The MPAA Thinks You're Stupid

The MPAA Thinks You’re Stupid

Posted on July 22, 2008 in Marketing | No Comments

For years, the MPAA has prohibited weapons from being pointed at the “viewer” in advertising, presumably for fear that it will freak them out. That’s why they told the director of Watchmen, Zack Snyder, that he couldn’t have a guy pointing a gun at the audience in the trailer. Snyder replaced the gun with a walkie-talkie. Good job, MPAA.

…Legend has it that at the first screenings of The Great Train Robbery, the movie that is considered to be the first narrative film, audiences ducked and ran for cover when the on-screen bandits turned their guns toward the camera and began shooting–which is understandable. After all, The Great Train Robbery came out in 1903, a time when people had limited exposure to both moving pictures and quiet dignity (as well as bluetooth technology–which is the best technology).

— A.V. Club | Read The Full Article