While reading the section, “The Rise and Fall of the Classical Hollywood Studio System” I found it interesting that in order to understand the studio system in today’s Hollywood we must understand its earlier development. We must trace back to its roots in the 1920’s through the 1940’s. This was when the “studio system” crucially depended on vertical integration production, distribution, and integration. After reading some of the article it was fascinating to see where the film world had started and has evolved to.

In class we watched a film called “This Film is Not Yet Rated.” I found this film very interesting because it sheds light on issues in the film industry that I was not aware of. The MPAA is a highly secretive company that is in charge of giving media their ratings. What struck me was the lack of equality that the system of ratings follows. What I mean by this is that a sex scene between a man and woman would be deemed acceptable, but a sex scene between two people of the same gender would be given the NC-17 rating. This was surprising to me, especially in today’s age, because of the growing acceptance among society. Along with this, there is a problem when it comes to female pleasure and the length of the scenes. It is more acceptable to view a male orgasm versus a female, which makes no sense. People are afraid of female pleasure. This made me angry because women are still being treated unfairly, even in the means of sex. Why are women’s bodies such a sensitive matter? When a producers asks the MPAA why they have received that rating they are unable to give an answer or provide an answer that is not fair.

Much of the reasoning behind the ratings for particular sex scenes was a fear that it would give a younger audience the wrong ideas and impressions. Ratings were based off what a parent would want their children watching. Rating movies this way is not reasonable because it is saying that all parents have the same views on what they should and should not allow their child to watch. I feel that solid rules need to be put in place that do not favor one gender or sexual orientation over the other. Why is one more “appropriate” than the other?

I believe that allowing particular media to be filmed and allowed is important. The child and parent should be able to decide for themselves whether the film is okay to watch. Film and media are spreading as technology grows and it is important that kids are kept up to speed on what is happening so that they can be better prepared for the future.