The longtime chair of the the Classification and Rating Administration for the MPAA is retiring after 30 years of watching and rating movies for the organization.   

In her role, Joan Graves assigned ratings to an estimated 12,500 movies, ranging from G to NC-17. During her time at MPAA, Graves added descriptors to the PG, PG-13, and R rating and helped create a liaison between directors and MPAA filmmakers. She also added tobacco and tobacco-imagery to be factored into movie ratings. Along with her position, Graves oftentimes faced criticism from directors and parents alike who disagreed with a given rating. She cites opening communication between filmmakers and the MPAA as one of her proudest accomplishments.

Graves first joined the organization back in 1988 as a part-time movie rater. Over the past three decades, she’s served as Administrative Director, Vice Chairman, Co-Chairman, and has been the Chairman of the rating administration since 2000. She will be succeeded by corporate counsel Kelly McMahon.

We take a look back at her time with MPAA, and reflect on the challenges and achievements she encountered throughout the years.

Guest:

Joan Graves, Senior Vice President and Chairman of The Classification and Rating Administration (CARA) for the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA)