RESEARCH JOURNAL

MEDIA FILM GOOGLE SLIDE

BBFC

The BBFC (an independent, non-governmental body) classi es lm and video releases in the UK. However, local councils have the power to overrule BBFC decisions and rate lms differently (e.g. This is England was rated 18 by the BBFC but several councils rated it 15).

The theatrical release of Black Panther gained a 12a certificate.

Black Panther: Regulation

The film, like many recent Marvel films, features very little romantic drama and no sex or nudity. It is fairly violent, but the combat is fantastical (hard to imitate) and there is a strong moral code to most of the conflict. 

The film was classified as PG-13 in USA, and similarly in other territories.

Processes of production, distribution and circulation and the impact of digitally convergent platforms

The teaser trailer was released in June 2017 by Disney’s sister channel ABC, during NBA Finals. Within 24 hours it had been viewed 89 million times on Youtube.

Just before release, Black Panther was the most-tweeted about film of 2018 with more than 5 million tweets globally. In mid- March 2018, it became the most-tweeted about lm ever with 35 million tweets.

Film Industry

Films can be produced, distributed and exhibited in different ways according to the production context of the film. Some are made by big studios and some are independent. 

Distribution is a very important part of the film industry as it is the way in which the film is connected to the audience. 

The specific distribution strategies will be related to the target audience and how they will view the films. It is the responsibility of the films distributor to release and sustain interest in the film. This is most effectively supported by vertical integration, where the production, distribution and exhibition are controlled by one main company. Distribution also involves the important job of promoting and marketing the film, including global sales. This will involve the production of trailers, posters and online marketing. The distributor is also responsible for deciding the best time to market the film and the logistics including transporting the film to cinemas to be shown.

Industry Regulation

In Britain films are regulated by the British Board Film Classification (BBFC) . This was established in 1912 to classify films and has also been responsible for the classification of videos and DVDs since the Video Recordings Act 1984.

In some very rare cases, a film will be deemed not appropriate for any classification at all. 

The aim of the film producers is to ensure that their film is open to the widest audience so that the film can be a box office success. In recent years the 12A certification was introduced for film that the BBFC considers appropriate for audiences over the age of 12, with acknowledgement that parents know best as to whether their children younger than 12 can cope with a particular film.  

Film Regulation

n America, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) operates a voluntary regulation of films. This is a rating system the aim of which is to distinguish between those films aimed at an adult target audience and those aimed at children. Although voluntary, the expectation is that no film will be rated higher than ‘R’, which suggests the film is suitable for accompanied children under the age of 17.

However, the MPAA uses different criteria from the BBFC when rating films and tends to be more lenient on violence and less on sexual content. American films for distribution in the Uk will be given a rating by the BBFC. It is sometimes the case that the trailers for the films will be given a classification to that of the main film.