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Post by Mladen on Jan 30, 2012 19:10:45 GMT -5
I've started doing something which some of you might consider sacrilege. This applies to both film and tv, so I've posted it here.
While watching the last season of Dexter on tivo (those little tv recording box things), I knew it'd be my last. Too many stupid coincidences, dull subplots (usually abandoned in the next season), bizarre character choices, etc etc. However, to speed the process along, I got in the habit of fast-forwarding/skipping ANY scene featuring Angel & Maria (their marriage subplot is filler at best), any scenes where White-Doakes and Deb talk about their relationship, etc. What I ended up with was a faster-paced show, structurally tighter, and a more pleasurable viewing experience.
What I wanted to ask: Does anybody else do this? Is it wrong to take control of the viewing experience like this? Should we have to view the show/film in its entirety as the director intended, or is it okay to take some of the editorial control by 'cutting' the show/film down ourselves?
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Post by Tyler Smith on Jan 31, 2012 3:20:35 GMT -5
My first instinct is to say that it is wrong. The director put the show or movie together that way for a reason, and it is our responsibility as viewers is to try to meet them where they are, not where we'd like them to be.
Of course, once you've done that, you're more than welcome to talk about how awful it is.
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Post by Mladen on Jan 31, 2012 19:25:20 GMT -5
I mostly agree, I'd rather NOT watch a show than watch only parts of it. Missing an episode or two in a long-form tv drama should be acceptable though.
Curious: Do you ever get up and make a sandwich or go to the bathroom during a 'filler' scene in a tv show? Or do you pause the show?
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Post by bouncingbrick on Jan 31, 2012 21:24:33 GMT -5
If it's something I'm interested in I never skip anything. If it's something my wife is making me watch I'd gladly get up and tell her not to bother pausing it.
It's alright, I guess, if you don't care what's going on, but I personally watch TV and films in their entirety. It's just the way I do it.
Side note, Mladen, based on your behavior while watching Dexter and you're dislike of Game of Thrones, I would suggest a new solution for you; Ritalin.
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Post by deadpool on Jan 31, 2012 22:28:23 GMT -5
For the majority of stuff I would say no but there are exceptions. I was watching Jackass 3 the other day and I skipped a few bits (not because they were gross or anything just I don't find some of them that funny). Not on a similar note I will sometimes skip episodes in a series. I am an anime fan and in one show called the melanchaly of haruhi suzimaiya there is an episode series called endless 8 where the characters are caught in a time loop. It's kind of like groundhog day where the characters don't know that they are repeating things so it is very repetive and almost no change from episode to episodes. I watched them all once but when I rewatch them I only watch 3 of them.
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Post by Mladen on Jan 31, 2012 23:29:42 GMT -5
Side note, Mladen, based on your behavior while watching Dexter and you're dislike of Game of Thrones, I would suggest a new solution for you; Ritalin. More available spare time would be better. |
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Post by joeviturbo on Feb 29, 2012 14:09:13 GMT -5
about the only time I'd approves of skipping a scene is when it's a series and the opening credits are playing. However, it's your film, skip whatever you want. I think that skipping a scene ruins the pacing and the experience that the filmmakers were attempting to express. I'll give you a literary example: Back when I heard that Peter Jackson was making the Lord of the Rings films I decided that I wanted to read the books (something that I hadn't done) before the film came out. So I did. As I was reading I noticed that Tolkien used a lot, and I mean a lot, of songs. I was tempted to skip these songs, mostly because I can never get the cadence or melody right in my head. I don't get it, are you just supposed to make up a melody on the spot and hope that it fits with the text? Anyway, I read every single word of those songs, because that's how it was written. Now, when anyone comments about the books I can say, "lots of songs, lots of songs". But I'll know I read them, even if I hated every minute of it.
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Post by Mladen on Feb 29, 2012 19:31:44 GMT -5
But I'll know I read them, even if I hated every minute of it. Hahahah! ;D I remember that feeling. Especially with Tom Bombadillo. |
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