Film Classification.

With any film, comes a rating. Whether it be 'U' or 'PG', '12' and so forth! So, my film will need one, too!
At first thought, I'd say my film (if created) would be a 15, but it can't go simply on what I think it should be, there's a whole 'board' for this kind of thing! For British films, it's quite simple. The classification board is 'The British Board Of Film Classification' or 'BBFC'.

On the official BBFC website, it states:

"In order to protect children from unsuitable and even harmful content in films and videos and to give consumers information they might need about a particular film or video before deciding whether or not to view it, the BBFC examines and age rates films and videos before they are released. This independent scrutiny prior to release ensures the highest possible level of protection and empowerment.
We watch films and videos all the way through and award an age rating and insight to each one. We reach an age rating by applying the standards and criteria contained in our Classification Guidelines which can be downloaded below.
Typically, two examiners view a film for theatrical release. In most cases a Senior Examiner will confirm the examiners’ recommendation. But if the Examiners are in any doubt or fail to agree, or if important policy issues are involved, the work may be seen by other members of the Board up to, and including, the Director and Presidential team. Occasionally we need to take specialist advice about the legal acceptability of film content or its potential for harm.
The same process exists for DVDs and Blu-rays though generally these are seen by one Examiner. However, opinions from other Examiners may be required for more difficult works.
We look at issues such as discrimination, drugs, horror, dangerous and easily imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex, and violence when making decisions. The theme of the work is also an important consideration. We also consider context, the tone and likely impact of a work on the potential audience.
The release format of a work has an impact on classification. Our decisions on the age rating of DVDs and Blu-rays can occasionally be stricter than at the cinema because there is a higher risk of underage viewing in the home and a greater potential for watching scenes out of context."

Now I have the official classification process, it makes it easier to rate the film... The only problem is that the actual guidelines (also on the website) are extremely complex and it would be very difficult to rate it myself, without professional advice and without it even being made yet... So, whilst I feel that the film will be around a 15, I think it's safe to say I can't classify it fully until the evaluation. However, it's good to know the board that is classifying films, so I have something to refer to, as to not make my film too innapropriate for the rating I want it to have.

The rating is important, as it's all about target audience. If the film is rated a 'U' then it's not going to be teens that go and watch it primarily, as it's not appealing to them. But, if it's rated a 15, then only those with a bit more maturity are going to want to watch it, plus those that just want to watch a 15 for the sake of it being a 15, whilst this is slightly taking advantage of the attitudes of the younger generation, it works. Besides, they're not my main audience, simply a consequence of my target audience, which does help me in the long run!  So, the classification is majorly important into reaching an audience, but this will have to be decided once the trailer is nearly made, so I can add the classification into the trailer at the last minute!