Film Advisory Board, Inc.

		FilmAdvisoryBoard.org

Award of Excellence

FAB Rating System

Ratings: C | F | PD | PD-M | EM | AO | View All

The Film Advisory Board (FAB) Rating System began in 1974 when Elayne Blythe was the first to use the symbols (L / V / N / S – Language / Violence / Nudity / Sex). In 1975 these symbols were included in Film Advisory Board's "Articles of Incorporation" and are now widely used by other organizations. The FAB Rating System is the only "official" rating system other than the MPAA and was the "first" system to reveal contents - 1988. The ratings are meant to advise, not to censor.

The Film Advisory Board has six basic ratings


	Description:	CHILDREN - Ages 10 and Under
	Content Description:	n/a
	MPAA Equivalent:	n/a


	Description:	FAMILY - All Ages
	Content Description:	In some cases, as in historical pieces, may state 'violence in battle scenes' or 'frightening for younger children'.
	MPAA Equivalent:	G


	Description:	PARENTAL DESCRETION - Content Description Implies Age Suitablility PD replaces M = Mature. Content Descriptions remain the same.
	Content Description:	May state 'sexual innuendos / mild language / violence / substance abuse / some intense scenes'.
	MPAA Equivalent:	PG


	Description:	PARENTAL DESCRETION MATURE - Ages 13 and Over PD-M replaces VM = Very Mature. Content Descriptions remain the same.
	Content Description:	May state 'brief nudity / sexual situations / strong language / violence'.
	MPAA Equivalent:	PG-13


	Description:	EXTREMELY MATURE - Ages 17 and Over
	Content Description:	May state 'frontal nudity / sex / strong language / violence'.
	MPAA Equivalent:	R or NC-17 dependent upon content description.


	Description:	ADULTS ONLY - Ages 18 and Over
	Content Description:	May state 'explicit sex and language / erotica / extreme nudity'.
	MPAA Equivalent:	Equivalent to the 'X' rating for pornography. Content description may read 'male and female frontal nudity, explicit sex acts with penetration'.AO Rating Meaning Modified 3/03. Was originally listed as an equivalent to the MPAA's NC-17.

Additional Content Descriptions may include:
Mild Language Strong Language Nudity Brief Nudity	Violence Graphic Violence Violence in fight/war scenes Frightening for younger children	Sex Erotica Sexual talk Implied sex	Explicit sex Some sex scenes Sexual innuendos Substance abuse

The Film Advisory Board Rating System for films is the only "Official" professional rating system other than the MPAA… so why are "Direct-to-video" production companies wasting time and money?

FAB's Rating System is COST and TIME EFFECTIVE with rating services based on running time…NOT negative costs! As an example, a 90 minute film rating cost just $1,500.00!

Our rating system is featured on Videos / Films / Tele-Features from:

TURNER HOME ENTERTAINMENT SHOWTIME NETWORKS INC. PRISM ENTERTAINMENT

FOX / LORBER HOLLANE CORPORATION CITY LIGHTS

QUEST ENTERTAINMENT ATLANTIC RELEASING CORP. VIDMARK / TRIMARK

MUTUAL GENERAL FILMS TRIBORO ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVE HOME VIDEO

ACADEMY ENTERTAINMENT CINETRUST REPUBLIC PICTURES

INDY VIDEO ASSOCIATES GOODTIMES HOME VIDEO VIVID VISUALS VIDEO

IMPERIAL ENTERTAINMENT MONARCH HOME VIDEO …AND OTHERS

CINEVEST ENTERTAINMENT

SENATE BILL #184 W. VIRGINIA PASSED MARCH 1990

Enr. Com. Sub. for S.B. No. 184] 2

5 variety and number of movie video cassettes available

6 to the consumer for home use has significantly

7 increased. This growth in the marketplace has resulted

8 in some film makers and distributors choosing not to

9 be subject to the voluntary rating system, putting the

10 consumer in the position of being wihtout the guid-

11 ance of such rating system in making rental or

12 purchase decisions. The Legislature believes that the

13 public has a right to be informed about movie video

14 cassette ratings or the lack thereof in making rental or

15 purchase decisions.

§61-8E-2. Definitions

1 In this article, unless a different meaning is palinly

2 required:

3 (1) "Business entity" means any sole proprietor-

4 ship, partnership or corporation;

5 (2) "Official rating" means an official rating of the

6 Motion Picture Association of America and the Film

7 Advisory Board, Inc.; and

8 (3) "Video movie" means a video tape or video disc

9 copy of a motion picture film.

§61-8E-3. Labeling of video movies designated for sale or rental; penalties.

1 (a) No business entity in this state shall sell, offer

2 for sale, rent, or offer for rent, any video movie which

3 does not have visibly and legibly displayed on the

4 cassette case or jacket, an official rating or, if the

5 motion picture film has obtained no such rating, the

6 designation "NOT RATED" or "N.R.".

7 (b) Any business entity which knowingly violates

8 the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall be

9 guilty of a misdemeanor and for a first offense

10 conviction shall be fined not more than twenty-five

11 dollars. A conviction for a second or subsequent

12 offense shall subject the offender to a fine not to

13 exceed one hundred dollars.