Assessment 3 - Research into target audience and gender

Assessment 3 - Research into target audience and gender

Target Audience research for ages 15 and 18

I have researched specific websites focusing on the BBFC for my target audience of the ages 15 and 18. I have noticed that there is a big difference between 15 rated films and 18 rated films even  though there is only a 3 year age gap. 

Firstly there are certain aspects that denote a 15 rating film. Drugs determine the rating of a film. I understand that drugs may be used in a 15 rated film although they may not be shown as a positive thing and encourage drug use, also highly dangerous and extreme use of drugs may not be permitted within this rating. if there is a high usage of drugs being shown to the audience then the film must have an 18 restriction.

Also discrimination within the scenes may not be throughout the scene and continue throughout. An example of this is a film that discriminates a certain ethnic minority throughout the film. Although the film may pass as a 15 if there is only small amounts of discrimination within the scenes. Following on imitable behavior is not permitted in a 15 film such as dangerous actions such as suicide. Also accessible weapons may not feature within these films and be used; an example of this is a kitchen knife used in a horror film to kill someone, this is because it promotes that a typical household object could be used as a deadly weapon.

Violence is also a theme used within films and certain violence may not be used in 15 films. I understand that strong violence is allowed although it may not show detailed injury inflicted from the strong violence. Also violence should not result in gory images as this aspect is forbidden within 15 films.  Violence such as rape may not be used or sadistic violence such as extreme torture. Sexual references may be used in the right context although the actual sexual action going on may only be shown in a minor way, for example a full on sex scene may not be shown.

Nudity and sex is also a part of the rating and has certain constraints. Minor nudity may be shown within a sexual scene provided its in the correct context, also detailed nudity may not be shown and it may not be purposely for sexual arousal towards its target audience. Also sexual references are limited within these films. Sexual references may be used although stronger references to sex are too explicit for these films. Sexual scenes may be used although not in explicit detail. This seems correct, as the legal sex age is 16 in Great Britain.

Following on the 18 rating is different from the 15 rating, typically because its target audience may not be affected by these scenes and may be familiar with the action in the films. Although it’s 18 films there are still constraints. A example of this is films that are filmed not within the law, an example of this is actual cocaine use in a film as it should be done using a fake product to imitate cocaine. Also actions that aren’t moral must be portrayed within an 18 film. An example of this is pedophilia as it is immorally wrong within today’s society and disturbing. Actions that are used completely out of context are not permitted such as a rape scene for no entire reason.

 In the opening sequence that my group is going to produce the context or the content will mean the opening scene will have to be given an age restriction of 18. Our initial ideas suggest rape and discrimination between two characters. This would make it an 18, as rape is not really suitable for a 15 rated movie. Also discrimination between characters may result in explicit language, although this is permitted in 15 rated films this could be too extreme for a 15 rated film. In our sequence al though the context may be rape their will be no nudity or sexual references just the audience will be lead to think this.  There will be violence within the scene that may result in harm towards the victim so therefore this would be rated an 18 film. My opening sequence also shows drug use that will create an anti social hostile atmosphere, although this isn’t promoting drugs it may be scene as extreme drug use so is 18. Overall I believe there are minor differences between the content in 15 and 18 films although 18 films are usually more extreme. I believe that the factors in our film would sway towards an 18 rated film.