Rating

[DaveD]

I'm currently on the verge of putting out a feature. I wasn't sure what indie protocall was on ratings. Obviously I'm not going to have the MPAA rate it, but I've seen films before that have been YR and other non-MPAA ratings.

My film, though mild, would probably be rated R due to language. Am I legally obligated to warn viewers of the adult material? On the film side, since I feel slightly morally obligated to warn viewers, can I stick some sort of non-MPAA rating on there?

 

[mjjason]

Not an expert here but I guess you can go the not rated route but that will likely restrict sales avenues as many companies and sites conside NR as unacceptable.

 

[Bob Gruen]

There is no legal obligation. The reason the industry created the MPAA was to show the government that it could police itself. The government agreed to this and the system has been slowly grown more liberal with what they will allow over the years. (Transformers, PG-13?) Every once in a while someone pushes the limit and a bunch of parents complain, but there is no real threat of legislation.

In the case of the independent filmmaker its really between you and your distributor. If you want to put a parental warning on the box you can. You may look up the MPAA rating criteria and state something like: "Although this film was NOT rated by the MPAA it does conform to the MPAA R Rating definition for the year 200?" As long as it is a truthful statement you should be fine (just don't put it in a rating box or try to make it look official in any other way).

Bob

 

[dory_breaux]

Just do what Bob suggested. And be honist.

 

[seunosewa]

. You may look up the MPAA rating criteria and state something like: "Although this film was NOT rated by the MPAA it does conform to the MPAA R Rating definition for the year 200?" As long as it is a truthful statement you should be fine (just don't put it in a rating box or try to make it look official in any other way).

This won't fly. I don't think you can use the MPAA name to promote your product directly or indirectly without infringing on their trademarks.