A generation ago PG films like Ghostbusters, Back to the Future and Top Gun dominated at the box office, but more than half of what Hollywood serves up these days is rated R.
That’s what got BYU economics students Jared Shores and Craig Palsson interested in whether a movie’s rating affects its revenue.
The students conducted a statistical analysis of budget and box office figures of major American films from 1995 to the present. Additionally, the data set included the level of foul language, sex and violence in each movie (courtesy of ratings services ScreenIt and Kids-in-Mind).
The number-crunching reveals a few things that do connect ratings to profitability:
- PG and PG-13 movies bring a similar return; both make more money than R films
- Movies on the edge of PG and PG-13 make more money if they get a PG rating
- Movies on the edge of PG-13 and R make more money if they get the PG-13 rating
While interesting, these findings don’t yet explain the scarcity of family films. Craig notes that the Motion Picture Association of America is not terribly consistent, making it tough for directors and studios to “game the system.” Jared notes that in some cases investors ought to push for a film to be re-cut and resubmitted to get the more profitable MPAA rating.
Under the mentorship of economics professor Joe Price, Jared and Craig are preparing their research for publication.
A native of Montrose, Colorado, Jared aims for a career in the business side of Hollywood as an entertainment consultant. He names The Goonies as his all-time favorite movie.
“It encapsulates what I wanted to be as a kid, and the kinds of films I want to help develop someday,” Jared said.
Jared will complete his bachelor’s degree this December. Craig plans to graduate in April 2012.
ORCA grants: What they are and how to get one
Every year BYU awards several hundred undergraduates $1,500 for a research or creative project of their own choosing.
While the projects span a wide range of fields, they all involve mentored learning outside the classroom. The skills and experience gained along the way open doors to grad schools, employers and entrepreneurship. Mentored learning is part of why BYU ranks in the Top 10 nationally in terms of where new Ph.D.s received their undergraduate degrees – and why BYU is a top feeder school for law, medicine and dentistry.
ORCA is accepting applications through October 29. Click here to apply.
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