I would like to see this implemented for the TAP prints. I say reel 1 should be:
LEADER
ATTACHED TRAILER
5 FEET MINIMUM OF BLACK (oh please pay attention to that one you lab guys!)
MPAA RATING STAMP
TAP STAMP
FEATURE

In this fashion not only would the patrons know the rating before the feature started, but they would be reminded to complain to the management if there are any problems and to call TAP after the movie. Just putting the TAP stamp at the end of the credits is not enough to truly get the most out of TAP controlled releases.

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How about "This film should be projected properly. If it isn't, please bring your drink and popcorn cups out of the theatre and spill the contents directly in front of the boxoffice as a warning to other customers." (Just kidding)

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I do agree that the "nudity, violence, etc" part of the rating stamp is not needed and would be best if left out of the beginning slate. However, the end slate should STILL be left in tact and not removed completely. The reasoning for the rating can be placed there, at the end of the movie.

On the TAP stamp, I would definitely like for the lettering to cover the majority of the screen and be a reference for focusing. There should even be a line about the lettering being in focus. Also and very important, the TAP stamp should have some easily referenced center framing mark and CLEAR frame lines with a notation such as "if you see clear lines at the top and bottom of the screen, please report the misframing to the projectionist immediately". One step better would be to print on the analog sound track "this movie is not being presented in digital sound", whereas all 3 digital formats can have "this movie is being presented in Dolby Digital (or SDDS or DTS...whatever it is) sound" on the appropriate tracks. NO MORE FALSE ADVERTISING! But why stop there? Place the text over a bright yellow colored background and it could serve as scratch and dirt examination demo too.

TAP could do an immense amount of good to presentations in general if they could get such ideas to fly. But are the studios interested?

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Let's separate the men from the boys!

BTW do you're trailers have separate ratings like we do over here where you can have a "PG trailer for a 18 film"

Also do you have to display an explanation of what the ratings mean at the box office?

I would love our TAP tag at the head of a film... unfortunately, the studios want it at the end, if they want it at all. There is still a debate about how much control Distribution should have over Exhibition, and our end credit tag "1-800 PHONE THX" is one that crosses those lines. If I was the director and a theatre played my film improperly, I'd want the studio all over them... and when there are complaints, the studio does get involved. However, exhibition does have a responsibility to their patrons, a quality presentation, and we're there to help give the audience a voice when that's not the case.

But at the head of the film... who do we think we are, ScreenCheck?

I do agree that the rating tags at the head rather than the tail is a trend that needs to be thoroughly adapted... and soon, it probably will.

And I loved Jerry Chase's suggestion about the popcorn and drinks... I may have to put him in touch with our marketing people.

All the best,

Dick V: A Loews megaplex near me has a one-sheet framed by the box office to explain the US ratings code. Since the one-sheet doesn't have any corporate logos it might be provided by the MPAA.

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