I know I've stated this in a thread somewhere before, but I despise the MPAA. I despise all forms of censorship, with the possible exception of television and radio. However, when it comes to records and films, I believe that labels such as the parental advisory label and film ratings should be done away with.
This certainly affects films more than it does records. The MPAA has a strict chokehold on the film industry, and is in total control of the nature of the images that a film depicts. While an R rating still allows some room for commerical success, many R-rated films don't begin as such. Many have to be cut down from NC-17 ratings in order to achieve this opportunity for a wider release. This, in my opinion, is an impediment upon the filmmakers' artistic integrity and aesthetic appeal. There is a long list of films that have been negatively affected by this ratings system, and a great deal of material that the MPAA deems "objectionable" is often wiped from the final release, despite its potential importance and relevance to the story at hand. A filmmaker can choose to leave this material in his or her film; but then they run the risk of a very narrow market, limited advertising and a very limited release. This has a drastic negative impact on ticket sales.
I personally think that the ratings system should be abolished. However, I don't advocate total secrecy surrounding the contents of a film. For every film that is released, critics should be made to write reviews of the film concerning its subject matter and possible images or dialogue that parents might want restricted from their children. The films would not be rated, therefore would receive the same marketing budget and opportunities as any other film. However, parents and guardians would still be able to make informed, intelligent decisions regarding their children.
For the music industry this would be more difficult, I think. However, it is still possible, and the internet has made something of this sort much easier in today's world. In a world of limitless knowledge and online resources, I should think that it wouldn't be too difficult to establish a series of websites that review and describe the subject matter of the majority of records released all over the world.
Any other opinions on this? Anyone agree or disagree?
This certainly affects films more than it does records. The MPAA has a strict chokehold on the film industry, and is in total control of the nature of the images that a film depicts. While an R rating still allows some room for commerical success, many R-rated films don't begin as such. Many have to be cut down from NC-17 ratings in order to achieve this opportunity for a wider release. This, in my opinion, is an impediment upon the filmmakers' artistic integrity and aesthetic appeal. There is a long list of films that have been negatively affected by this ratings system, and a great deal of material that the MPAA deems "objectionable" is often wiped from the final release, despite its potential importance and relevance to the story at hand. A filmmaker can choose to leave this material in his or her film; but then they run the risk of a very narrow market, limited advertising and a very limited release. This has a drastic negative impact on ticket sales.
I personally think that the ratings system should be abolished. However, I don't advocate total secrecy surrounding the contents of a film. For every film that is released, critics should be made to write reviews of the film concerning its subject matter and possible images or dialogue that parents might want restricted from their children. The films would not be rated, therefore would receive the same marketing budget and opportunities as any other film. However, parents and guardians would still be able to make informed, intelligent decisions regarding their children.
For the music industry this would be more difficult, I think. However, it is still possible, and the internet has made something of this sort much easier in today's world. In a world of limitless knowledge and online resources, I should think that it wouldn't be too difficult to establish a series of websites that review and describe the subject matter of the majority of records released all over the world.
Any other opinions on this? Anyone agree or disagree?