Hmmm.....

[elisi]

Are there any guidelines for how to rate (porny) fic? Where do the lines go between PG-13, 15, R and NC-17? Any help or thoughts appreciated!

Oh and gacked from poshcat: a video of a baby hamster eating his first broccoli. The cuteness is overwhelming!

Comments

[stormwreath.livejournal.com]

Personally, I always use the British rating system on my fics. :) BBFC website.

R18 - A special and specific category for explicit sex (R18 films can only be sold through licenced sex shops)

18 - Anything goes, as long as it's legal. (Except for hardcore porn which is R18).

15 - Swearing is fine, although the really, really offensive words (including terms of racist abuse) must be limited and justified by context. Sex and nudity are fine, but no emphasis or close-up on the details. Violence and horror are fine, but must not glamorise or dwell in detail on the infliction of pain, on excessive blood and gore, or on sexual violence.

12 - Infrequent use of strong language (Fuck!) is acceptable. Sex should be implied; sexual nudity may be shown but briefly and discreetly. Violence and horror may be included, but without specific details or gore.

PG - Mild bad language (Hell!), implied sexual activity only, moderate violence without any details and only in context, horror sequences must not be prolonged or intense. No depictions of dangerous behaviour which children might copy. Suitable for age 8 and up.

U - Very mild bad language (Bother!), no sexual activity above kissing and cuddling, mild violence and horror and only if reassurance is immediately provided. Suitable for age 4 and up.


At a guess, I think U = G, PG = PG, 12 = PG-13, 15/18 = R and 18/R18 = NC17.

Put another way, the only episode of either Buffy or Angel that got rated '18' was 'Five By Five', probably for the scene where Faith tortures Wesley with broken glass and a aerosol flamethrower. 'Hush' and 'The Body' both got rated 15; 'Restless' and 'Who Are You' got rated 12.

[elisi]

Personally, I always use the British rating system on my fics. :)
Oh thank you so much for this! I think I've learned more about ratings in one day than many years... or at least now I have far more specific ideas about how the system works. :)