Research and Planning: Film Regulation (12a Classification)

We planned our trailer to be approximately a 15 however it appears more to be a 12a with the content that we have done so far.
Our target audience was originally the age rating of about 15 up to begin with however since this is just a trailer the film itself can have a different rating.

The BBFC's guidlines of a 12a are as follows:

How important is the tone of a film at 12 or 12A?

The overall tone of a film or DVD, and the way it makes the audience feel may affect the classification. For example, a work which has a very dark or unsettling tone which could disturb the audience would be less likely to be passed 12A even if the individual issues in the film were considered acceptable under the BBFC guidelines. Similarly, if a work is particularly positive or reassuring this may stop it being pushed up a category from 12A to 15.

Will there be uses of strong language in a 12 or 12A work?

The BBFC's Guidelines state that there may be strong language (eg 'f***') at 12 or 12A, but it must be infrequent. The context of the strong language is important. 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 (eg uses of terms such as ‘bitch’ and ‘twat’ at 12 or 12A).

Any discriminatory language will not be endorsed by the work as a whole. Aggressive discriminatory language (for example homophobic or racist terms) is unlikely to be passed at 12 or 12A unless it is clearly condemned.

What sort of violence can I expect in a 12 or 12A ?

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 12 or 12A, and there may be long fight scenes or similar. Weapons which might be easily accessible to 12 year olds 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. Such scenes must also have a strong contextual justification.

Can horror films be passed 12 or 12A?

Yes, some horror films are passed at this category. Moderate physical and psychological threat is permitted at 12 or 12A as long as disturbing sequences are not too frequent or sustained.

These have been taken directly from the website (http://www.bbfc.co.uk/what-classification/12a-and-12) and the ones mentioned relate to our film trailer. The biggest concern for our trailer at this rating would probably be the tone of the film. Since it is about a serial killer killing people in a certain manner, and contains a fight scene which may not be in context very well in a teaser trailer run time. Concluding this the trailer will probably be set at a 15 age rating.