The U symbol stands for Universal. This symbol represents a particular audience that is eligible to watch movieswith that specific symbol. A U film is suitable for audiences aged four years and over. In addition, films with the Usymbol have a special BBFCinsight stating which means that they are ‘particularly suitable for pre-schoolchildren’. This means that films or videos labelled with BBFCinsight should raise no significant issues in terms ofdiscrimination, drugs, imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex, threat or violence. Films or videos with the Usymbol will only allow infrequent use of very mild bad language, such as, ‘damn’ and ‘hell’. Similarly, there is noovert focus on sexual behaviour, language or innuendo. Violence too is very mild in films and videos with the Usymbol. There might be scenes of fighting or a situation where the characters are placed in danger. Additionally,there may be brief scary scenes and ‘baddie’ characters whom may carry or use weapons, but there will be noemphasis on these.

Aiming my film towards a U audience would be insignificant due to the lack of violence and threat that I will beable to include. Although a psychological horror movie may have little gore, it may include strong language,strong violence and sexual nudity, all which would be inappropriate for a U audience.Examples of U rated movies are: The Lion King, Monsters Inc. and Puss In Boots.

The PG symbol stands for Parental Guidance. Films that are prescribed with the PG symbol means that they are onlysuitable for general viewing, however some scenes may be unsuitable for younger children. A PG film is mostsuitable for a child aged 12 or younger if a parent or guardian is present. A PG film may explore such aspects asbullying, bereavement or racism. There may also be mild bad language, such as, ‘shit’ or ‘son of a bitch’, howeverthe context and delivery are always important. Additionally, there may be sex references, however they areundetailed and infrequent. Violence too is usually very mild. Things such as blood may be displayed, however notnecessarily in how the injury was inflicted in strong detail. Violence is only ever really used in historical, comedic orfantasy setting because of the distancing that this provides. For threat and horror, a PG film may include some‘jump’ moments and frightening sequences as long as they are not prolonged or intense.

Aiming my film towards a PG audience may be considered irrelevant since I will not be able to include strongviolence which a psychological horror movie must have. Additionally, a psychological horror movie must includemany ‘jump’ moments and frightening sequences throughout the film in order to represent the sub genre exactly,therefore by having my film with a PG rating, I am unable to do so. Examples of PG rated movies are: Maleficent,Monster House and The Corpse Bride.

The 12A symbol means that it contains material that is not generally suitable for children aged under 12 unlessthey are accompanied by an adult. However a 12 rated movie does not necessarily require an adult if you are 12years old or older. Strong language such as ‘f***’ can be passed at a 12A or 12 film, however this depends on themanner in which it is used, who is using the language, its frequency and any special contextual justification.Discriminatory language or behaviour is completely not to be endorsed as a whole. Moreover, sex may be brieflyand discreetly portrayed at 12A or 12, however verbal sex references should not go beyond what is suitable foryoung teenagers. At 12A, moderate violence can be expected, however this should not dwell on detail. Horror filmscan be passed at this category, including moderate physical and psychological threat. However, the horrorsequences must not be too frequent and the overall tone is not disturbing.

Aiming my film towards a 12A or 12 audience could work as I would be able to include moderate physical andpsychological threat which is highly beneficial to me as my sub genre of horror is psychological. However, this wouldonly mean that I would have a much smaller audience, therefore this may be insignificant to me as I am aiming tohave a much bigger audience. Examples of movies that are 12A or 12 rated are: Dark Shadows, The Others and RedRiding Hood.

The 15 symbol means that movies rated with 15 are not to be seen by anyone under that specific age. There is nospecific theme that is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds. The following elementsare all that can be included in a 15 rated film: Strong violence, frequent strong language, portrayals of sexualactivity, strong verbal references to sex, sexual nudity, brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexualviolence, discriminatory language or behaviour and drug taking. At a 15 rated movie there is no upper limit on thenumber of uses of strong language. There may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language, and thework could explore themes relating to this. Sexual activity can be displayed, however this must not be in strongdetail. In addition, violence too can be strong, however it should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. Theremay also be detailed verbal references to sexual violence, however any portrayal depiction of sexual violence mustremain discreet and justified by context. There can be strong threat and horror as long as there is no sustainedfocus on sadistic or sexualised threat.

I believe that this would be the most convenient age for my film as it will enable me to use strong violence andfrequent strong language which an audience would typically see in a psychological horror film. Since psychologicalmovies do not have much gore or weapons, strong violence will be essential to use in my film in order to portraythe psychological sub genre correctly. Examples of movies that are 15 rated are: The Conjuring, Black Swan andCarrie.

The 18 symbol means that films rated with 18 are for adults. No one under 18 is allowed to see an 18 film, therefore such films are not suitable for children. There is no theme that is prohibited at 18. This means that adults are free to choose their own entertainment provided the material is not illegal or potentially harmful. Additionally, this would mean that themes tackled at 18 may be offensive even to some adult viewers. The following elements are all that can be included in a 18 rated film: very strong violence, frequent strong language, strong portrayals of sexual activity, scenes of sexual violence, strong horror, strong blood and gore, real sex and discriminatory language and behaviour. There is no limit on the number of uses of strong or even very strong language. There can also be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language at 18, and the work could explore themes relating to discrimination. There is usually strong and detailed portrayals of sex at 18, including full nudity. Violence is also permitted and can be portrayed in very strong detail, there may also be scenes of strong sadistic or sexual violence. Lastly, horror films may contain very strong horror, gore or sustained threat.

I believe that aiming my film towards an 18 audience would be beneficial as I am creating a horror film , therefore I would be able to include everything you would typically see in a horror film, such as, the gore, threat and strong language. However, since my film is going to be a psychological film, gore and strong language and many of the other elements that are permitted at 18 are not necessary for my film. You would not see much gore in a psychological film as it is mainly focused on the delusional mind of a person. Additionally, if I was to aim my film at an 18 audience, I would not have such a big audience as I would with a 15 movie. Examples of movies that are 18 rated are: The Silence of the Lambs, The Last House on the Left and Wrong Turn.