Ratings System History

Jack Valenti ( ) President of MPAA President of MPAA Created MPAA film ratings system Created MPAA film ratings system. 1968

Purposes for creating Ratings System An information service for the parents. An information service for the parents. It could be a guarantee that morally wholesome adult films would be produced for the public. It could be a guarantee that morally wholesome adult films would be produced for the public. forestall undesirable action by the states forestall undesirable action by the states

Early ratings system: G = General Audiences G = General Audiences M = Mature Audiences M = Mature Audiences GP = General Patronage PG = Parental Guidance R = Restricted (under 16 need parent; in 1970 changed under 17 need parent) R = Restricted (under 16 need parent; in 1970 changed under 17 need parent) X = unrated/not approved through MPAA (not originally synonymous with adult content as it is today) X = unrated/not approved through MPAA (not originally synonymous with adult content as it is today)

New ratings created: PG-13 (created in 1984 – reaction to Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Gremlins) PG-13 (created in 1984 – reaction to Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Gremlins) First film with a PG-13 rating was John Milius’s Red Dawn (1984) First film with a PG-13 rating was John Milius’s Red Dawn (1984) NC-17 (No Children Admitted under 17- created in 1990 – first applied to Henry and June) NC-17 (No Children Admitted under 17- created in 1990 – first applied to Henry and June)

Ratings System Criticism: It tries to be objective and quantitative, but subjectivity always comes in naturally It tries to be objective and quantitative, but subjectivity always comes in naturally “There are no guidelines…It’s all about how the thing feels.” “There are no guidelines…It’s all about how the thing feels.” For the first couple decades, the reasons behind a particular rating were not provided to public For the first couple decades, the reasons behind a particular rating were not provided to public Escalation syndrome (if it’s ok in one film, the next film matches and tries to push the envelope further) Escalation syndrome (if it’s ok in one film, the next film matches and tries to push the envelope further) Some say appeals are too easy Some say appeals are too easy “It’s censorship!!!” “It’s censorship!!!”

The Chairman of Board sets tone and political mentality of the group The Chairman of Board sets tone and political mentality of the group Until recently, many people complained that exhibitors were not enforcing the ratings Until recently, many people complained that exhibitors were not enforcing the ratings MPAA are “slaves” to the studio system because the studio system supplies money for MPAA. MPAA are “slaves” to the studio system because the studio system supplies money for MPAA. As a result, MPAA is harsher on Independent films. As a result, MPAA is harsher on Independent films. Treats some filmmakers differently. (i.e Steven Spielberg) Treats some filmmakers differently. (i.e Steven Spielberg) Saving Private Ryan (1998) More Ratings System Criticism:

Effects film box-office earnings Effects film box-office earnings R and NC-17 restrict a film’s audience R and NC-17 restrict a film’s audience Young kids Young kids Some theatres won’t play R and NC- 17 Some theatres won’t play R and NC- 17 Adults don’t like to see G and PG unless it’s targeted towards children. Adults don’t like to see G and PG unless it’s targeted towards children.

Support for current ratings Superior to the Hays Code because it shows more respect to the artists responsible for the films. Superior to the Hays Code because it shows more respect to the artists responsible for the films. Less censorship than Hays code Less censorship than Hays code Self imposed / voluntary Self imposed / voluntary Prevents government regulation Prevents government regulation