Screenplay

BBFC rating

Currently I'm deciding which rating best fits my film so I can maximise my audience

BBFC description of a 15 rating:

15 – 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, although there may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory themes and language.

Drugs

Drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse (for example, through instructional detail). The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.

Imitable behaviour

Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Whether the depiction of easily accessible weapons is acceptable will depend on factors such as realism, context and setting.

Language

There may be strong language. Very strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using the language, its frequency within the work as a whole and any special contextual justification.

Nudity

There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. There may be nudity in a sexual context but usually without strong detail.

Sex

Sexual activity may be portrayed, but usually without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.

Threat

There may be strong threat and horror. A sustained focus on sadistic or sexual threat is unlikely to be acceptable.

Violence

Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but the depiction of sexual violence must be discreet and justified by context.

BBFC description of a 18 rating: 

18 – Suitable only for adults

No one younger than 18 may see an 18 film in a cinema. No one younger than 18 may rent or buy an 18 rated video work. Adults should be free to choose their own entertainment.

Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:

• where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence
• where material or treatment appears to us to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society. For example, the detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sadistic or sexual violence which make this violence look appealing; reinforce the suggestion that victims enjoy sexual violence; or which invite viewer complicity in sexual violence or other harmful violent activities
• where there are more explicit images of sexual activity in the context of a sex work (see below) or where the primary purpose of the images in question is sexual arousal In the case of video works, which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent than for cinema films.

Sex education at 18

Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality or safer sex and health, explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted.

Sex works at 18

Sex works are works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation. Sex works containing only material which may be simulated are generally passed 18. Sex works containing clear images of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit animated images, or other very strong sexual images will be confined to the R18 category. Material which is unacceptable in a sex work at R18 is also unacceptable in a sex work at 18.

After looking at the descriptions of both a 15 and 18, I feel that I would rate my film a 15 because it will include adult themes such as stalking, it would include some strong language, have sex scenes, nudity, etc... I decided not to make it an 18 as my secondary audience would be girls aged 16-21 so if I rated as an 18 it would take away that chunk of audience and limits it to be an adult audience. Therefore, I've decided to rate my film a 15 so I can get the maximum amount of my target audience. 

Audience Research using the BFI

4.3.2.1

4 girls out on a 3 days trip into 2 cities, if they survive. While Jo is working in a supermarket, her 3 friends are all out on their adventures.A chance encounter with diamond thieves sends them on a collision course with fate itself

From looking at the data, I can see that main audience are males and that most people are over 25. The main purpose of viewing this film was that Noel Clarke directed this film and he is well known for directing other films within this genre such as KidHood and Adulthood. In addition 22% of audience members watched the film as it featured Noel Clarke therefore 72% of views were influenced by Noel Clarke appearance and/or work, making it a primary purpose for viewing the film. Similarly at total of 77% when to go and see the film because it feature a well known or one of their favourite actor/actress. However only 38% of audience went because of the genre, connoting that this genre is unpopular has not even 50% were interested about the genre.

The Skin I Live In

A brilliant plastic surgeon, haunted by past tragedies, creates a type of synthetic skin that withstands any kind of damage. His guinea pig: a mysterious and volatile woman who holds the key to his obsession.

Similarly to 4 3 2 1, only 31% were interested/attended the film because of the genre highlighting that it's an unpopular genre. Furthermore the audience were influenced be a famous director/writer as 74% of people instead of the plot of the film. This could imply that the trailer and the advertising didn't help protray the plot as a exciting as some audience members who of hoped. In contrast just over 50% of audience members were women as the main protagonists was a female so the female audience could relate to her.


The Double

A clerk in a government agency finds his unenviable life takes a turn for the horrific with the arrival of a new co-worker who is both his exact physical double and his opposite - confident, charismatic and seductive with women

Audience Research using YouGov

To get more research to see if there was any patterns within gender and age. To find certain films that fit closely to my genre and plot, I went onto BoxOffice Mojo and went on the highest box office rating films in the Thriller: Stalker/Pyscho genre and went through most of the films to see the results of potential audience members. However it was't really successful as most of the top ranked films didn't come up on the YouGov website which in itself shoes that the film or even genre aren't that popular. But I did get some results but they weren't necessarily the films I would of liked to research about but never the less I got some results. Interestingly I got very different result than I was expecting. What I was originally expecting was to see young adult audience ranging between 18-35  and mostly males however more 40 year olds and above.


Sleeping with the Enemy
Gender: Female
Age: 40-51
Social Grade: ABC1
Regions: North West
Monthly Spare: less than £125
Politics: Right Wing
Professions: Fashion and Designs

Disclosure 
Gender: Male
Age: 40-54
Social Grade: C2DE
Regions: London
Politics: Right Wing
Professions: Sports Industry

One Hour Photo
Gender: Female
Age: 25-39
Social Grade: ABC1
Regions: North West
Monthly Spare: less than £125
Politics: Left Wing
Professions: Community and Social Care

Fatal Attraction
Gender: Female
Age: 55+
Social Grade: ABC1
Regions: East Anglia
Monthly Spare: £1000 or more
Politics: Right Wing
Professions: Finance

Basic Instinct 
Gender: Male
Age; 40-54
Social Grade: ABC1
Regions: North West
Monthly Spare: £1000
Politics: Right Wing
Professions: Sports Industry

Eyes Wide Shut
Gender: Male
Age: 55+
Social Grade: ABC1
Regions: London
Monthly Spare: £1000 and more
Politics: Right Wing
Professions: Architecture and Interior Design

First Production Meeting/Chat

In this first production vlog, I talked about:

• I decided to work aloe for my film opening 
• Go over my plot of the film opening 
• Discuss and explain characters, strengths and difficulties at this moment in time