Age Ratings

U

The letter U in the U symbol stands for 'universal'. A U film is suitable for any audience aged four and over. However, often, some content can upset a child as each child is different in what they find appropriate and what they don't.

PG

The letters PG in the PG symbol stand for 'Parental Guidance'. A PG is for general viewing and should be suitable for children aged around 8 years or older. The parents of the child should consider whether the content is liable to upset the child.

12A

12A rated films are not generally suitable for children under the age of 12 , but they may be allowed to see the film if accompanied by an adult. The 12 rating is put in place for retailers because it is simpler that only people above the age of 12 can buy the film. Our film is not going to be this rating either as we are sure it is not going to be suitable for anyone below the age of 15 and we are aiming for the older audience.

15

No-one under 15 is allowed to see a 15 rated film at the cinema or buy/rent a 15 rated video. 15 rated works are not suitable for children under 15 years of age

18

Films rated 18 are for adults. No-one under 18 is allowed to see an 18 film at the cinema or buy / rent an 18 rated video. No 18 rated works are suitable for children.

This information will give us an insight into the sort of features we can include in our thriller opening and what aspects of our thriller will be suitable for which age group and allow us to determine the age group at which our thriller film will be aimed at and suitable for. 

Se7en Textual Analysis

This is my textual analysis of the film 'Se7en'

Barthes' Narrative Codes

 

Action Code

The first code is the action code. This is used to indicate the next logical step in a piece of media. It let's the audience know what is going to happen and implies that there will be some sort of action is the scene For example, our preliminary task showed an actor approaching a door, the next logical step to this sequence would be for him to open the door.

 

Mystery Code or Enigma Code

The next code is the mystery or enigma code. This is used by releasing only a small amount of information about the narrative at a time to engage the audience and have them wondering what will happen next. This grabs the audience's attention by creating an eerie atmosphere.

 

The Semic Code

This code is one that uses signs and symbols to tell the audience about the narrative and about the characters. it lets the audience know features about the narrative without directly telling the audience about it.

 

The Cultural Code

This code is used to let the audience know about the culture and social nature of the characters in the narrative. it makes references to the real world that audiences will recognise from experience. It lets the audience sometimes relate to what is happening in the narrative.

In our thriller opening, all of these codes will be used in an appropriate way to add density to the main plot line. 

 

 

Uses and gratifications

This theory suggests people use media texts for various reasons which are:

Diversion

To escape from everyday life

Personal identity

To create they’re own identities from characters in media texts

Personal relationships
Use media texts for emotion and other social values/interaction

Surveillance
To gain information or knowledge

Entertainment

As a means of relaxation, enjoyment, and emotional release.

Our thriller will be mainly focused on people that use television as a means of entertainment and will be primarily focussed on the enjoyment of the viewer.