Film Ratings and the Motion Picture Association of America Essay

Submitted By Azianchemistry
Words: 746
Pages: 3
Open Document
Motion Picture Association of America was formed in 1922 in order to advance the commercial interests of the moviemakers. Currently, the main function of this trade association is to act as the voice and advocate for American motion picture, television industries, and home video. The association also represents producers, distributors of media content, and any future delivery system created. In a nutshell, the association is regulating its own industry by providing ratings for the very items it pursues to safeguard and represent (Motion Pictures Association of America, 2013).
It's important to note that parents are the key decision makers in the movie's ratings. Therefore, there is an autonomous panel of parents who normally rate each movie before it is released to the market. The main function is to rate all motion pictures as they believe the mainstream of their fellow parents would rate the film. They usually take into account the controversial issues of sexuality, violence, profanity language among other related issues. The system seeks to provide flawless, succinct advanced information to parents about movie content so that they can decide the most suitable for their children while maintaining freedom of expression for moviemakers and their silver screen business (Motion Pictures Association of America, 2013).
The MPAA rating system has been the object of diverse and ongoing complaints. Some filmmakers believe system puts overwhelmingly prominent sexuality while permitting the depiction of colossal amounts of horrific violence. It's obvious that the system is biased and does not treat the two issues equally. Violence has been tolerated to the extreme. This can not be said for the issue of sexuality. In addition, the filmmakers argue that it's not fair because the system concentrates at inconsequential facets of a film. For instance, how many times a profane word has been used in a film instead of looking at the overall theme of the film?. More important, if the film believes portraying the impact of violence and sex, the use of profane words is in order. However, this is not considered by the rating system, hence, condemning an otherwise good film into oblivion There are several films that MPAA has rated controversially. However, the most recent one that has caused furor is the "Blue Valentine" produced by The Weinstein Company. The No Under 17 Admitted, popularly known as NC-17, was controversially delivered just because of a single sex scene between Michelle Williams and Gosling Ryan. Conversely, even though this scene did not carry any extreme sexual overtones or any other objectionable content, but it was simply slightly graphic and emotionally raw. Later on, an appeal was launched with Harvey Weinstein individually appearing before the appeals panel to implore on behalf of the movie. He was successful as the film went to the theatres with an R rating. The protest was valid since the sexual scene was not that extremely vulgar as to affect those under age
Show More

Related Documents: Film Ratings and the Motion Picture Association of America Essay

Essay Motion Picture Association of America Film Rating System and Movie Information Slide

information about each movie on a separate slide. Use the following criteria for creating your presentation.. Find an Internet site that has a listing of the current movies playing in local theaters. You may only use movies and pictures that are rated PG-13 and under. No pictures should have inappropriate content. All movies should have a release date in the year 2014. Create a title slide that has a word art title Now Playing on slide 1. Add footer with your name, now playing to all slides. On slide…

Words 314 - Pages 2

It Isn't 1970 Anymore: The MPAA and the Failing Ratings System Essay example

Failing Ratings System When speaking of those who live in America and see movies, chances are fairly high that they have a general overview of the ratings system. There’s G, PG, PG-13, R, and NC-17. What most people do not know, or understand, is how the ratings system actually works. Who makes these choices? There is always that green screen before trailers that says something about the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), but who are they? The MPAA is made up of the major film studios…

Words 1614 - Pages 7

Essay on Comm Study Guide

Exam 4 Study Guide Chapter 19 Describe the concept of culture. Defined as a social heritage of society- its total ‘design’ for conducting a collective live. Refers to what those people in society believe, do, use, or produce Describe the concept of society. A large number of living people who lead a common life interacting in various ways according to a pattern of social organization and usually in a defined spatial area Describe the concept of subculture. Focuses more on narrowly on the…

Words 2341 - Pages 10

Essay about Williams Tahir Assignment2

interest in its joint venture MTV Group Japan, and Paramount Pictures acquires DreamWorks LLC. Today Viacom owns a multitude of companies that make many products including: movies, TV shows, award shows among other things. Viacom may very well be the leader of entertainment on an international level simply due to the fact that the companies that they own are the leaders of their industries. Viacom is a global giant and through association with its parent company they have access to a numerous amount…

Words 1248 - Pages 5

Subscription Business Model Essay

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Founded by Reed Hastings in 1997, NetFlix Inc. is the largest online provider of DVD rentals in the U.S., offering monthly prepaid rental services and applying processes of online film search engine, ordering and direct mailing of DVDs to subscribers via the United States Postal Service. NetFlix’ innovative business model has to this point served as a competitive advantage helping to detract profits from competitors including Blockbuster Video and traditional “mom and pop” video…

Words 3342 - Pages 14

Netflix Essay

NetFlix.com, Inc. In July 2000, Reed Hastings, chairman and CEO of NetFlix.com, Inc., faced a critical decision. Three months earlier, following one of the worst episodes on record for the NASDAQ market, NetFlix had submitted its S-1 filing for its initial public offering (IPO).1 As a result of the market downturn, many Internet companies had been forced to withdraw their IPOs. Investment bankers indicated to Hastings that NetFlix would need to show positive cash flows within a twelve-month horizon…

Words 3766 - Pages 16

Case: Chester & Wayne Essay

Global Sustainability Eastman Kodak Company 2010 Annual Report TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Report Scope 3 Leadership Message 6 Company Profile 10 Goals 12 Performance Data 14 Compliance 15 Sustainability Framework 21 Governance 26 Innovation 31 Stewardship 41 Engagement 50 External Recognition 51 About the Photographs SCOPE OF REPORT SCOPE OF REPORT Kodak is pleased to present our fifth annual Global Sustainability Report, as well as our 21st public report to include health, safety and environmental…

Words 18757 - Pages 76

Managing Information Technology (7th Edition) Essay

affiliated with the Microsoft Corporation. Copyright ©2012, 2009, 2005, 2002, 1999 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Prentice Hall, One Lake Street, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458. All rights reserved. Manufactured in the United States of America. This publication is protected by Copyright, and permission should be obtained from the publisher prior to any prohibited reproduction, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying…

Words 239873 - Pages 960