In this Telegraph article, SF Said explores just what qualities make for a good Children's Film.
12 years ago
Sunday 4 October 2009
CONTENT
Returning to the broad wiki definition of children’s films as ‘films aimed for children as its audience', this doesn't make any specific reference to what to expect in terms of content as opposed to genres such as 'horror' or 'thriller'.
Therefore it's worth assessing the genre of Children's Film in Fedric Jamesons framework who defines genres as 'essentially institutions, or social contracts between a writer and a specific public'. So while many children's films could be catergorised as other genres - fantasy, sci-fi, comedy, social realism, historical etc - they have similarities in other ways such as structure, ideology, themes and delivery.
Here's some examples of the many genres Children's Films have used.
Animation
Toy Story, Up,
Crime
Fantastic Mr Fox, The Thief Lord
Thriller
Spy Kids, Stormbreaker, Cody Banks
Sci-Fi
Zuthura, E.T., Escape to Witch Mountain, Wall-E
Fantasy
Harry Potter, Chronicles of Narnia
Musical
Band Slam, High School Musical
Returning to the broad wiki definition of children’s films as ‘films aimed for children as its audience', this doesn't make any specific reference to what to expect in terms of content as opposed to genres such as 'horror' or 'thriller'.
Therefore it's worth assessing the genre of Children's Film in Fedric Jamesons framework who defines genres as 'essentially institutions, or social contracts between a writer and a specific public'. So while many children's films could be catergorised as other genres - fantasy, sci-fi, comedy, social realism, historical etc - they have similarities in other ways such as structure, ideology, themes and delivery.
Here's some examples of the many genres Children's Films have used.
Animation
Toy Story, Up,
Crime
Fantastic Mr Fox, The Thief Lord
Thriller
Spy Kids, Stormbreaker, Cody Banks
Sci-Fi
Zuthura, E.T., Escape to Witch Mountain, Wall-E
Fantasy
Harry Potter, Chronicles of Narnia
Musical
Band Slam, High School Musical
Supernatural
Haunted Mansion, Casper, Spiderwick Chronicles
DEFINITION
Children’s films in their broadest terms are ‘films aimed for children as its audience - as opposed to a family film, no special effort is made to make the film attractive for other audiences.’ (Wikipedia)
The problem with this definition is that it doesn’t define what is meant by ‘children’ - however, Cary Bazalgette and Terry Staples in their book In Front of the Children define children ‘as people under the age of about twelve’ which is helpful for two reasons.
Firstly it helps us differentiate children from teenagers who depending on their physical and emotional development will have significantly different tastes and expectations from a film compared to a younger child. And secondly as it allows us to focus on the certification we would expect a Childrens' Film to have; if it is a film targeted for the under-twelves then it has to have a U or PG classification.
U Universal – Suitable for all It is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child. But a ‘U’ film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. ‘U’ films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror. If a work is particularly suitable for a pre-school child to view alone, this will be indicated in the Consumer Advice.
Discrimination
No discriminatory language or behaviour unless clearly disapproved of.
Drugs
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.
Horror
Scary sequences should be mild, brief and unlikely to cause undue anxiety to young children. The outcome should be reassuring.
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 – General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. A ‘PG’ film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.
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.
Horror
Frightening sequences should not be prolonged 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).
Children’s films in their broadest terms are ‘films aimed for children as its audience - as opposed to a family film, no special effort is made to make the film attractive for other audiences.’ (Wikipedia)
The problem with this definition is that it doesn’t define what is meant by ‘children’ - however, Cary Bazalgette and Terry Staples in their book In Front of the Children define children ‘as people under the age of about twelve’ which is helpful for two reasons.
Firstly it helps us differentiate children from teenagers who depending on their physical and emotional development will have significantly different tastes and expectations from a film compared to a younger child. And secondly as it allows us to focus on the certification we would expect a Childrens' Film to have; if it is a film targeted for the under-twelves then it has to have a U or PG classification.
U Universal – Suitable for all It is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child. But a ‘U’ film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. ‘U’ films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror. If a work is particularly suitable for a pre-school child to view alone, this will be indicated in the Consumer Advice.Discrimination
No discriminatory language or behaviour unless clearly disapproved of.
Drugs
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.
Horror
Scary sequences should be mild, brief and unlikely to cause undue anxiety to young children. The outcome should be reassuring.
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 – General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. A ‘PG’ film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.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.
Horror
Frightening sequences should not be prolonged 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).