Thursday 2 October 2014

Classification of music videos

Click here for a news article featured on The Guardian's website that explains that the BBFC plans to introduce age classifications for music videos, due to pressure from parents concerned that they provide sexual imagery available to children online. So, in preparation, I need to make sure that my music video fits into the right guidelines in order for my target audience to enjoy it.

According to the British Board of Film Classification;



  • U- should raise no significant issues in terms of discrimination, drugs, imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex, threat or violence.
  • PG- will not contain any theme which is inappropriate for a child, but can explore challenging issues such as bullying, bereavement or racism.
  • 12A and 12- the overall tone of a film or video, and the way it makes an audience feel, affects the classification. Strong language may be passed (eg. 'f***') depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using the language, its frequency and any special contextual justification. Sex may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Moderate violence and dangerous behaviour is allowed but it should not dwell on detail. 
  • 15- may include strong language, frequent strong language (eg. '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, and/or drug taking.
  • 18- may contain strong issues such as very strong violence, frequent strong language (eg. 'f***') and/or very strong language (eg. 'c***'), strong portrayals of sexual activity, scenes of sexual violence, strong horror, strong blood and gore, real sex (in some circumstances), and/or discriminative language and behaviour.
Seeing as my target audience is 14-20 year olds, I need to make sure my music video comes under the 12/12A classification. 

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