I just got off the phone with them, and they are sweet as pie... but I couldn't talk'em down. Anything under $5 million costs $3000 to get rated. Okay, 3 grand isn't much compared to what I spent to get Spirit Camp to the screen, but still... that's the cost of a new Macbook Pro, or a helluva time in strip club. Add that to my attorney's retainer fee, E&O insurance (if I choose to get it), and national advertising... it adds up!
What's worse... if you didn't have anything to do with the production or financing, it would only be $2500... but because I put my own money up, and directed it, I get hit with an arbitrary extra $500. Makes no sense.
And the kicker... I sure as hell don't want to pay 3K for an NC-17... not that my film's rated NC-17, mind you... it's a hard R. I've got boobs and blood, but nothing excessive. Still, it makes me nervous. Lets face it... there shouldn't be any rating beyond R. NC-17 just puts you in that category of film that papers won't run ads for, and some retailers won't stock.
I love the MPAA, don't get me wrong... parents should be able to judge the content of films their kids see, but an "R" rating is clear enough that it is for adults - but that it is not porn...
Moving on... I don't think I will rate the film. Lord knows I always opt for the unrated version anyway... bring on the gratuity. It's not like Walmart is going to carry this title anyway...
Make art without compromises! Woohoo!