Institution research

Film production companies of United Kingdom

BBC Films

BBC Films co-produces around eight films a year, working in partnership with major international and UK distributors. Christine Langan is Head of BBC Films, responsible for the development and production slate, strategy and business operations.

Until 2007, BBC Films was based in Mortimer Street, near Broadcasting House in London, while still under the full control of the BBC. A re-structuring of the division integrated it into the main BBC Fiction department of BBC Vision. As a result, it moved out of its independent offices into Television Centre, and its head David M. Thompson left to start his own film production company.

- example Death Defying Acts

 is a 2007 supernatural romantic thriller. The film is a UK-Australian co-production directed by Gillian Armstrong and starring Guy Pearce and Catherine Zeta-Jones. It concerns an episode in the life of Hungarian-American escapologist Harry Houdini at the height of his career in the 1920s. It was screened in a special presentation at the 2007 Toronto International Film 
Festival.

I think that BBC films would be a good institution for my thriller because it had some experience with thrillers before and it is a well recognised institution in Britain, however it is not as major as some other institutions, so that means that it would be cheaper for us.

Advertising agencies   

Percept-http://www.perceptindia.in/

Kaleidoscope Film Distribution



Kaleidoscope Film Distribution (KFD) is an expanding International Sales outfit based in Soho, London. Approaching its second birthday, KFD is a one stop shop offering full UK and international distribution and sales capabilities, and is one of the fastest growing independents in the market. Having fully or partially financed ten titles from pre-production so far, supporting independent film and filmmakers, is a key mission.

KFD specialises in commercial features films, branded documentaries and special events. New titles include acclaimed revenge thriller, The Seasoning House, From Director Paul Hyett (the special make up effects genius behind The Woman in Black, Gladiator and Eden Lake); The Penguin King 3D, a beautifully produced and epic tale of the King Penguin, narrated by Sir David Attenborough, and for the US, by Tim Allen; and psychological thriller, Mine Games, starring Brianna Evigan (Step Up 2). Other recent titles include Sundance screened and seminal music documentary, The Art Of Rap, directed by Ice-T, and featuring more than 40 of the genre’s biggest stars.   

http://kaleidoscopefilmdistribution.com/content/index.asp

BBFC

http://www.bbfc.co.uk/

The British Board of Film Classification is an independent, non-governmental body which has classified cinema films since it was set up in 1912 and videos/ DVDs since the Video Recordings Act was passed in 1984.
 

Main issues



Discrimination 
Potentially offensive content, relating
to such matters as race, gender,
religion, disability or sexuality, may
arise in a wide range of works, and
the classification decision will
take account of the strength or impact
of its inclusion.

Drugs                                                                                                    

No work taken as a whole may 

promote the misuse of drugs and any

detailed portrayal of drug misuse

likely to promote or glamorise the

activity may be cut. Works which

show drug misuse while emphasising

the dangers may receive less 

restrictive classifications than works

that present drug misuse in a neutral

manner. 

Horror

The use of frightening elements

which might scare or unsettle an

audience is part of a long tradition of

story telling and film making. Many

children enjoy the excitement of

scary sequences, but, where films 

are targeted at a younger audience,

classification decisions will take into

account such factors as the frequency,

length and detail of scary scenes as well as horror effects.

Imitable behaviour

Classification decisions will take into

account any detailed portrayal of

criminal and violent techniques, and

any glamorisation of easily accessible

weapons, such as knives. Works which

portray anti-social behaviour (for 

example, bullying) uncritically are

likely to receive a more restrictive

classification.

Language

Many people are offended, some of

them deeply, by bad language. This

may include the use of expletives 

with a sexual, religious or racial 

association, offensive language about 

minority groups and commonly

understood rude gestures. The extent

of that offence may vary according to

age, gender, race, background,

beliefs and expectations brought by

viewers to the work, as well as the 

context in which the word, expression

or gesture is used.

Nudity

Natural nudity with no sexual context

is acceptable at all classification 

levels, but will not occur more than

occasionally in the lowest category. 

Nudity with a sexual context 

will receive a more restrictive 

classification and strong detail in

such a context will only be passed 

in the adult categories.

Sex

The portrayal of sexual activity can

range from kissing and verbal

references to ‘making love’, to detail

of real sex.  This is reflected in the

classification system, in which 

progressively stronger portrayals 

are allowed as the categories rise. 

Theme

Classification decisions will take 

into account the theme of a work, 

but will depend significantly on 

the treatment of that theme, and 

especially the sensitivity of its 

presentation. However, the most 

problematic themes (for example,

drug abuse, sexual violence, 

paedophilia, incitement to racial

hatred or violence) are unlikely to be

appropriate at the most junior levels

of classification.

Violence

Violence has always been a feature of

entertainment for children and adults.

Classification decisions will take

account of the degree and nature of any violence in a work.  

U Universal – 

Suitable for all

No references to illegal drugs or drug misuse unless 

they are infrequent and innocuous, or there is a clear

educational purpose or anti-drug message suitable 

for young children.

Imitable behaviour

No potentially dangerous behaviour which young 

children are likely to copy. No emphasis on realistic 

or easily accessible weapons.

Language

Infrequent use only of very mild bad language.

Nudity

Occasional natural nudity, with no sexual context.

Sex

Mild sexual behaviour (for example, kissing) and 

references only (for example, to ‘making love’).

Theme

While problematic themes may be present, their 

treatment must be sensitive and appropriate for 

young children.

Violence

Mild violence only. Occasional mild threat or 

menace only.

PG Parental Guidance –

.

Horror

Frightening sequences should not be prolonged Discrimination

Discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to 

be acceptable unless clearly disapproved of or in an

educational or historical context.  Discrimination by 

a character with which children can readily identify 

is unlikely to be acceptable.

Drugs

References to illegal drugs or drug misuse must be

innocuous or carry a suitable anti-drug message or

intense. Fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor.

Imitable behaviour

No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour which

young children are likely to copy. No glamorisation 

of realistic or easily accessible weapons.

Language

Mild bad language only.

Nudity

Natural nudity, with no sexual context.

Sex

Sexual activity may be implied, but should be 

discreet and infrequent. Mild sex references and 

innuendo only.

Theme

Where more serious issues are featured (for example,

domestic violence) nothing in their treatment should 

condone unacceptable behaviour.  

Violence

Moderate violence, without detail, may be allowed,

if justified by its context (for example, history, 

comedy or fantasy).



12A/12 – 
Suitable for 12 years and over


Discrimination
Discriminatory language or behaviour must not be
endorsed by the work as a whole. 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, ‘fuck’) 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.
Sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for
young teenagers. Frequent crude references are unlikely
to be acceptable.
Theme
Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must
be suitable for young teenagers.
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.

15 – 
Suitable only for 15 years 
and over

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,

‘fuck’). The strongest terms (for example, ‘cunt’) 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.

Suitable only for adults

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

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’.

R18 - To be shown only in 
specially licensed cinemas,
or supplied only in licensed sex
shops, and to adults of not less
than 18 years

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
• 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.
These Guidelines will be applied to the same 
standard regardless of sexual orientation.

Ice age	U- because there is only mild threat and comic violence
Enchanted	PG- live action Disney fairy tale, chaste romance and mild violence
Bruce Almighty	12-  including very strong language and crude humour after a thug makes a rhetorical reference to a monkey coming out of his butt. Bruce gives "pleasure" to Grace as they prepare for a sexual encounter. There is an extended joke about a dog who is not house-trained. Characters drink alcohol.
Insidious	15-  familiar haunted house story an exciting new twist with this tale of a family that moves into an old house and begins to suspect they are under siege from otherworldly forces when their young son inexplicably falls into a deep coma. Only mild language.
The holiday          centipede	18- he controversial director has returned to the subject matter of needles, thread, mouths and arses to executive-produce an unexpected prequel - and to our surprise, the tone of the series has made an altogether pleasing jump from surgical horror to offbeat comedy.
I spit on your grave	R18- scenes of strong language, rape, violence and all around graphic insanity.

I think that the our thriller would be a 15 becasue although it has some scary ghost scenes, the plot is quite nice with minimum swearing in it.