How does film classification affect film production and distribution?

Film classification is the rating of DVDs, video's, video games, programmes etc. They decide what rating the film should have depending on what age it is suitable for. An example of film classification is BBFC. This is the British Board of Film Classification and two examiners look through the published guidelines and choose the suitable age rating. 

Film classification can affect film production because the producer of the film has to think what target audience they would like to produce their film for. They then have to work around this and choose specific actors, scripting, language etc.; that would suit their target audience. For example when scripting a 12A  film, you would have to consider if you want strong language used in it; it must be infrequent and not too much of a harsh swear word. If the strong language was either very strong or very frequent the consequence would be rating the film to a 15. This would then not be the original target audience the film set out to produce. This is why it is important to consider the specific age classification for your film when producing it. 

Film classification can also affect the distribution this in a positive and and negative way. A positive way is that without film classifications, when it comes to distribution the cinemas/shops who would like to purchase the film would know what target audience the film is setting out to attract and this will help the cinema choose if the film is suitable for the most popular customers. But also does it help the cinemas/shops, it also helps the parents, as the parents know whether or not the film is suitable for their child due to the rating of the film. 

However a negative affect film classification on distribution is that, if a film is targeted at the rating of a 15 and then the film is not suitable for 15 year olds and above, then the film may not even be able to be distributed because of the wrong rating. And therefore the film will make no money and the shops and cinema etc. will miss out on the option of choosing/purchasing the film to be able to sell. 

Film classification has a huge impact of the production and distribution of the film and it can be negative and positive, however I believe it usually has a negative effect as it can prevent production and distribution.