Who would be the audience for your media product?

My thriller’s age category will be a 15 and over. I have chosen this for a few reasons, it’s so I can show an average level of violence and still have a relatively large target audience. There a few swear words in my thriller opening, this also makes my opening clip a 15.

I have looked at the BBFC ratings and have found that the 15 age rating is correct for my thriller. Was appropriate for my thriller because of these reasons I have listed below.

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. My opening has no sorts of discrimination.

 

Drugs

My thriller opening has no drug taking, but later on in the film.

 

Horror

Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised. No real horror, but horror may intervene later on in the film. 

 

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. Weapons are used a lot and use of the weapons is in a violent nature.

 

Language

There may be frequent use of strong language. The strongest terms may be acceptable if justified by the context. Language is at a very poor standard so that’s why I have made this a 15 rating.

 

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, there is no sex in my thriller and wont be throughout the production.

 

Theme

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

 

Violence

There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification. There is a lot of violence in my opening and definitely deserves a 15 age range.

The BBFC stands for British Board of Film Classification. A highly expert and experienced regulator of the moving image (especially film, video/DVD and video games), and also a service provider for new and developing media. They decide on film ratings for example if the film is 15 age and above or a 18 age and above. The age categories are 'U' 'PG', 12, 12A, 15, 18 and 18R. Its against the law to release a film without the approval and the classification of the BBFC. An example of a film that they have rated is Rush Hour and they have rated that as a 12. 

I found out in my questionnaire certain things that have helped me choose my final idea due to what people think is best in a thriller opening. For example I found that people want to see flashbacks in a thriller opening. I gave 10 people the questionnaire and I found out that 90% of the participants like to see flashbacks in a thriller opening. It was said that they add suspense and mystery straight away and ''grips you into the story''. I also found that 3 minutes is the recommended time for a thriller opening,. In this way the questionnaire was a success. Lots of action is a good way to grab the viewer’s attention that was the reaction we got off this questionnaire.