Reflective Evaluation Questions 4&5- Laurence Williamson

Paranormal Activity- 15

The certificate for ‘paranormal activity’ is a 15. From looking at the user ratings to the left, taken from the IMDb website, we can see that the film was rated by a large male audience aged 18-29. We can see this by 54,121 of the votes are by this group. This could be because it has been portrayed as very scary and is supposed to mess with your head and stereotypically, females would be more reluctant to watching this compared to males.

1408- 15

The certificate for ‘1408’ is a 15. From looking at the user ratings taken from the IMDb website, we can see that the film was again rated by a large male audience aged 18-29. We can see this because there are 56,106 votes from this audience for this film. This shows that the film mostly appeals to males. This could be because the main character in the film is male and generally speaking, males tend to prefer horror films compared to females.

The Sixth Sense- 15

 The certificate for ‘The Sixth Sense’ is a 15. From looking at the user ratings taken from the IMDb website, we can see that the film was again rated by a very large male audience aged 18-29. We can see this because there are 143,397 votes by 18-29 year old males and 213,270 votes by males in general.

The Haunting In Connecticut- 15

The certificate for ‘The Haunting in Connecticut’ is a 15. From looking at the user ratings taken from the IMDb website, we can see that the film was again rated by a large male audience aged 18-29. We can see this because there are 11,419 votes by this audience for this film.

The Omen- 15

The certificate for ‘The Omen’ is a 15. From looking at the user ratings taken from the IMDb website, we can see that the film was again rated by a large male audience aged 18-29. We can see this because there are 15,427 votes by this audience for this film.

The Content of Film Certificates

By looking at the certificates for the films above, I believe that it is right to rate our film as a 15 as it does contain some frightening sequences which are not allowed in films rated below a 15. Below is a lost of content that is allowed in a film rated 15. I don’t think we can rate it any higher as we can only make it as scary as possible without a budget where as most 18 films have a high budget.

15 –
Suitable only for 15 years and over

No one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video work.

Discrimination

The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.

Drugs

Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.

Horror

Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.

Imitable behaviour

Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

Language

There may be frequent use of strong language. The strongest terms may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.

Nudity

Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.

Sex

Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.

Theme

No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds.

Violence

Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable.

There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.