Research Into Target Audience: In terms of age rating, what would it be?

Obviously since this is an A-level coursework I need to be careful with the sort of content I can show off; any violence or sexual themes needs to be very much toned down; if anything - especially in a trailer - subltey  and suggestiveness is key, and if there's any violence, or bloodied up characters, it'd all be special effects make-up and fake blood.  

I'll research into the top oldest age ratings, since if my trailer were to be an actual film, it'd either be a 12, 15 or maybe even 18!

What's expected in a 12A

Language

The BBFC's Guidelines state that strong language (e.g. 'f***') may be passed at 12 or 12A, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using the language, its frequency and any special contextual justification. Aggressive uses of strong language may result in a film or DVD being placed at the 15 category. There is some allowance for puns on strong language at this category.

There may be moderate language (e.g. uses of terms such as ‘bitch’ and ‘twat’ at 12 or 12A).

Sex

Sex may be briefly and discreetly portrayed at 12A or 12. Verbal sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. Comedy may lessen the impact of some moderate sex references or innuendo but frequent crude sex references are unlikely to be accepted at this category. There may be nudity in 12A films but nudity in a sexual context should only be brief and discreet.

Sex and sex references are treated the same irrespective of sexuality.

Violence

At 12A, moderate violence is allowed but it should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if they can be justified by their context (for example brief sight of bloody injury in a medical drama).

Action sequences and weapons may be present at 12A or 12, and there may be long fight scenes or similar. Weapons which might be easily accessible to 12 year olds (such as knives) should not be glamorised in 12A and 12 works.

Sexual violence, such as scenes of rape or assault, may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated at 12A and 12. Such scenes must also have a strong contextual justification.

For more information, click here

What's expected in a 15

Any of the following:

strong violence

frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***').

portrayals of sexual activity

strong verbal references to sex

sexual nudity

brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence

discriminatory language or behaviour

drug taking

Language/discriminatory terms:

There could potentially be a great deal. At 15 there is no upper limit on the number of uses of strong language (e.g. ‘f***’).

Occasionally there may be uses of the strongest terms (e.g. 'c***'), depending on the manner in which they are used, who is using the language, its frequency and any special contextual justification. However, continued or aggressive use will not normally be passed 15.

There may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language, and the work could explore themes relating to this.However, at 15 the work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.

Sex
At 15 sexual activity can be portrayed, but usually without strong detail. Some sex scenes can be quite long at this category.

Though nudity may be allowed in a sexual context there will usually be no strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.

There can be strong references to sex and sexual behaviour, but especially strong or crude references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context.

Sex and sex references are treated the same irrespective of sexuality.

Violence

Yes, at 15 violence may be strong. It should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury, however, and the strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.

Strong sadistic violence is also unlikely to be acceptable.

There could also be detailed verbal references to sexual violence. It should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury, however, and the strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.

Strong sadistic violence is also unlikely to be acceptable.

Drugs
At 15 drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse (for example, through instructional detail).

The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances like aerosols or solvents is unlikely to be acceptable at 15.

Dangerous behaviours teens might copy

We consider the risk of potential harm to impressionable teenagers. For example, dangerous behaviour such as hanging, suicide and self-harming should not dwell on detail which could be copied.

Whether the depiction of easily accessible weapons is acceptable will depend on factors such as realism, context and setting.

For more information, click here

What's expected in an 18

18 works are for adults and can contain strong issues such as:

  very strong violence

  frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***') and / or very strong language (e.g. ‘c***’)

  strong portrayals of sexual activity

  scenes of sexual violence

  strong horror

  strong blood and gore

  real sex (in some circumstances)

  discriminatory language and behaviour

Language
There is no limit on the number of uses of strong (e.g. 'f***') or even very strong language (e.g. ‘c***’) which can be passed at 18. Uses could be aggressive, directed, frequent or accompanied by strong violence.

There may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language at 18, and the work could explore themes relating to discrimination.

Though a work as a whole must not be in breach of any relevant legislation, it is possible for discriminatory language or themes to be the main focus of the work, and for main characters to engage in discriminatory behaviour.

Sex

There can be strong and detailed portrayals of sex at 18, including full nudity. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.

Very strong, crude and explicit sex references are permitted at 18.

An 18 film or video might also contain depictions of real sex, as long as the film or video is not a sex work.

Violence
At 18, horror films may contain very strong horror, gore or sustained threat.

Drugs
Yes. At 18 drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse.

Dangerous behaviours teenagers might copy
Though 18 films and videos may cover difficult and strong subjects and themes, harm is still a consideration. Very dangerous or criminal behaviour (for example, behaviour which if copied poses a credible harm risk) may be cut.

For more information, click here

Overall, I think my trailer would be aimed at a 12A audience so far, but at a stretch a 15. The language wont be strong (I don't really like use of strong language in my projects.)

Any violence wont be dwelled on in terms of any 'detail' - and it'd be special effects make-up and fake blood as I mentioned before. 

And anything in terms of sex would only be hinted at very subtley.