tc 8421 quality “i don’t know what it is, but i know it when i see it” subjectivity what...
TRANSCRIPT
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QUALITY
“I don’t know what it is, but I know it when I see it”
Subjectivity What makes a media project
good ? No definition, but can be described
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QUALITY: A 5 PART EQUATION
Form--the craft Content--what is being
communicated Artistry--interaction of form and
content The Viewer--approach and effect Business/Commercial Success
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1. FORM: How we present the content
Create an illusion be invisible (drama)
Create an effect effects are not hidden (music video)
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1. FORM: How we present the content
sound/music
photography lighting writing directing casting performance/
acting
Sounds are appropriate, clear, positioned
Exposure, composition, sense of style
Even, but expressive, appropriate mood
Natural dialogue, understandable plot, subtexts, simplicity
Understands script, performances feel natural, nuance
Actors believable, capable, correct look and feel
Natural, involve the viewer, understand the script
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1. FORM: How we present the content
wardrobe/makeup editing technical quality
sound image
special effects graphics setting
Visually interesting, era/reality, believable, unified look
Transitions motivated, continuity, rhythm/pace, simplicity, scenes/story make sense
Exposure, levels, color, etc. No distortion, hum, etc
Accurate color and signal to noise ration
Believable, seamless, appropriate
Composition, clarity, safe area
Shootable, visual interest,
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1. FORM: How we present the content
Design
Navigation
Visually interesting, unified look, easily understandable, uncluttered
Easily followed, logical, simple
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2. CONTENT: What we want to communicate
Significant relevant thorough accurate challenging appropriate interesting Timely moving
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2. CONTENT: What we want to communicate
use oblique approach
be about something
Not just excitement
Human condition Great themes Useful
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2. CONTENT: What we want to communicate
socially redeeming provides insight into the
human condition deals with difficult
subjects has seriousness of
purpose has a reason for the
telling addresses universal issues
illuminates the human spirit
is significant to the culture
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3. ARTISTRY: How form and content effect each other
Interaction of form and content indefinable, but necessary
creative unique appropriate original
whole is greater than sum of its parts
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3. ARTISTRY: How form and content effect each other
Magic programs which are blessed programs which "sing” Chemistry originality
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3. ARTISTRY: How form and content effect each other
innnovativeness unpredictability Passion risktaking intensity daring
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3. ARTISTRY: How form and content effect each other
difficult to quantify or measure artistry may be perceivable but not
definable necessary to art
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4. THE VIEWER
Approach to the Viewer respect audience not cynical not preach relevant, informative, challenging
Effect on the Viewer grabs emotional impact stimulate thought move to action
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4. THE VIEWER
assume that the audience is intelligent and capable of understanding and appreciating quality
avoid preachiness and not just intend to sell products challenge teach, enlighten satisfy nourish stimulate entertain
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4. THE VIEWER
provide a framework to make connections engenders curiosity makes people think stimulates them to talk about its subject matter
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5. BUSINESS/COMMERCIAL SUCCESS
Numbers/ratings if nobody watches, is it good ? may be irrelevant if not watched particular audience....how well you
hit the target
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5. BUSINESS/COMMERCIAL SUCCESS
maximize audience size how effective is a program which few people see you cannot have a substantial effect in a mass
medium without a large audience effectiveness in gathering and holding viewers how well you reach the targeted audience
age education, sex.
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5. BUSINESS/COMMERCIAL SUCCESS
Audience data useful in evaluating quality clearly is only part of the mix.
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Some General Characteristics
-factual projects/programs should be impartial, tasteful, and fair
-fictional projects/programs should not be impartial, but should be challenging, passionate, and well crafted
-programs should deal with issues indirectly to avoid being pedantic
-quality programs should require active rather than passive viewing
-quality television is intimate television
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General Characteristics
Comedy "it should be wildly funny and make a social statement".
Producer of WKRP In Cincinnatti
Steven Bochko, the creator of NYPD Blue, says there is an indefinable element which is a “chemistry” or a Gestalt
quality programs should make people think, move them to action, stimulate them, entertain them, and take them out of their lives.
"chill bumps" at moments of discovery stimulating the viewer to take action.