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: MPAA n/a

​

​

                                                    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

​

                                                    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

​

                                                    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

                                                  

                                                   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.

​

                                                   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 $1,000.00!

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

TURNER HOME ENTERTAINMENT ~SHOWTIME NETWORKS INC. ~PRISM ENTERTAINMENT

FOX ~  LORBERHOLLANE 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

5variety and number of movie video cassettes available

6to the consumer for home use has significantly

7increased. This growth in the marketplace has resulted

8in some film makers and distributors choosing not to

9be subject to the voluntary rating system, putting the

10consumer in the position of being without the

11 guidance of such rating system in making rental or

12purchase decisions. The Legislature believes that the

13public has a right to be informed about movie video

14cassette ratings or the lack thereof in making rental or

15purchase decisions.

§61-8E-2. Definitions

1In this article, unless a different meaning is plainly

2required:

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

4ship, partnership or corporation;

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

6Motion Picture Association of America and the Film

7Advisory Board, Inc.; and

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

9copy 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

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

3does not have visibly and legibly displayed on the

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

5motion picture film has obtained no such rating, the

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

7(b) Any business entity which knowingly violates

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

9guilty of a misdemeanor and for a first offense

10conviction shall be fined not more than twenty-five

11dollars. A conviction for a second or subsequent

12offense shall subject the offender to a fine not to

13exceed one hundred dollars.