12quidkidinnit
Active member
Any UK memmbers here, or anyone who can give their views or opinions on the law relating to this ?
According to the The Video Recordings Act (1984) a video film distributed in the UK has to be classified by the British Board of Film Classification (previously known as the British Board of Film Censors)
There are a few exceptions to this, and I hope they apply to what I'll be doing, because the submission fees are quite expensive, particularly in view of the fact that the film I'm making is not likely to cover its costs or make a profit.
The film will be put on DVD and is being made purely on an amateur basis, ie no professional actors, shoestring budget, not in the course of business etc. It's being made because the people involved want to do it. And when it's finished, we'd like to make sure plenty of other people get the opportunity to see it.
So my question is, if I was to offer it for sale on ebay (buy it now, no silly prices) just to cover some of the costs of making it (blank DVDs, cases, label printing) would I be able to legitimately claim exemption under section 3 of the Video Recordings Act 1984 ? I should add that it's not got any sex in it (maybe next time if the actors keep hassling me) but does have a suicide scene. It's not all that graphic however there is evidence of a razor blade and some blood, but you don't see it happen. Obviuosly adaquate warnings will be printed on the DVD label about this.
If anyone here has any ideas or experience regarding this legislation, I'd appreciate hearing what you think.
According to the The Video Recordings Act (1984) a video film distributed in the UK has to be classified by the British Board of Film Classification (previously known as the British Board of Film Censors)
There are a few exceptions to this, and I hope they apply to what I'll be doing, because the submission fees are quite expensive, particularly in view of the fact that the film I'm making is not likely to cover its costs or make a profit.
The film will be put on DVD and is being made purely on an amateur basis, ie no professional actors, shoestring budget, not in the course of business etc. It's being made because the people involved want to do it. And when it's finished, we'd like to make sure plenty of other people get the opportunity to see it.
So my question is, if I was to offer it for sale on ebay (buy it now, no silly prices) just to cover some of the costs of making it (blank DVDs, cases, label printing) would I be able to legitimately claim exemption under section 3 of the Video Recordings Act 1984 ? I should add that it's not got any sex in it (maybe next time if the actors keep hassling me) but does have a suicide scene. It's not all that graphic however there is evidence of a razor blade and some blood, but you don't see it happen. Obviuosly adaquate warnings will be printed on the DVD label about this.
It says a supply for reward. Would it be fair to say that this means financial gain, as in profit ? I'm not in the film making business. I very much doubt that the film will make a profit, or that many people will buy a copy of the DVD, and I'll happily give copies away free. If I cover just some of the costs, that would be a bonus.
If anyone here has any ideas or experience regarding this legislation, I'd appreciate hearing what you think.