Study Questions below are from online readings.

Links are available on Blackboard in the EXTERNAL LINKS section > About Media Ratings (folder). Please add extra space between the questions as needed to type an adequate answer. 1. What is the MPAA? A group of six of the major U.S. Motion picture studios (Disney, Paramount, Sony, Fox, Universal, and Warner Bros.) The MPAA advances these business's interests and administers the MPAA film rating system. They are also not too fond of pirates, whether by sea or network. 2. When was it founded and who are its members? The MPAA was founded in 1922, with its members being listed in the above answer. 3. Who decides the movie ratings? What are the factors that they consider for the various categories? (also see filmratings.com) An independent board of parents rates the film, which takes into account sexuality, violence, language, and other things.

4.

Why are intellectual property rights important to the movie industry? This should be obvious, wouldn't you be mad if someone was stealing your work and profiting from it?

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Are the ratings mandatory for filmmakers? They are if you want to make any money off your film, otherwise say bye-bye to having a film screened in any regular theater.

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What happens if a filmmaker disagrees with the rating given to his/her film? Tough luck, unless you're part of the Big Six which grants you more leniency.

7.

List the TV rating categories.

TV-Y means ages 0 and up, TV-Y7 means 7 and older, TV-Y7FV means 7 and older but with fantasy violence involved, TV-G means general audience (fun for everyone), TV-PG is the suggestion of parental guidance with modifiers DLSV (dialogue, language, sexual situations, and violence), TV-14 is, you guessed it, 14 or older with the same DLSV modifiers, and finally TV-MA which is for the 17 or older crowd, with the same DLSV modifier again.