?

12 racist language and behaviour, moderate bad language

The film contains occasional moderate bad language like 'wanker' and some milder terms such as 'bloody hell', 'shit', 'crap', 'frickin', 'sod', and 'Jesus'.

In one scene, two men are assaulted by National Front members, leading to a brief depiction of bloody injuries. Racist remarks are directed towards "Pakis", with one character being spat on and forced to change seats in a restaurant by racist individuals. The film does not support racism.

5) The BBFC website offers an explanation of every classification it makes and detailed case studies on selected titles. Look at the rating for Blinded By The Light and explain why it was given a 12A certificate for cinema release.

Furthermore, there is a scene where two men are assaulted by members of the National Front, leading to a short moment of bloody injury. The attackers also make racist remarks, referring to someone as "Pakis". One character is even spat on and forced to leave his seat in a restaurant due to the request of these racists. However, it's important to note that the film does not support or endorse racism in any way.

- Films classified as 12A and video works classified as 12 are not suitable for children under 12.

- Children under 12 can only watch a 12A film in a cinema if they are accompanied by an adult.

- Adults should consider if a 12A film is appropriate for a child under 12 before taking them to see it.

- To help make a decision, it is recommended to check the content advice for the film in advance.

- The films and video works should not promote dangerous behavior, discrimination, drug misuse, excessive bad language, explicit nudity, explicit sexual activity, sexual violence, or excessive violence.