Final Casting Decision

Our cast for our short film is;

Character – Megan

Played By – Jazelle Johnson, we chose Jazelle as she had the ability to drive.

Character – Charlie

Played By – Jess Whight (me), we chose Jess (me) as she has the typical femme fatale look, with blonde hair and blue eyes we could add red lipstick and eyeliner to give a final touch.

Character – Catherine

Played By – Natasha Arculeo, we chose Natasha as she looks very innocent. She is believable as good and honest character.

Chosen Target Audience

Our target audience for our film would be females. This is because of the narrative and the characters in the film. The cast in our film is 3 females and 1 male. The film has a very responsive issue that women can relate to as well as sympathise for the character. I fell women would understand and respond better to this message more than men would when watching the film.  

Our Chosen Decision

For our final decision, we decided to base our film on mental health. The codes and conventions of a thriller will be used to create a psychological thriller. This will be structured as a double cycle by replaying the same circumstances twice with one big change.

Our film has one main character called Megan who suffers from a mental illness as her boyfriend has cheated on her and puts him in the boot of her car to get revenge. Already struggling with the idea, she has her two friends Catherine and Charlie give her different sets of advice, these two are later revealed as parts of Megan’s mind.

Our main aim is to raise awareness of mental illness and the lack of control they have. Our film will most likely attract a female audience as the narrative and characters in the film. Here is a website you can go on for further information
www.mentalhealth.org.uk

Certification - R18

 The ‘R18’ category is a special and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and video works may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops. ‘R18’ video works may not be supplied by mail order. The following content is not acceptable:

• any material which is in breach of the criminal law, including material judged to be obscene under the current interpretation of the Obscene Publications Act 1959
• material (including dialogue) likely to encourage an interest in sexually abusive activity (for example, paedophilia, incest or rape) which may include adults role-playing as non-adults
• the portrayal of any sexual activity which involves lack of consent (whether real or simulated). Any form of physical restraint which prevents participants from indicating a withdrawal of consent
• the infliction of pain or acts which may cause lasting physical harm, whether real or (in a sexual context) simulated. Some allowance may be made for moderate, non-abusive, consensual activity
• penetration by any object associated with violence or likely to cause physical harm
• any sexual threats, humiliation or abuse which does not form part of a clearly consenting role-playing game. Strong physical or verbal abuse, even if consensual, is unlikely to be acceptable.

Certification - 18

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.
In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC’s public consultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, at ‘18’ the BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally override the principle that 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 the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, any 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 sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault
• where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in ‘R18’ works, and in ‘sex works’ (see below) would normally be confined to that category.

In the case of video works (including video games), 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, 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’.

Certification - 15

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.

Drugs

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

Horror

Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.

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.

Language

There may be frequent use of strong language for example, ‘f**k’. The strongest  terms for example, ‘c**t’ may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.

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, 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.

Theme

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

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 or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.

Certification - 12 & 12A

  Exactly the same criteria are used to classify works at ‘12A’ and ‘12’. These categories are awarded where the material is suitable, in general, only for those aged 12 and over. The category of  ‘12A’ only exists for cinema films. No one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult, and films classified ‘12A’ are not recommended for a child below 12.

• Discrimination

Aggressive discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly condemned.

• Drugs

Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or give instructional detail.

• Horror

Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained.

• Imitable behaviour

Dangerous behaviour for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming should not dwell on detail which could be copied, or appear pain or harm free.  Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

• Language

Moderate language is allowed. The use of strong language for example, ‘f**k’ must be infrequent.

• Nudity

Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet.

• Sex

Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Frequent crude references are unlikely to be acceptable.

• Theme

Mature themes are acceptable.

• Violence

Moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated, and must have a strong contextual justification.