USHER-Know before you watch

USHER is a tool that ensures films and TV series meet statutory and medical compliance before being watched. This system provides a safety rating for content, telling viewers whether a title is safe, restricted, prohibited, or if there is not enough data available to make a decision. For instance, Disney had to issue theatrical seizure notices for Incredibles 2 in 2018 due to a flashing-screen sequence that can trigger seizures.

USHER does more than just check ratings; it evaluates multiple constraints at once, including age and medical hazards. It can determine that a movie like Oppenheimer or Euphoria are not suitable for a viewer with photosensitive epilepsy or auditory hyperacusis due to statutory age restrictions or photic limits, respectively. On the other hand, USHER recommends The Dark Knight for a 13+ audience as it meets all compliance criteria.

The tool also overrides misleading ratings with clinical evidence, providing clear instructions for viewers who need to mute or look away during certain scenes. USHER cites legal and clinical authorities, such as the Cinematograph Act 1952, CBFC Guidelines 2023, ITU-R BT.1702-2, and the WHO 85 dB listening standard, and provides precise information about runtime windows, making it practical for viewers.

The tool refuses to guess if a title or hazard is not certified, instead advising to withhold viewing until it's certified. The catalog of films includes 42 titles across 8 genres, and the UI offers a dual-theme presentation. The data transparency note mentions that while the film classifications and hazard designations reflect real statutory records and advisories, specific scene timestamps and decibel measurements are curated models created for this demonstration.

USHER serves as a demonstration of the architecture rather than providing medical advice. You can explore the live project and its code on the provided URLs.