Where Does the Film Rating System Come From?
A movie, also known as a movie script, a short movie, video, short film or short motion picture, is basically a creative work of visually graphic art, usually intended for release in the form of an independent movie or documentary, that conveys specific ideas, stories, senses, emotions, beauty, or setting through the employment of moving images. Movies are of various genres and depict many subjects, themes or ideas. They can be dramas, comedies, action, horror, comedy, science fiction, action, horror, fantasy, and others. The plots of movies vary from story to story and from frame to frame. However, all movies share a basic plot of an ensemble of characters pursuing a common goal, coming across a shocking ending, or fighting a superior opponent.
The term “movie” is French and literally means “wild thing”. Movie critics and experts have created a new term, the “novelty meter”, to rate movies based on their content and how it affects the reader or viewer. Movie plots and characters are rated on a scale ranging from very light, realistic-to-vulgar violence, to extremely heavy or gory violence.
Cinema, motion pictures and television have been enjoyed by audiences around the world since its beginnings more than a century ago. Movies today, both the old and the new, are an integral part of our lives. We go to the movies to escape the real world and create a dream world. For movie watchers, a good movie is one that evokes a realistic set of circumstances and characters with compelling plot lines, action, and suspense. The ability of a movie to entertain viewers is determined largely by its ratings with the Film Rating Board.
The rating system was invented by the Associated Press, or the AP, in 1947 as a way to classify motion pictures for the public. The system has changed over the years to include current films as well as films from other countries. The most popular film genres are Drama, Comedy, Romance, Science Fiction and Horror. The types of films fall into two main categories: Box Office Smoker, which are blockbusters that gross more than $1 million dollars; and Grossing Gainer, which are comedies that gross more than a billion dollars worldwide. These statistics are important to movie producers and studio executives because they allow them to predict what kind of ratings they will receive for their particular movie.
The purpose of the Film Rating System is to inform viewers about the subject matter and themes contained in motion pictures. Initially, the Film Rating System was simply a list of the top ten best films during any given year. As time went on, the system was revised to incorporate worldwide box office earnings and certified fresh movies that had not been released in the United States. Today, the PG (PGA) rating system covers motion pictures that are intended for only adults, and the R (Rated) rating system covers pictures that are intended for teens and children. The signatures on the letters “R” and “PG” have been verified by the National Association of Film Editors and the Motion Picture Association of America.
Even though there is no official category for a film, movie ratings seem to always be based on at least one letter. This might be a marketing strategy used to gain attention for a new film. It could also come down to the audience preferences. Movie audiences tend to rate movies on a scale of one to five with “tremendous” being a higher number than “mediocre”. With this in mind, it would make sense to post films as “rated blockbuster” or “yet rated”, so that movie goers can be assured they are seeing a legitimate picture.