By Ray Pride Pride@moviecitynews.com
Knowing Dick: re-rating the MPAA
No, no, no, we never take advice, we never react, we are the sons of Jack Valenti, you’d think the MPAA would say in re: the ratings system, but it looks like Kirby Dick’s bullhorn got heard. In the wake of This Film is Not Yet Rated, writes Variety’s Pamela McClintock, the MPAA will be at Sundance tub-thumpingchanges to the film rating system that incorporate many of the suggestions in Dick’s doc. “Looking to reform and demystify the ratings system, the MPAA and National Assn. of Theater Owners are planning… changes, including a new admonishment to parents that certain R-rated movies aren’t suitable for younger kids, period.” The surge starts Monday at Sundance “when MPAA topper Dan Glickman and Joan Graves, chair of the Classification & Rating Administration, will meet with indie filmmakers, producers and specialty arm execs to go over the alterations.” When This Film was shown at Sundance 2006, McClintock avers, “Glickman had already been meeting with… various stakeholders [sic] in the ratings system—including filmmakers, guilds, parents’ groups and Washington lawmakers—but Dick’s film had an impact. “The documentary made it clear that we probably haven’t done as much as we can to explain how it all works,” Glickman [said], adding that the voluntary ratings system—devised and implemented by Jack Valenti, his predecessor—is a “gem,” even if it needs some polishing.” [Much like apples.] For the first time, CARA will post the ratings rules on the MPAA Web site, describing… The ratings and appeal processes also will be described in detail, along with a link to paperwork needed to submit a film for a rating… CARA will formalize its rule that a member of the ratings board doesn’t stay on the board after his or her children are grown.” [More particulars at the link.]