Our Classification..

We are going to classify our film as a PG. This means that our film will be suitable for all ages with guidance from their parents. The film will not contain any bad language or sexual behaviour, however it can contain some very mild violence without harmful intent. In addition there will be no discrimination, no reference to drugs or alchol and imitable behaviour included. Because it will be a PG rated film we are going to follow the guide of it must not disturb any children aged 8 years or above.

Our film is going to be a fantasy/ adventure hybrid, and will contain lots of action. There may be some parts which very young children may find scary however it would be disturb to terrify them. There should not be any swearing and there will deffinatly not have any sexual content or imitable behaviour. Our film should be well within a PG rating.

Charlotte, Graeme, Jamila and Tom

BBFC Classification Research

Research into Classification

The BBFC endeavours to classify submitted works (films, DVD and games) in one of the following categories...



U or Universal
The universal rating means that anyone at any age view the film, DVD or game. These films have no rude language, no actual violence and immatational gestures. In film, DVD and games U's tend to be animatons, or cartoons. Some content that has recieved the U rating are as follows; Ratatouille (film) and Burnout Racing (game).

PG or Parental Guidance
The parental guidance rating allows children under the age of 12 to view the content, DVD or game with the permission of the parent. PG is an odd rating as it can only be advised and not actively enforced. The PG rating covers almost all animations and cartoons, aswell as very basic childrens film. Some content that has been rated with the PG classification are; Shrek Series (film) and Guitar Hero (game).

12 Rating
The 12 rating means you have to be at least 12 years or older to be able to view the content. This rating, unlike PG can be enforced. For example if you look under the age of 12 years and you are trying to get into a 12 rated film, you may be asked for proof of age or ID. It should also be noted that classification on this content can only be actively enforce in public places, for example the Cinema. It is the chose of parents if they wish to let their child view content not suitable for their age. The 12 rating covers a lot of childrens films, DVD's and games. In a 12 rating film, you may witness some basic swear words that may only be said once or twice during the film. In addition there would be very little reference to sex, drugs and violent if any at all. Some content that has recieve the 12 rating are; Twilight Series (film) and SIMS (game).

15 Rating
The 15 rating means you have to be at least 15 years or old to view the film, DVD or game. This rating allows people who are 15 years or older to view the content. Tipically 15 rated films allow some swearing that may occur more than a few times. In addition films, games and DVD's may include more detail in violence and horror, for example cuts and blood would be visible but not extremely detailed. There may also be some little nudity and sexual behaviour in the content, however none of it would show lots of detail.
Some content that has recieved the 15 rating are; The Men Who Stare At Goats (film) and Resident Evil (game).

18 Rating
The 18 rating is only unsuitable for people 18 years plus. This rating is the most severe classification that can be given to public content. Typical content with this rating includes; extreme language, hard drug use, supernatural horror,explicit sex, sadistic and sexual violence. However some films in the passed have had to be banned from the UK as they cannot be rated because of taking things to the extremes, in particular sexual violence. Some content that has recieve the 18 rating are as follows; GTA iv (game) and SAW series (film).

Charlotte, Jamila, Tom and Graeme

Conventions of Children's film genre; Action and Fantasy

Agent Cody Banks
The genre of this children's film is action/adventure. In the opening sequence the conventions that are used include a fast pace soundtrack which conveys urgency, that gives the audience clues that it is an action movie. Also, in the first 3 minutes of the opening sequence, it started off as a typical family morning but as it progresses we learn it is an action genre because a rescue has to be made, and because of the tension created by the music that is played when the rescuing of a baby trapped in a car takes place by the main character, Cody. He is introduced within the first minute of the opening sequence, and at first we think he is a normal teenager, but as it goes on we find out he is actually a secret agent. This is a convention of action genre because it involves spies and secret agents. The location is established straightaway in the opening sequence, which is suburban America.

Nanny McPhee
The genre of this film is fantasy. We can see this through the conventions used in the opening sequence. It starts off by using a strange, wacky situation which needs to be resolved. We find out that when Nanny McPhee comes to visit she uses magic and powers (to teach the children lessons) which shows that the genre is fantasy because in real life there is no such thing as magic powers. The editing that is used to create the sense of magic is visually engaging which emphasizes the fantasy of it. When introduced, the characters are quite eccentric for example the children aren't just naughty, they are over the top naughty doing things that everyday children wouldn't even think to do. We see within the opening that Nanny McPhee teaches the children lessons and eventually the children grow to get on with her and need her much more than they think. This establishes questions for the reader such as "Will Nanny McPhee last and be able to cope with these children, or will they get rid of her like they have all the other nannies?" and then "If so, what changes throughout the story in order for the children to grow to like this Nanny?".


Charlotte, Graeme, Jamila and Tom

Paired activity: How does the micro elements help construct the specific conventions?

Disney's UP opening sequence:

Location: The opening sequence mainly features a few location over and over again these are the house of the main character, a hospital room, a hill with tree and a Zoo.

Genre: The genre of the film is adventure although this is not shown much in the opening there are a few clips that show the theme of adventure such as Carl's adventure book and when they redesign one of their rooms with a painting and cultural objects from different places.

Music: Throughout the entire opening scene one song is played this is the same length as the opening clip and follows through the emotions of the opening playing happy and sad tones at different parts when its suitable.

Visuals: Being an animated film the use of colours and lighting is strong and obvious and helps reinforce the mood of the clip changing from vibrant and colourful to gray and dark to help display the changing

TOM AND GRAEME.

Paired work - Jamila and Charlotte.

Within the opening sequence of our chosen children's film, Finding Nemo, there were many various conventions. For example, the film begins with a logo for the production company, Walt Disney, which introduces the company that the film was made by. This particular production company is famous for various other children's films and therefore helps the genre come across. We then see the title sequence, which starts the film. Straight away we see that Finding Nemo has cheerful music which shows the genre of children's film because you know straight away that it is a happy/cheerful film. The opening sequence shows an insight of the characters such as Marlin the clownfish and also the unborn children which tell us they will somehow be involved in the story. The fact that the characters are talking fish show that this is a fun film aimed at children because it's a fantasy thing that children can engage with and enjoy. We get to know the location from the very beginning because it is in the sea, at a coral reef with lots of different fish. This gives us an idea of the film's narrative too, as we know it is in the ocean and it based around fish. This opening is visually engaging as it uses bright colours from the beginning including the variety of colours on the fish and the attractive background of coral reefs etc. to draw in young children, further adding to the genre of children's film.

Preliminary Task Sequence Evaluation

Filming
After completing the Story board we began filming the sequence for the Preliminary Task. We followed the notes on the Story board and actually added in new, different shots and dialogue as we filmed. Although we did not plan this, the result was good and we got all the footage plus extra bits that we needed. We only had an hour to gather all the footage needed therefore we had to rush some shots therefore the composure may not have been the best it could of. But now we know how long it actually takes to set up and film so we will give ourselves extra time when we plan our final video.

Editing
We watched all clips and decided which ones looked best. By using Final Cut express we were able to cut and edits parts of clips that we wanted to use in order to show continuity. Overall, our preliminary task showed good continuity because the clips flowed which helped the audience make sense of what was going on. To improve we could have experimented with sound, a wider range of transitions and text to make our film more professional. This would have also helped to show our knowledge of the programs within the editing process.


Graeme, Charlotte, Jamila, Thomas.

Preliminary Task Storyboard

Preliminary Storyboard;
This shows the general plan for our preliminary video. Each box represents a different shot and what will be in that particular shot, there is also a very brief description of the shot written below.

Thomas, Charlotte, Graeme, Jamila

How are the conventions constructed differently in your two film opening sequences!

Monsters Inc

The Opening credits engaged the viewer by means of bright colours and cheerful music that followed the timing and the fast pace of the animation. The animations itself suited the genre well as it used child like drawings that were fun and easy to relate to. Because animation is used it automatically draws in the younger viewers.

101 Dalmations
This opening sequence also shows conventions of children's film, for example the cheerful music at the beginning immediately grabs the viewer's attention. It uses actors rather than animation which helps to make it seem more realistic and believable. The introduction sets the tone and hints the genre to the audience as it is fun and playful, yet has a storyline.

Thomas, Charlotte, Graeme, Jamila