Classifying Our Film

research of the BBFC website, I can now gauge an accurate insight into what our film would be rated if we were to make the whole film. A 12/12A rating would be restrictive for the film's plot, as it deals with some violence and profanity, and has some generally dark themes. Furthermore, given the nature of some of the characters as criminals, there would likely be some profanity in the film that would not be permissible in a 12/12A.

However, this film would not merit an 18 rating either, as the violence and profanity of the film would not be gratuitous or overly explicit in its content. Furthermore, the film does not have an overall morally dubious theme despite some scenes which may appear somewhat disturbing or dark.

A 15 would be a perfect rating for our film as it would allow us to include darker themes and content without venturing too far into morally ambiguous representation or gratuitously or disturbingly explicit content, while still allowing the film to appeal to the masses - the 15-25 age bracket is the target audience for our film, as it constitutes the highest proportion of filmgoers, meaning our film would be viewed by the masses. I have researched the 15 rating at the British Board of Film Classification website which explains what kind of content can and cannot be put in a 15, demonstrated below:

Discrimination
"The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour."
I would imagine that there would be very little discrimination in our film. If there is any, it would most likely not be dwelled on or shown in a negative light.

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."
I would imagine that there would be some drug use, but mainly because several characters are involved in the spread of drugs through London. Drugs themselves would not be shown in detail or glamourised in the film, however.

Horror
"Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised."
There will be a fair amount of threat in our film as the story has some rather dark moments and deals with murder. However, it would never be 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."
Given that the story revolves around an assassin, it is likely that imitable behaviour would not be portrayed in the film as he is a professional and his methods would not easily be replicated or 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."
The film will use a fair amount of strong language, though this will be justified in the context as it will be used to characterise the more dangerous or unstable characters in the film rather than be glamourised or used in a gratuitous fashion.

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."
There may be some nudity later on in the film, though it is unlikely that it will be in a sexual context, even if we do include some sex references or scenes later on in the film.

Theme
"No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds."
The theme of the film is quite dark as it deals with murder and violence, but it would not too intense for people of 15+ years of age.

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."
There will be quite a lot of violence in this film which may be slightly graphic, though never overly gory. Characters will be shot and sometimes killed in the film which will give it the 15 rating, though there will be no gory or sexual violence meaning it will not be a 18 either.
I feel that a niche audience for our film other than the general 15-25 age bracket may be people who are interested in criminal subculture of London - the film explores a wide range of criminal activities within London, from murders, to illegal drug culture, to gangs. People who are attracted to or interested in the city of London generally may also be a niche audience for our film. I am of this mentality because films such as Collateral and Taxi Driver, which I would compare this film to in terms of style and, in the latter case, budget, have had similar niche audiences for the cities Los Angeles and New York.