Question 3

Due by 7/5, 6 PM

A common controversy concerning the Motion Picture Association of America’s rating system is that the process itself is prone to bias since a small number of people rate film content. Since ratings directly influence box office, with most theaters refusing to show certain ratings, many filmmakers worry that such biases could affect their marketability.

Consider some of the following questions: What biases might appear in the MPAA rating process itself? Are these biases understandable? What biases specifically appear in the provided evidence below? Are the critics of these supposed biases being fair?

To contemplate some of these questions, you MUST employ Leff's Dame in the Kimono (which is a Xerox of its final chapter outline the history of the MPAA ratings and some controversies).

Then, select at least TWO of the following to also use as evidence in this post.

1. A CNN interview with director Kirby Dick, who made the film The Film is Not Yet Rated, which is very critical of the MPAA ratings process. Available here.
2. Online interview with Dan Glickman, current head of the MPAA (just watch the first 16 minutes on the rating process). Available here.
3. “Crosstalk: Does The MPAA Ratings Board Get a Bad Rap?” by Noel Murray and Scott Tobias - available online here. (Be sure to read both pages 1 and 2).
4. You might also want to take a look at the MPAA website.