Part 3 The Academy Awards 奥斯卡金像奖

The Oscars! Every January, when the calendar has turned to a new year, the attention of the entertainment community and of film fans around the world turns to the upcoming Academy Awards. Oscar Fever hits, building to the crescendo of the annual presentation of golden statuettes, when hundreds of millions of cinema lovers glue themselves to their television sets to learn who will receive the highest honor in filmmaking.

After three-quarters of a century of recognizing excellence in cinema achievement, the annual presentation of the Oscars has become the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' most famous activity.

The Academy Awards Presentation is also the activity that enables the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to maintain its varied year-round calendar of programs and events and a wide-ranging educational and cultural agenda.

When the first Academy Awards were handed out on May 16, 1929, movies had just begun to talk.

That first Awards ceremony took place during a banquet held in the Blossom Room of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. The attendance was 250 and tickets cost $10.

In 1966, the Oscars were first broadcast in color. From 1971 through 1975 the NBC-TV network carried the Awards. ABC has telecast the show since 1976 and is under contract through 2008.

The first statuette ever presented went to Emil Jannings, who was named best actor for his roles in "The Last Command" and "The Way of All Flesh." That first year, 1929, 15 statuettes were awarded, all of them to men except for Janet Gaynor. In the second year, the number of awards was reduced to seven - two for acting and one each for Best Picture, Directing, Writing, Cinematography and Art Direction. Since then, the Awards Presentations have grown slowly, but steadily, not only in audience count, but in the fields of achievement covered.

Today regular awards are presented for outstanding individual or collective efforts of the year in up to 25 categories.

All voting for Academy Awards is conducted by secret ballot and tabulated by the international auditing firm of Pricewaterhouse Coopers. Secrecy is maintained by the auditors - the results of balloting are not revealed until the now-famous envelopes are opened on stage during the live television program. Because the Academy numbers among its members the ablest artists and craftsmen in the motion picture world, the Oscar represents the best achievements of the year in the opinion of those who themselves reside at the top of their craft.

Up to five nominations are made in categories with balloting for these nominations restricted to members of the Academy branch concerned; film editors, for instance, nominate only for Achievement in Film Editing. All voting members may nominate for Best Picture. Awards also are given to the Best Foreign Language film of the Year, a category not represented by a branch. Nominations for awards in this categories are made by a large committee of members drawn from all branches. Final winners are determined by vote of all eligible members.

In addition to the regular annual awards conferred by vote of the membership, the Board of Governors is empowered to vote Scientific and Technical Awards, Honorary Awards, Special Achievement Awards and other honors. Among these is the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, a bronze bust of the legendary producer, which is given to "a creative producer who has been responsible for a consistently high quality of motion picture production." It is considered the highest accolade a producer can receive. The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, an Oscar statuette, is given to "an individual in the motion picture industry whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry." The Gordon E. Sawyer Award, also an Oscar statuette, is given to "an individual in the motion picture industry whose technological contributions have brought credit to the industry."

Now let's say something about the Oscar Statuette. It's been called "the Academy statuette," "the golden trophy" and "the statue of merit." The entertainment trade paper, Weekly Variety, even attempted to popularize "the iron man." Thankfully, the term never stuck. Born in 1928, the Academy Award of Merit — which we know as simply "the Oscar" — depicts a knight holding a crusader's sword, standing on a reel of film with five spokes, signifying the original branches of the Academy: Actors, Writers, Directors, Producers and Technicians.

Weighing 8.5 pounds and standing 13.5 inches tall, the statuette was designed by MGM's chief art director Cedric Gibbons. Frederic Hope, Gibbons' assistant, created the original Belgian black marble base; artist George Stanley sculpted the design; and the California Bronze Foundry hand cast the first statuette in bronze plated with 24-karat gold.

Then where does the Oscar name come from?A popular but unsubstantiated story has been that the moniker caught on after Academy librarian and eventual executive director Margaret Herrick said that the statuette resembled her Uncle Oscar. Its first documented mention came after the sixth Awards Presentation in 1934 when Hollywood columnist Sidney Skolsky used it in reference to Katharine Hepburn's first Best Actress win. The Academy itself didn't use the nickname officially until 1939.

Oscar has changed his look on occasion. In the 1930s, juvenile players received miniature replicas of the statuette; ventriloquist Edgar Bergen was presented with a wooden statuette with a moveable mouth; and Walt Disney was honored with one full-size and seven miniature statuettes on behalf of his animated feature SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS. In support of the World War II effort between 1942 and 1944, Oscars were made of plaster, to be traded in for golden statuettes after the war. Additionally, the base was raised and changed from marble to metal in 1945. And in 1949, Academy Award statuettes began to be numbered, starting with No. 501.

在全球名目繁多的电影奖项中，恐怕没有什么比奥斯卡的名气更大，历史更长的了。每年颁奖典礼进行时全球都会有超过2亿人观看现场的演出，都会有无数的明星从世界各地赶到这里来参加这个盛会。

综观奥斯卡73年的历史，你会感受到电影艺术和艺术的进步，你可以看到奥斯卡在世界电影工业中的重要地位。

1920年代，美国电影制片业已经在南加州奠基生根，以洛杉矶为中心的九大公司：华纳、哥伦比亚、雷电华、共和、派拉蒙、米高梅、联美、福斯、环球等纷纷成立，影片不断地生产，无论美国国内或国外都普受欢迎，各大公司为了拍片需要，又希望以最廉价的薪资掌握属下，以赚取更多利润，而演职员却希望得到更高的待遇，因此，导演及演员们都有成立工会的意图。影片公司老板们深恐一旦工会成立，有了组织便难以驾驭，于是由米高梅翁吾总裁路易·梅耶创议之下，于一九二六年十一月成立了美国影艺学院，也就是Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences ）。

虽然梅耶率先创立影艺学院的目的别有所图，可是多数的会员们却有更高的理想：期望影艺学院能够促进电影艺术与科学的水准，加强业者在技巧和经验方面的心得交流，改良摄制电影的器材及设备，鼓励和奖当优秀的从业人员，故而日后一年一度的奥斯卡颁奖典礼便产生，乃是由首任主席道格拉斯·范朋克提出，获得董事们的热烈附议，并于一九二八年七月由专案小组研拟出会员们的投票办法，经过董事们讨论通过，先产生提名名单，再投票选出得奖者，这套提名（ Nomination）制度，日后一直沿用，并被全世界许多影展模仿采用。是奥斯卡最大特色之一。

奥斯卡金像奖（Oscar Awards）的正式名称叫“电影艺术与科学学院奖”(Academy Awards)，奥斯卡只是一个名称，这个名称的来历说法不一，较为可信的是，一九三一年，电影艺术与科学学院图书馆的女管理员玛格丽特·赫里奇在仔细端详了金像奖座之后，惊呼道：“啊！他看上去真像我的叔叔奥斯卡”！隔壁的新闻记者听后写道：“艺术与科学院的工作人员深情地称呼他们的金塑像为奥斯卡。”从此，这一别名不胫而走。

奥斯卡奖杯的主体为一座13.5英寸重3.9千克的镀金男像，由美国著名的雕塑家乔治·斯坦利设计。按照奥斯卡奖有关的评选规则，一项奖的获得者只能领取一个金像奖座，如果一项奖有两个人共获，则应分别授予他们每人一个金像奖座。

金像奖的样子是裸体男子，双手交叉于胸前，握着一把长剑，站在一个五环片盘上，每一个环代表影艺学院的一项重要工作部门：制片、导演、编剧、演员、技术人员，最初的奖座由梅耶拨出五百美金交给乔治·史丹利制作，奖座高十三寸半，重六又四分之三磅，内里是合金，外表银上一层金色薄片，看起来闪闪发光，所以称为金像奖。金像奖图样的设计是出自赛赘克·吉朋斯，当时在米高梅公司担任美术师。

奥斯卡金像奖从一九二九年开始，每年评选、颁发一次，从未间断过。凡上一年一月一日至十二月三十一日上演的影片均可参加评选。金像奖的评选经过两轮投票，第一轮是提名投票，先由学院下属各部门负责提名（采用记名方式），获得提名的影片，将在学院本部轮流放映，观后学院的所有会员再进行第二轮投票（采用不记名方式），最后以得票的多少决定影片的获奖。

获奖名单是高度保密的。学院会员投票后，选票全交美国的普莱斯一沃特豪斯会计事务所加以统计。选票放在保险箱内，荷枪实弹的警卫人员日夜守护。统计后的用纸则全部烧毁，绝对保密。各项获奖名单，分别装入密封的各个信袋，直到颁奖当日当刻，由司仪当众拆封宣布。

首届奥斯卡颁奖的项目跟现在不同，只有七项：①最佳影片 ②最佳男演员 ③最佳女演员 ④最佳导演 ⑤最佳编剧 ⑥最佳摄影 ⑦最佳美术设计。以及另外两项特别奖：艺术品质奖及技术效果奖，但这两项只颁了一次，第二届就取消了。首届的金像奖得主在一九二九年二月十八日产生，于五月十六日在好莱坞罗斯福大饭店颁奖，出席人数约二百五十位。

奥斯卡奖项设置

奥斯卡奖可分成就奖和特别奖及科学技术奖三大类。成就奖主要包括最佳影片、最佳剧本、最佳导演、最佳表演（男女主、配角）、最佳摄影、最佳美工、最佳音乐、最佳剪辑、最佳服装设计、最佳化妆、最佳短片、最佳纪录片、最佳外国语影片等。特别奖则有荣誉奖、欧文·撒尔伯格纪念奖、琼·赫肖尔特人道主义奖、科技成果奖和特别成就奖。

在上述众多奖之中，最具影响的为最佳影片奖，而最佳男女角奖属表演主奖，获奖人有“影帝”与“影后”之称，是男女演员们凯觎的殊荣。前十九届奥斯卡奖只评美国影片，从第二十届起，才在特别奖中设最佳外语片奖。其参选影片必须是上一年十一月一日至下一年十月三十一日在某国商业性影院公映的大型故事片。每个国家只选送一部影片，这部影片由该国的电影组织或审查委员会推荐，且须加盖英文字幕，送交学院外国片委员会审查。然后进行秘密投票选出五部提名影片。观摩完五部影片后，再由四千名美国影界权威人士组成的评审委员会，选出一部最佳外国语片。

该项奖只授予作品，而不授予个人。从一九四七年起至一九九三年，意大利获奖十次，法国获奖七次，瑞典获奖四次，日本，前苏联和联邦德国各获奖三次。

最佳影片奖（BEST FILM AWARD）
该奖从第1届起到73届为止，一直未有变动，只是提名影片的数目有多有少。最多的是第7届，被提名的影片一共有12部。第5至第16届，提名片都在10部以上。此后每届最佳影片都从5部提名影片中评出。

最佳表演奖（BEST PERFOMANCE AWARD）
该奖项分最佳男主角、女主角奖和最佳男配角、女配角奖4项。最佳表演奖最早只设有男、女主角奖两项，从1936年第9届起才设有男、女配角奖。

最佳导演奖（BEST DIRECTOR AWARD）
该奖由美国导演公会的全体会员提名，由电影艺术与科学学院的导演部门现任会员最后投票选举。

最佳剧本奖（BEST SCREENPLAY AWARD）
该奖项又分为创作剧本奖与改编剧本奖两项，它们的提名与最后投票选举均与最佳导演奖相同。经历几次变动之后，从1957年度起，剧本奖改为“最佳创作剧本”奖和“最佳改编剧本”奖。

最佳摄影奖（BEST CINEAMATOGAPHY AWARD）
该奖项50多年来并无多大的变动，在1938年度第11届之前，仅设一项摄影奖。从1939年到1956年，分为黑白与彩色两项。到1957年两者合并为一项摄影奖。次年又分为黑白和彩色两项。到1967年，由于黑白片产量巨减，上述分类逐渐被取消。从那时起，摄影奖只设一项。

最佳音响奖（BEST SOUND AWARD）
该奖项从第1届至第30届期间，一律称为录音奖。自1958年第30届起，改为音响奖。

最佳音乐奖（BEST SCORE AWARD）
由于美国的公众崇尚歌舞，在奥斯卡的各奖项中是比较突出的。该奖项又分为最佳作曲、最佳配乐、最佳歌曲等3项。其中歌曲分项从1934年设立以来，一直未变。它授予的对象是为大型故事片创作的一首主题歌，包括词与配曲。

最佳美工奖（BEST ART DIRECTION-SET DECORATION AWARD）
最佳美工奖全称最佳艺术指导——布景装置奖，所谓艺术指导，是指影片的布景、道具等设计。该奖一度有黑白彩色之分，但1967年起两奖合并，仅设一项。

最佳视觉效果奖（BEST VISUAL EFFECTS AWARD）
该奖项授予利用机械、电子技术、光学处理与动画等制造视觉效果上有突出成绩者。该奖项始于1939年，从1963年起，它分为视觉效果奖和音响效果奖。音响效果奖到1968年时才被废除，从而只剩下视觉效果奖一项。

最佳服装设计奖（BEST COSTUME DESIGN AWARD）
该奖项由具有艺术指导部门会员资格的服装设计师进行预选、提名与最后投票。服装设计奖从1948年设立以来，基本上没有多大的变化。只是在1957年之前有黑白与彩色之分。后来几经分合，自1967年起合并为服装设计奖一项。

最佳剪辑奖（BEST EDITING AWARD）
该奖项从1934年设立以来，一直没有变动。其评选方法与摄影奖相同。从第52届起，又出现最佳音响剪辑奖和最佳音响效果剪辑奖。

最佳化妆奖（BEST MAKE-UP AWARD）
该奖项从第54届开始设置。

最佳外语片奖（BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM AWARD）
该奖项授予非英语国家制作的大型有声故事片。但一个国家只能提名一部。评选提名作品用秘密投票方式进行，每届提名5部，被提名者可派一名代表参加颁奖仪式。英语国家的影片均不许参加该项评选。

最佳短片奖（BEST SHORT SUBJECTS AWARD）
该奖项授予的是指长度不到3千英尺的35MM影片。现分动画短片和真人真事短片两项。

最佳记录片奖（BEST DOCUMENTARY AWARD）
该奖项分为长记录片奖和短记录片奖两项。前者授予长度超过3千英尺的35mm,16mm或70mm记录片；后者授予长度不到3千英尺的35mm,16mm或70mm记录片。按照规定，这三种长、短记录片必须反映文化、艺术、历史、社会、科学、经济或其他领域内的重大题材，而且拍真人真事。该奖项是由记录片奖评审委员会在审查了所有参赛影片后，评选出3-5部长、短记录片作为最后的提名影片。

荣誉奖（HONORARY AWARD）
荣誉奖是所有特别奖中比较重要的一项。它的前身是特别奖，创于第1届。从1950年开始，易名为荣誉奖。该奖授予在电影制作方面有杰出贡献或长期为电影艺术与科学学院进行卓有成效活动的个体或团体。

欧文·撒尔伯格纪念奖（IRVING G THALBERG MEMORIAL AWARD）
欧文·撒尔伯格（1899～1936），好莱坞著名制片人，曾监制不少名片。37岁去世，学院特地设立以他的名字命名的纪念奖。该奖项从1937年设立以来，一直没有变动。他由学院理事会决定，授予“一贯从事电影制作并发挥高度才能”的制片人。规定每届只有一名获奖人，而且只有完全够条件才能获选。曾有几届因没有合适人选而空缺。

琼·赫肖尔特人道主义奖（JEAN HERSHOLT HUMANITARIAN AWARD）
琼·赫肖尔特（1886～1956），学院创始人之一，曾任第11届院长，为使学院摆脱困境曾做出巨大的努力。为了纪念他特设此奖，此奖项从1956年创设以来，一直没有变动。它由学院理事会决定，授予“为给电影事业带来信誉而做出人道主义努力的电影事业人士”，规定每届只有一名获奖者，而且只有完全够条件者才能评上，曾有几届因为没有合适的人选而空缺。

特别成就奖（SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD）
该奖项设立于1972年。那时，科幻片、灾难片、动作片日益增多，为了表彰他们在视觉效果和音响方面的革新成就而特设此奖。起先仅视觉效果成就奖一项，后来又增设音响成就奖。但每届不一定两者都评出，而且每一分项的获得者也会有多名。

科技成果奖（SCIENTIFIC OR TECHNICAL AWARD）
该奖项从1930--1931年第四届创设以来，一直没有变动。它授予的对象包括对电影艺术与电影科技有特别价值，并在电影产业中采用先进的工艺、公式、发明与发现的影片。 该奖项又分为一、二、三等奖。

不颁发金像的奥斯卡奖
不颁发“小金人”的奥斯卡奖有下列几种：艾文陶柏奖、金赫休特人员精神奖、科学技术奖。艾文陶柏奖是为了纪念1973年英年早逝的米高梅公司大制片家艾文陶柏而设立的特别奖，主要是颁给功绩卓着的制片或导演，尤其是杰出成就早已受到肯定，却始终与“小金人”无缘的电影人，例如1967年（第40届）颁给希区考克、1986年（第59届）颁给史蒂芬史匹柏，都意味着影艺学院对他们深深的歉意，艾文陶柏奖的奖座是以艾文陶柏的头部雕像为外型。而这些特别奖则是另外成立授奖委员会决定得奖人选。

金像奖之最

获得最多奥斯卡奖者：
华德秋斯奈，总共得到26座正规奖项和6座特别奖。

单一影片获奖最多者：
1959年的《宾虚传》，共计获得十一项。
1998年的《泰坦尼克号》，共计获得十一项。 　　

获提名最多项目却全部落榜者：
分别为《转折点》和《紫色姐妹花》，各获提名十一个项目。

得奖次数最多的“最佳男主角”：
史宾塞·屈赛、加利·古柏、马龙·白兰度和达斯汀·霍夫曼。

得奖次数最多的“最佳导演”：
约翰·福特，曾四度得奖，作品分别加后：《革命叛徒》、《怒火之花》、《蓬门今始为君开》以及《翡翠谷》。

得奖次数最多的“最佳女主角”：
凯瑟琳·赫本，曾经得奖四次， 作品分别是：《晨之光》、《谁来晚餐》、《冬之狮》和《金池塘》。

首次从影作品即获“最佳女主角者”：
莎莉·布丝的《兰闰春怨》、芭芭拉·史翠珊的《妙女郎》和玛琳·马丁的《悲怜上帝的女儿》。

首位非裔美人奥斯卡得主：
《乱世佳人》的哈芾麦·丹妮尔得到“最佳女配角”奖。

首位中国电影艺术家奥斯卡得主：
黄宗詹是第一位被载入奥斯卡史册上的中国电影艺术家。他的摄影水平超群，以《玫瑰纹身》赢得了第二十八届奥斯卡奖的"最佳摄影"称号。

Part 4 Movie Buffs 电影迷

Dialogue Script 1 对话原文 1

Ann: What's your favorite movie of all time?
Peter: That's a good question! I don't know. Maybe "Forrest Gump"?
Ann: Why "Forrest Gump"?
Peter: Because I like Tom Hanks, and I thought it had a lot of clever tie-ins. It was like a photo album of the country during the last 30 years.
Ann: That was a good show. Okay. Here's a little bit of movie trivia for you: what movie is the top-grossing film of all time? Peter: Oh, that's easy. " Jurassic Park". It's the only film that has grossed over a billion dollars in history.
Ann: That's true. But when a film's gross is adjusted for inflation, the highest-grossing film is "Gone With the Wind". Okay, which director has 7 of the top 40 highest-grossing films of all time?
Peter: A piece of cake. Steven Spielberg. Give me something challenging!
Ann: All right. What was Dustin Hoffman's debut movie?
Peter: The Graduate.
Ann: What year did it come out?
Peter: Oh, I don't know. 1970?
Ann: Wrong, 1968.
Peter: Okay, give me another question, then.
Ann: Which actress has the most nominations for the academy awards?
Peter: I have no idea.
Ann: Katherine Hepburn. She was nominated 12 times and won 3 times.
Peter: Okay, that's enough. My turn. First of all, what's your favorite scary movie?
Ann: Eh, it's gotta be "Psycho". I love that shower scene.
Peter: All right. What was the most popular Robert Redford and Paul Newman film?
Ann: "The Sting".
Peter: You're pretty good. Try this one. Which year was the first in-flight movie?
Ann: 1955?
Peter: Wrong. 1926. The movie "The Lost World" was shown on Imperial Airways from London to Paris on April 16, 1926.
Ann: The first in-light movie was 70 years ago? That blows me away. I guess I'm not such a great movie after all.

讲解：

1. 对话中，Ann和 Peter在互相提问，看看谁才是真正的电影迷。电影迷就是movie buff，buff表示“狂热爱好者”。

2. Ann的第一个问题是，What's your favorite movie of all time? 有史以来你最喜欢哪部电影？of all time，表示“古往今来”，也可以说成of all ages.

3. Peter回答I don't know. Maybe "Forrest Gump "，我不知道，也许是《阿甘正传》。这部电影大家熟悉得不能再熟悉了，是由Tom Hanks主演的，他凭此片获得了1995年奥斯卡最佳男演员奖，之前他凭借影片Philadelphia《费城故事》获得了1994年奥斯卡最佳男演员奖。

4. 为什么会是 Forrest Gump 呢？不仅是因为Peter是Tom Hanks的影迷，还因为在影片中有很多巧妙地相互关联的场景，也就是a lot of clever tie-ins，tie-ins表示“相互关联的事物”。整部影片就像是一本关于过去30年美国社会变迁的相册。

5. Ann也同意《阿甘正传》是一部好电影。That was a good show. show这个词呢可以表示“表演，演出，作表演或进行展览”。那么be on show就是某场演出或电影正在上演。接着Ann又问了第二个问题，movie trivia，这里是指一些关于电影的琐碎的知识，也就是电影知识点滴。

6. Ann问what movie is the top-grossing film of all time? 有史以来票房收入最高的电影是哪一部？gross表示“总额，毛利”，就是没有扣除成本之前的总利润，我们平常说的GDP，gross domestic product 就是指“国内生产总值”。另外，gross做形容词还可以表示“粗俗的，令人作呕的”，例如：Those noodles look gross. 那些面条看起来真让人恶心。

7. Peter回答说是《侏罗纪公园》，是历史上唯一一部票房总收入达到10亿美元的电影。但是如果考虑通货膨胀，货币贬值的因素，票房收入最高的电影应该是 “Gone With the Wind”，也就是《乱世佳人》。when a film's gross is adjusted for inflation，就是考虑通货膨胀的因素。

8. Ann的第三个问题是which director has 7 of the top 40 highest-grossing films of all time? 谁是有史以来票房收入最高的40部电影中7部电影的导演？就是Steven Spielberg，他也是人尽皆知的大导演。

9.Peter觉得这些问题还不过瘾，想再来点有挑战性的，Ann就又给他出了一个问题，What was Dustin Hoffman's debut movie? Dustin Hoffman的第一部电影是什么？debut表示“首演，首次露面”，这个词的读音比较特殊。

10. Dustin Hoffman的第一部电影是The Graduate，《毕业生》，是在1968年拍摄的。Ann的下一个问题是Which actress has the most nominations for the academy awards? 哪个女演员获得的奥斯卡奖提名最多？答案是Katherine Hepburn, 她获得12次提名，并获得3次奥斯卡奖。

11. 现在轮到Peter来提问了。他问Ann的第一个问题是what's your favorite scary movie?你最喜欢的恐怖电影是哪一部？scary movie，恐怖片，也可以说成thriller. Ann 回答说是“Psycho”中文翻译是《精神病患者》。

12. Peter的下一个问题是What was the most popular Robert Redford and Paul Newman film? Robert Redford 和 Paul Newman最有名的电影是哪一部？是“The Sting”，中文翻译是《刺》。感兴趣的朋友可以找来电影看一看。

13. 看来Ann知道的还真不少，Peter又给她出了一个难题，Which year was the first in-flight movie? 第一部空中电影是在哪一年出现的？这下还真的把Ann难住了，答案是在1926年的时候一部叫做《失去的世界》的电影在伦敦飞往巴黎的“皇家飞机”上首次放映。

Dialogue Script 2 对话原文 2

Clerk: Welcome to BSC Cinema. Would you like to purchase a movie ticket?
Brian: Umm...I want to know when "Touch of Madness" is showing.
Clerk: There are 5 showings today, one at noon, and then 2pm, 5pm, 8pm, and 11pm. On the weekend, besides these 5 showings, there is another showing starting at midnight.
Brian: I'm sorry, could you tell me the show times for today again?
Clerk: There are 5 showings today, one at noon, and then 2pm, 5pm, 8pm, and 11pm.
Brian: OK, I want 6 tickets for the 11 pm showing tonight. Are there still 6 tickets available that are seated together?
Clerk: I'm sorry, there are only 3 tickets left. How about the 8 pm showing? There are still 10 tickets left for that show.
Brian: But I have a friend who doesn't get off work till 8 pm, so he won't make the beginning of the movie.
Clerk: Well, I think it should be OK if he misses the first ten minutes.
Brian: He works about an hour's drive from here, so he'll never be able to make it in time.
Clerk: So would you like to see another movie?
Brian: No, we all want to see this one. Is there any way that we could buy tickets now for tomorrow's screenings?
Clerk: Yes, you can order tickets right now for tomorrow. What time would you like for tomorrow?
Brian: Tomorrow is Friday, so I think there might be more people who want to see the movie. How many tickets can I buy at one time?
Clerk: The limit for advanced tickets is ten.
Brian: OK, I'll have 10 tickets for the midnight showing of "Touch of Madness" tomorrow. By the way, when can I pick up the tickets?
Clerk: You can have them right now if you pay for them.
Brian: Oh, that's right. Here's the money.
Clerk: Here are your tickets. Enjoy the show tomorrow.

Famous Movie Companies in the U.S.A. 美国著名电影公司

环球影片公司(Universal Picture Co.)

The Universal name is synonymous with some of the greatest filmed entertainment ever made. Its heritage spans more than 90 years of filmmaking history, coinciding with the earliest days of Hollywood. Today, Universal is recognized as a multi-faceted entertainment company and industry leader.

In April 2002, Universal Studios and USA Networks, Inc. combined strengths to create Vivendi UNIVERSAL Entertainment (VUE), the U.S.-based film, television and recreation entity of Vivendi Universal, a global media and communications company. In addition to its premier film and television operations, VUE also includes world-renowned theme parks; a major production studio; a vast library of films and television titles; and a global distribution operation that extends to all existing and emerging platforms, including branded television channels, the Internet, DVD and video-on-demand.

President and Chief Operating Officer Ron Meyer is leading an aggressive, long-term strategy to maximize the value of Universal's motion picture and television properties by creating franchises with long term branding opportunities across all of Universal's businesses. He heads a strong management team comprised of the industry's top executives, who attract and nurture the creative community's best talent.

For more than 90 years, Universal Studios has been bringing unique entertainment experiences to millions of people around the world. We do this through our motion pictures and home videos, theme parks and attractions, television networks and programming, and much more. We are in the business of thrills and chills as well as tears and laughter -- of inspiring wonder and ultimately transforming moments into lasting memories.

Universal Studios has broadened its reach as one of the leading entertainment companies in the world. The Universal global brand has come to stand for the finest in exciting, exhilarating entertainment.

电影制片公司。1912年美国独立电影公司的老板C.莱默尔把他的公司和N.鲍尔斯等六七家小电影公司合并，组成环球影片公司，在30—40年代成为美国电影业的8家大公司之一。

莱默尔于1914年在好莱坞北面建起了摄影棚和供拍外景用的场地，命名为环球城。1915年3月环球城正式启用；当年生产影片250部。30-40年代生产了大量低成本影片，其中大多是西部片、音乐片、恐怖片和滑稽片。如B.卡洛夫主演的恐怖片，D.窦萍主演的音乐片，B.阿博和L.卡斯特洛主演的滑稽片，都有很高的票房价值，赢利颇丰。在它的产品中，象《西线无战事》(1930)那样的严肃作品极少。1946年环球公司和国际影片公司合并为环球国际公司。1952年德卡唱片公司购得了环球国际公司的大部分股票之后，恢复了旧名。以后该公司又归美国音乐公司(MGA)所有，直到80年代。50年代一改过去大量摄制低成本片的做法，采取少拍片以提高技术质量的方针。同时采用资助独立制片人拍摄影片的方法，其中不乏成功之作，如《斯巴达克斯》(1960)。60年代，公司集中全力提供电视片和供电视放映的影片。同时还把环球城作为好莱坞的一个旅游中心向旅游者开放而利润倍增。70 年代摄制了颇有影响的《美国风情画》(1973)以及该公司历史上获利最多的娱乐影片《大白鲨》(1975)。

派拉蒙影业公司 (Paramount Pictures, Inc.)

Paramount's lineage dates back to 1912 when Adolph Zukor, the owner of a New York nickelodeon, secured American distribution rights to Sarah Bernhart's four-reel film, Queen Elizabeth. The film's triumphant opening on July 12, 1912 as the first full-length drama shown in the United States prompted Zukor to found the Famous Players Film Company. Famous Players began to produce movies in New York, beginning with The Prisoner of Zenda and The Count of Monte Cristo. A year later Zukor invested in a film distribution company named Paramount Pictures.

June 28, 1916 marked a turning point in Paramount's history. The Jesse L. Lasky Company, which was producing films in Hollywood, California, merged with Famous Players to form the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation. The corporation consolidated its production and distribution divisions, and audiences began seeing "Paramount Pictures." Zukor and Lasky then constructed a vast new studio on Marathon Street in Hollywood, which the company has occupied since 1926.

Paramount's early artists included directors Cecil B. DeMille and William S. Hart, and stars Mary Pickford, Rudolf Valentino and Clara Bow. Wings, the studio's 1928 release, received the very first Academy Award? for Best Picture from the members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

A few of Paramount's memorable post-World War II films include The Ten Commandments, White Christmas, Shane, Psycho, Romeo and Juliet, True Grit, The Godfather films, Ordinary People, Reds, Terms of Endearment, Saturday Night Fever, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Beverly Hills Cop, Ghost, The Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games, the Star Trek movies, Indecent Proposal, Forrest Gump, Braveheart, Mission Impossible and Titanic. Many of these titles are available rom Paramount Home Entertainment. Please check our online catalog.

Gulf+Western Industries, Inc. acquired control of Paramount on March 24, 1966. The corporation turned its interest toward the new entertainment division, and on June 5, 1989, G+W was renamed Paramount Communications Inc. On March 11, 1994, Paramount merged with Viacom Inc, under the leadership of Sumner Redstone, chairman of the board and chief executive officer. Sherry Lansing is chairman, Paramount Motion Picture Group. Today, Paramount Pictures, together with Paramount Television, CBS Television, Simon & Schuster Publishing, MTV Networks, Showtime Networks, Infinity, BET, UPN, Paramount Parks and Blockbuster Entertainment comprise the entertainment leader, Viacom Inc.

Paramount Pictures is the only major motion picture studio located in Hollywood. It is an expansive, self-contained state-of-the-art production center and business community.

A.楚柯尔在1912年创立名演员公司，J.L.拉斯基于1913年建立杰西.拉斯基故事片公司。1916年上述两家制片公司合并成立名演员—拉斯基公司。次年，新公司兼并了12家制片公司；以后再把派拉蒙影片发行公司也并了过来，遂于1927年改名为派拉蒙—名演员—拉斯基公司。1930年又兼并了拥有多家影院的帕布利克斯公司，再改公司名为派拉蒙帕布利克斯，逐步发展成为好莱坞的大公司。1930年公司由于领导层的矛盾与经营不善被纽约联邦地区法院宣布破产，1935年重新组织成立了派拉蒙影业公司。新公司生产了一系列由 M.魏斯特、B.克罗斯贝、B.霍甫、D.拉摩、G.古柏和 C.考尔白等人主演的赚钱影片而再次兴起。当时公司的导演有J.von斯登堡，E.刘别谦和R.马莫里安等。公司在40年代发掘吸收了不少新人，如A.莱德、V.莱克、B.兰开斯特、K.道格拉斯等人。导演有B.怀尔德、P.斯特吉斯。公司在40年代最赚钱的影片是《与我同行》。50—60年代，派拉蒙和其他大公司一样受到美国影业萧条的打击，影片产量下降，收入减少。1966年石油资本集团购买了派拉蒙，使其成为海湾与西方石油公司的一家子公司。随着70年代美国电影业的复兴，派拉蒙摄制了《教父》(一、二集)、《油脂》、《周末狂欢》等票房价值很高的影片，公司逐年有盈余，并于1978年达到了创纪录的数字。

20世纪福斯电影公司 (20th Century-Fox Film Corp.)

Established in 1994 as the independent arm of Twentieth Century Fox, Fox Searchlight Pictures is a filmmaker-oriented company, creating distinctive films helmed by world-class auteurs and exciting newcomers. By blending specialty releases with trademark arthouse fare, Fox Searchlight's leadership has solidified its position in the independent film marketplace.

This year, Fox Searchlight Pictures kicked off April with Cedric the Entertainer's first starring vehicle, JOHNSON FAMILY VACATION, which hits the road with an all star cast that includes Bow Wow, Vanessa Williams, Shannon Elizabeth, Solange Knowles and Steve Harvey. In June, moviegoers met NAPOLEON DYNAMITE, some sweet moon boots, and skills that can't be topped. The film, which premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, also opened the US Comedy Arts Film Festival, where it was awarded Best Feature.

成立于1935年5月，由默片时代的大公司福斯电影公司和20世纪影片公司合并而成，是30-40年代好柒坞8家大电影公司之一。当时公司拥有导演E.刘别谦、E.卡善、O.普雷明格等人，并拥有不少受观众欢迎的电影明星，如S.邓波儿、L.杨、H.方达、G.佩克等，他们曾拍摄了一些有一定质量的影片。这一时期，公司生产的影片样式不一，艺术质量也参差不齐，但影片的技术质量都比较高。 t940年J.福特为公司导演的《怒火之花》可作为艺术与技术质量俱佳的例子。从50年代开始，美国电影业进入衰退时期。该公司为了与新兴的电视抗衡，曾致力于研究宽银幕在商业上的应用。1953年9月16日根据圣经故事改编拍摄的宽银幕故事片《长袍》在纽约罗克亚影院上映，这第一部宽银幕故事片不仅是该公司成立以来最赚钱的影片，也是电影从默片进入有声片以来在技术上的一次突破。60年代，摄制了美国电影史上成本空前的影片《克娄巴特拉》(1963，一译《埃及艳后》)，遭到失败。1972年又推出《海神号遇险记》，开创了泛滥于70年代的灾难 片样式。70年代后期，该公司拍片很少。1981年大石油商M.戴维斯买下了这家公司。

哥伦比亚影业公司 (Columbia Pictures Corp.)

American motion-picture studio that became a major Hollywood studio under its longtime president, Harry Cohn. Columbia originated in 1920 when Cohn, Joe Brandt, and Harry's brother Jack Cohn founded the C.B.C. Sales Film Corporation to produce shorts and low-budget westerns and comedies. In an attempt to refurbish the studio's reputation, its name was changed to Columbia.

Columbia TriStar Films Pty Ltd is an affiliate of Columbia TriStar Film Distributors International, a Sony Pictures Entertainment company. Sony Pictures Entertainments global operation includes motion picture production and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries around the world.

Columbia TriStar Films Australia is responsible for the theatrical distribution of feature films within the Australian marketplace. Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment is an affiliate of Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment International, a Sony Pictures Entertainment company. Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment is one of the oldest and largest Hollywood based film studios. We have one of the largest back catalogues with a library of over 4,000 film and television products. Columbia TriStar also has an enviable record of success having won more Academy Awards than any other studio.

Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment is responsible for distribution of video entertainment products. This includes Rental and Retail of VHS & DVD product.

1920年，原来在环球影片公司工作的H.科恩、J.科恩两兄弟和J.布兰特在好莱坞成立了一家摄制喜剧短片的小公司，名叫CBC电影销售公司。1924年改名为哥伦比亚影片公司，并于30年代发展成为美国电影业的8家大公司之一，这主要是由于H. 科恩的精明强干和公司导演F.卡普拉的创作才能起了作用。卡普拉在公司工作10年，拍摄了不少颇受欢迎的喜剧，其中包括《一夜风流＞(1934)、《弟斯先生进城》(1936)、《史密斯先生上华盛顿＞(1939)等。50年代，哥伦比亚公司开始采用对独立制片人和导演资助的办法拍摄影片。公司先后资助一些颇有名气的导演人拍片，如：S.施皮格尔、D.里恩、O.普雷明格、E.卡善、R.罗森和F.齐纳曼，拍出了不少质量高、影响大的影片，如《生于昨天》(1950)、《永垂不朽》(1953)、《在江边》(1954)、《桂河大桥》(1957)、《阿拉伯的劳伦斯》(1962)、《猜猜谁来吃晚餐》(1967)等。50-60年代的美国电影危机年代，哥伦比亚公司通过它的子公司银幕珍品公司向电视台出售公司以前的旧片并为电视台摄制电视片，成为好莱坞最早与电视结合的大公司之一。1968年公司改组，改名为哥伦比亚影片工业公司，下属两个主要分支机构哥伦比亚影片公司和银幕珍品公司，继续从事对独立制片的投资、电视片摄制和新兴的录像带工业。80年代该公司附属于美国可口可乐公司。

华纳兄弟影业公司 (Warner Bros.)

WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT, a fully integrated, broad-based entertainment company, is a global leader in the creation, production, distribution, licensing and marketing of all forms of entertainment and their related businesses. Warner Bros. Entertainment, a Time Warner Company, stands at the forefront of every aspect of the entertainment industry, from feature films to television, home video/DVD, animation, comic books, interactive entertainment and games, product and brand licensing, international cinemas and broadcasting.

In addition to its long-standing position as the industry's preeminent creator and distributor of feature films, television programs, animation, video and DVD, Warner Bros. Studios has also become one of the foremost authorities on utilizing licensing and merchandising to grow and reinforce its brands, on pioneering new forms of distribution, and on marshaling its vast creative and business resources to build world-renowned entertainment franchises that become appreciating assets in its unrivaled library.

One of the most respected, diversified and successful motion picture and television studios in the world, Warner Bros. Studios began when the brothers Warner (Albert, Sam, Harry and Jack L.) incorporated their fledgling movie company on April 4, 1923. In 1927, the release of the world's first synchronized-sound feature film, "The Jazz Singer," set a character and tone of innovation and influence that would become synonymous with the name Warner Bros. And--as Al Jolson foretold in this milestone movie--"you ain't heard nothin' yet!"

Since those early days, Warner Bros. Studios has amassed an impressive legacy based on world-class quality entertainment and technological foresight, and created a diversified entertainment company with an unparalleled depth and breadth that has resulted in 20 consecutive record-breaking years. Its unmatched consistency and success is built on a foundation of stable management throughout its history (especially by entertainment industry standards), long-term creative relationships with many of the world's leading stars and producers, and an unwavering dedication to excellence.

Today, the vast Warner Bros. library, considered one of the best and largest in the world, consists of more than 6,600 feature films, 40,000 television titles and 14,000 animated titles (including over 1,500 classic animated shorts). The library currently consists of film from such distinguished banners as Warner Bros. Pictures, Castle Rock, Lorimar Pictures, RKO and classic MGM (pre-1986).

1923年4月由华纳4兄弟创建。当时总部设在纽约，制片厂设在好莱坞附近的伯班克。华纳兄弟1917年开始在纽约从事电影的发行放映业务，建立华纳公司摄制影片是业务的扩展。1925年接管维泰葛拉夫制片公司，并于1927年摄制、发行电影史上第一部有声影片《爵士歌手》，从而使华纳公司于30年代初进入了好莱坞8大电影公司的行列。华纳公司在30年代以拍摄强盗片、歌舞片和传记片著称，尤以E.G.鲁宾逊、J. 贾克奈、H.鲍嘉等人主演的强盗片最有观众。传记片中也有不少受欢迎的作品，如P.茂尼主演的《左拉传》(1937)等。华纳的影片一般都比较朴素、紧凑，成本也较低，其主题都或多或少与30年代初发生的美国经济危机有联系。50年代美国电影萧条时期，华纳把财力转向制作电视系列片。60年代开始，越来越多地采用向独立制片人投资的制片方式。它成功地拍摄了《窈窕淑女》(1964)、《谁害伯弗吉尼亚.沃尔夫》(1966)、《邦妮和克莱德》(1967)等。1967年加拿大发行电视片的七艺公司买下了华纳公司，改名为华纳—七艺公 司。两年后，华纳—七艺公司又转让到一个大企业集团金尼全国服务公司手中，改组为华纳交流公司。这个公司经营的业务范围甚广，制片和发行影片仅是其中的一个项目。

米高梅公司 (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)

The name is taken from the three companies that formed a corporate merger to create MGM Studios in 1924; Metro Picture Corporation (formed in 1915), Goldwyn Picture Corporation (1917), and Louis B. Mayer Pictures (1918), under the control of movie theater magnate Marcus Loew. Louis B. Mayer became the studio boss, and Irving Thalberg, the "Boy Wonder", was head of production. They took on the motto Ars Gratia Artis (Art for Art's Sake) and their trademark lion, "Leo" in 1928 (who had been born in captivity in Dublin Zoo in Ireland).

For many years, the MGM Lion was the live-action mascot for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, appearing in the opening MGM logo sequence to every movie produced by the studio. The cartoon version of the MGM Lion appears in the Tom and Jerry theatrical animated cartoon; Jerry and the Lion. Under Mayer's and Thalberg's management, MGM Studios became the largest film company in Hollywood (although they were actually located in Culver City) by the mid-1930s. In this era, they produced a number of classic films, including Grand Hotel and the Tarzan series, and made stars out of Greta Garbo and Joan Crawford, among others. Thalberg was removed from his position as head of production in 1932, after disputes with Mayer and Schenck, and subsequently suffering a heart attack; at that point, Mayer started bringing in independent producers (notably David O. Selznick) to cover the studio's output. When Thalberg returned the next year, he was reduced to nothing more than a unit producer.

After Thalberg's death in 1936, Mayer had full control of the day-to-day production duties of the studio, and MGM's output progressed from the literary works Thalberg had preferred to the crowd-pleasers Mayer preferred. Between 1936 and the start of World War II, MGM produced a number of now-classic films, including Gone With the Wind and The Wizard of Oz. During the war, MGM threw itself head-first into war support; many MGM stars helped sell war bonds and performed at USO shows, and a few MGM personnel (notably James Stewart and Clark Gable) enlisted. During this time, MGM also became involved in the animation business. Their animation department started in the late 1930s, when Hugh Harman and Rudolph Ising came over from Warner Bros. Later on, MGM became home to Tex Avery (who joined them in 1941 after a dispute with Warners producer Leon Schlesinger).

Tex produced a number of famous shorts at MGM, including Red-Hot Riding Hood, Swing Shift Cinderella, and the Droopy series. MGM's biggest cartoon stars, however, were the cat-and-mouse duo of Tom and Jerry. Created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, Tom and Jerry won MGM several Oscars and nominations.

After the war, MGM underwent a sea change, and started primarily producing musicals. Most of the great stars of song and dance worked for MGM at the time, including Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, and Frank Sinatra. Many of these musicals were successes, but by 1948, the studio was being hit by cost overruns (stemming from the huge budgets given to every picture, even the lackluster ones), and the mismanagement was causing a noticeable drop in quality. No MGM productions won Oscars between 1946 and 1948. This caused the old feud between Mayer and Schenck to flare up; it seemed Mayer was spending more time tending to his herd of thoroughbred race horses than the day-to-day operations of the studio. Schenck ordered Mayer to sell the horses, bring costs under control once again, and hire a "new Thalberg". Writer and producer Dore Schary was hired for this job, and almost immediately the conflicts began. Mayer's taste for wholesomeness and "beautiful" movies went completely against Schary's desire for message pictures and gritty realism. In August 1951, after having sparred with Schary over several of his pet projects, Mayer was fed up; he called the head office and said, "It's either him, or me." Jumping at the chance to fire his arch-rival, Schenck picked Schary, ousting Mayer from the post he'd held for 27 years. An embittered Mayer later attempted an unsuccessful corporate takeover of the studio, but mainly stayed out of the public eye until his death in 1957.

Despite the chaos, MGM was able to keep the studio running through the early 1950s. Under Schary's watch, MGM produced some of their best-regarded musicals (An American in Paris, Singin' in the Rain, Show Boat). MGM also started releasing movies in the CinemaScope format (licensed from Fox) to compete with the the up and coming television phenomenon. However, MGM also lost one of their biggest stars when they released Judy Garland from her contract in 1950.

1924年5月17日，美国洛氏公司的老板M.洛把该公司所属的米特罗影片公司和高尔温影片公司、L.B.梅耶制片公司合并，组成米高梅公司。30年代好莱坞鼎盛时期，米高梅公司是最大的电影公司，每年要生产40—50部影片。米高梅在这一时期拥有美国最受观众欢迎的影星和导演，影星如G.嘉宝、C.盖博、J.哈罗、S.屈赛、R.泰勒、J.克劳馥、N.希拉等等，导演如E.von斯特劳亨、K.维多、F.朗格、G.顾柯、V.弗莱明等等。从30年代到第二次世界大战结束，米高梅摄制了数以百计的影片，除了少数影片如《块肉余生》、《叛舰喋血记》(1935)、《茶花女》(1939)、《忠勇之家》(1942)、《双城记》等之外，90%为平庸之作，内容浅薄、脱离现实，往往千篇一律地以虚构的故事、美满的结尾，配上受观众欢迎的大明星和较高的摄制技巧去招徕观众。米高梅公司日复一日地象工厂生产工业品的流水装配线那样大量生产这种影片，为好莱坞赢得“梦幻工厂”的“美名”出了大力。40年代末到50年代初，米高梅曾一度以拍摄大场面歌舞片为重点，生产了几部颇有特色的歌舞片，如《雨中曲》(1952)等。50年代美国电影业发生危机，到60年代初该公司连年亏损，影片产量逐年下降，到70年代初至80年代每年只拍三、四部影片。70年代初，美国拉斯韦加斯的大资本家K.克科里安买下了米高梅公司。新的主管人员把米高梅公司的道具服装等统统拍卖出去，并把资金投入拉斯韦加斯、里诺等赌城的房地产、旅馆业和其他能获利的方面。到70年代末米高梅公司又再度繁荣，但制片却只是这个公司的广泛业务范围之一，1981年米高梅公司出资买下联美公司，改名为米高梅—联美娱乐公司。

Motion Pictures Rating System美国的电影评级系统

This Code is designed to keep in close harmony with the mores, culture, the moral sense and change in our society.

The objectives of the Code are:

1. To encourage artistic expression by expanding creative freedom.

2. To assure that the freedom which encourages the artist remains responsible

and sensitive to the standards of the larger society.

Censorhip is an odious enterprise. We oppose censorship and classification by governments because they are alien to the American tradition of freedom.

Much of this nation's strength and purpose is drawn from the premise that the humblest of citizens has the freedom of his own choice. Censorship destroys this freedom of choice.

It is within this framework that the Motion Picture Association continues to recognize its obligation to the society of which it is an integral part. In our society parents are the arbiters of family conduct. Parents have the primary responsibility to guide their children in the kinds of lives they lead, the character they build, the books they read, and the movies and other entertainment to which they are exposed.

The creators of motion pictures undertake a responsibility to make available pertinent information about their pictures which will assist parents to fulfill their responsibilities.

But this alone is not enough. In further recognition of our obligation to the public, and most especially to parents, we have extended the Code operation to include a nationwide voluntary film rating program which has as its prime objective a sensitive concern for children. Motion Pictures will be reviewed by a Code and Rating Administration which, when it reviews a motion picture as to its conformity with the standards of the Code, will issue ratings. It is our intent that all motion pictures exhibited in the United States will carry a rating. These rating are:

(G) SUGGESTED FOR GENERAL AUDIENCES
This category includes motion pictures that in the opinion of the Code and Rating Administration would be acceptable for all audiences, without consideration of age.

(M) SUGGESTED FOR MATURE AUDIENCES - ADULTS & MATURE YOUNG PEOPLE
This category includes motion pictures that in the opinion of the Code and Rating Administration, because of their theme, content and treatment, might require more mature judgment by viewers, and about which parents should exercise their discretion.

(R) RESTRICTED PERSONS UNDER 16 NOT ADMITTED UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY PARENTS OR ADULT GUARDIAN
This category includes motion pictures that in the opinion of the Code and Rating Administration, because of their theme, content or treatment, should not be presented to persons under 16 unless accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.

(X) PERSONS UNDER 16 NOT ADMITTED
This category includes motion pictures submitted to the Code and Rating Administration which in the opinion of the Code and Rating Administration are rated (X) because of the treatment of sex, violence, crime or profanity. Pictures rated (X) do not qualify for a Code Seal. Pictures rated (X) should not be presented to persons under 16.

The program contemplates that any distributors outside the membership of the Association who choose not to submit their motion pictures to the Code and Rating Administration will self-apply the (X) rating. The ratings and their meanings will be conveyed by advertising; by displays at the theaters; and in other ways. Thus, audiences, especially parents, will be alerted to the theme, content, and treatment of movies. Therefore, parents can determine whether a particular picture is one which children should see at the discretion of the parent; or only when accompanied by a parent; or should not see.

We believe self-restraint, self-regulation, to be in the American tradition. The results of self-discipline are always imperfect because that is the nature of all things mortal. But this Code, and its administration, will make clear that freedom of expression does not mean toleration of license.

In furtherance of the objectives of the Code to accord with the mores, the culture, and the moral sense of our society, the principles stated above and the following standards will govern the Administrator in his consideration of motion pictures submitted for Code approval:

The basic dignity and value of human life shall be respected and upheld. Restraint shall be exercised in portraying the taking of life. Evil, sin, crime and wrong-doing shall not be justified. Special restraint shall be exercised in portraying criminal or anti-social activities in which minors participate or are involved. Detailed and protracted acts of brutality, cruelty, physical violence, torture and abuse shall not be presented. Indecent or undue exposure of the human body shall not be presented. Illicit sex relationships shall not be justified. Intimate sex scenes violating common standards of decency shall not be portrayed. Restraint and care shall be exercised in presentations dealing with sex aberrations. Obscene speech, gestures or movements shall not be presented. Undue profanity shall not be permitted. Religion shall not be demeaned. Words or symbols contemptuous of racial, religious or national groups, shall not be used so as to incite bigotry or hatred. Excessive cruelty to animals shall not be portrayed and animals shall not be treated inhumanely.

美国的MPAA，它的全称为"The Motion Picture Association of America"即"美国电影协会"，总部设在加利福尼亚(Encino,California )。这个组织成立于1922年，最初是作为电影工业的一个交易组织而出现的。如今它涉足的领域不仅有在影院上映的电影，还有电视、家庭摄影(home video)以及未来有可能会出现的其他传送系统领域。

美国电影协会的会员主要由美国最大的七家电影和电视传媒巨头的主席和总裁共同担任。他们是：迪斯尼公司(Walt Disney Company)，索尼声像(Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc.)，Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.，派拉蒙公司(Paramount Pictures Corporation) ，21世纪福克斯公司(Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp.)，环球影像(Universal Studios, Inc.) ，华纳兄弟(Warner Bros. ) 。

从1968年以来，美国电影协会对所有美国电影都实施评级系统管理。当前，电影评级系统评价一部电影是属于哪个级别，主要依据以下几个指标：电影的主题、电影中暴力、色情、药物滥用等内容、电影中的语言等。经过1968年、1984年和1990年修改后，现行的电影评级系统将所有电影分为5级，即G级、PG级、PG13级、R级和NC－17级。具体含义如下：

·G级：(GENERAL AUDIENCES All ages admitted.)大众级，适合所有年龄段的人观看--该级别的电影内容可以被父母接受，影片没有裸体、性爱场面，吸毒和暴力场面非常少。对话也是日常生活中可以经常接触到的；

·PG级：( PARENTAL GUIDANCE SUGGESTED Some material may not be suitable for children.)普通级，建议在父母的陪伴下观看，有些镜头可能让儿童产生不适感.-- 该级别的电影基本没有性爱、吸毒和裸体场面，即使有时间也很短，此外，恐怖和暴力场面不会超出适度的范围；

·PG-13级：(PARENTS STRONGLY CAUTIONED Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. )普通级，但不适于13岁以下儿童.特别辅导级，13岁以下儿童尤其要有父母陪同观看，一些内容对儿童很不适宜--该级别的电影没有粗野的持续暴力镜头，一般没有裸体镜头，有时会有吸毒镜头和脏话；

·R级：(RESTRICTED Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.)限制级，17岁以下必须由父母或者监护陪伴才能观看.--该级别的影片包含成人内容，里面有较多的性爱、暴力、吸毒等场面和脏话；

·NC-17级：(NO ONE 17 AND UNDER ADMITTED )17岁或者以下不可观看--该级别的影片被定为成人影片。影片中有清楚的性爱场面，大量的吸毒或暴力镜头以及脏话等。

另补充几种特殊的分级：

·NR OR U：NR是属于未经定级的电影，而U是针对1968年以前的电影定的级。

·M，X OR P：这一级中的电影基本上不适合在大院线里公映，都属于限制类的。

美国电影协会之所以实施电影评级系统，目的非常简单，就是在观看影片之前提前提供给父母一些有关电影内容的信息，让父母能够决定让他们的孩子看哪些影片，不看哪些影片。所以电影评级系统对儿童青少年的保护作用的实现主要在于父母是否能够很好的履行他们的责任。如果家长对孩子看什么电影并不关心，电影评级系统就不会产生效果。