Thriller audience research and planning- age ratings

Age ratings are in place to protect the younger and/or more vulnerable viewers from watching potentially disturbing videos/films/ television programmes etc...

Examples of age ratings in thriller films:

• The Woman in Black(2012)- PG-13
• Black Swan (2012)- 15
• Se7en (1995)- 18
• Psycho (1960) - X

For my own thriller piece I would suggest my initial ideas would lead to the piece being rated a 15. This is due to there only being a suggested death in the final scene. There is some use of strong violence e.g. the use of guns as props, and the chase scene.
An advantage of the piece possibly being rated a 15 is that it then becomes available for a larger audience to view the piece. However the age rating may put some potential viewers off the piece as they may only wish to watch 18 age rated films as they have a larger potential for use of violence and serious themes. On the other hand if the piece was to be rated an 18 this would restrict more potential viewers.