Sunday, November 23, 2008

13D1 Cover Miss Holliday P3 & P5 Thurs 27th Nov Censorship vs Classification

BBFC Lesson: Classification

Research the following information using http://www.sbbfc.co.uk/ and put the answers on your Med 6 blogs. Please write in full sentences., not bullets.
1. From where does the BBFC get its funding?
2. What types of texts do the BBFC classify?
3. What are the problems / issues that the BBFC must deal with when classifying material? Look at the types of things they classify, ability to account for all types of content, changing context etc.
4. Note the range of classification categories and what they mean e.g. U, PG, 12A etc.
5. Look at how different themes /content within texts are classified. Make notes. Why might a DVD featuring content of skateboarders and BMX bikers performing dangerous stunts be classified as 18 but a film containing a sex scene and use of the ‘f’ word only get a 15 rating?
6. Why might a film be given a rating of 15 upon release at the cinema but 10 years later be classified as a 12?
7. Who is responsible for classifying films in the USA? How has this changed over time? (Look back to the studio system of the 1940’s).
8. Research the following case studies exploring why they were brought to the attention of the BBFC:
a. Canis Canem Edit (2006, Rockstar)
b. Crash (1996, David Cronenberg)
c. A Clockwork Orange (1971, Stanley Kubrick)
d. Fight Club (1999, David Fincher)
e. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001, Simon West)
f. Sweet Sixteen (2002, Ken Loach)
g. The Last Temptation of Christ (1988, Martin Scorcese)
h. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974, Tobe Hooper)

Homework: Is the role of the BBFC simply to classify material to provide guidance or is its role that of a censor? Discuss making reference to a range of examples. (500 words minimum). Post onto your MED 6 blogs.

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