Reflections on Lesson 1

I found learning about the classification process and the BBFC very interesting, specifically:

1. That the BBFC was first formed following government interference into the issue of film classification. The film industry disagreed with this idea as it would have been incredibly biased, and set up the BBFC so that it could become a self-regulating industry.
2. That 12A ratings were created as a response to local authority over-throwing the 12 certificate awarded to Spiderman. This decision was based made on market research to re-evaluate the aims of film certificates, and to make sure that the public were getting what they wanted, following thousands of complaints of parents who had children who had been waiting months to see the new "kids" film.
3. That "The Harm Test", the start of video-licensing, was created as a result of the Jamie Bulger/Chuckie case. A judge ruled that regulation was needed following claims from the Sun and the Mirror that the act of murder/grevious bodily harm commited by the two young boys was mimicking the actions of Chuckie, the doll.