What's new

TV Guide Letter Disparages Widescreen Content (1 Viewer)

Andy W

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
May 13, 2001
Messages
63
Although some discussion of this has appeared on page 2 of this HTF thread, I thought this was relevant enough to have its own thread so more members would be likely to see it. (I’m not sure if this topic belongs here in the Software forum or the TV and HDTV Programming forum.)

Here is the full text of the anti-widescreen letter published in the July 12-18, 2003, issue of TV Guide. The letter is titled “Feeling Boxed In”.

(Begin letter) “Jeers to the networks for using the letterbox format on some of my favorite shows, including ER and The West Wing. The public buys larger TVs and the programs are cut almost in half. Let’s get back to full-screen viewing.” (End letter)

I say jeers :thumbsdown: to TV Guide for publishing this letter and giving credibility to the author’s anti-widescreen notions. It’s time to write a well crafted, polite, concise, yet strong rebuttal letter, and see if TV Guide publishes it.

Although I am not a journalist, I understand that a good editor will cover multiple sides of an issue to encourage thought and debate. Let’s see if TV Guide responds accordingly.

Any others willing to write TV Guide?
 

Jack Briggs

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jun 3, 1999
Messages
16,805
Even with major magazines, you'd be surprised at just how few letters to the editor come in each month. If they are remotely reasonable, and not written by a crackpot, the magazine will print nearly every single one of 'em.

So, it's simply a letter-writer voicing his displeasure. No big deal. But TV Guide itself, as I said in the linked thread, issued one of its weekly "jeers" to the increasing practice of showing original television programming in widescreen.

Remember, it's not an A/V-enthusiasts' publication.

But it has never editorially condemned the showing of widescreen films in a letterboxed format.

Also, the magazine issued one of its most bluntly worded weekly "jeers" to the now-universal practice of displaying "station-bug" logos continuously.
 

Chris Lockwood

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Apr 21, 1999
Messages
3,215
Why does anyone even bother with TV Guide any more when you can get TV listings free online or in the newspaper?
 

Eric Peterson

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2001
Messages
2,959
Real Name
Eric Peterson


My thoughts exactly. I doubt that I've bought one or even used one in 7+ years. I do subscribe to the TCM newsletter so that I get advance notice of classic films and to help support the greatest channel known to man.
 

Scott_F_S

Second Unit
Joined
Jun 15, 2002
Messages
408
First of all, printing a letter from a reader is the editorially responsible thing to do at any publication -- no matter what side the writer takes on an issue.

Secondly, I have a problem with the whole argument that widescreen is better than fullscreen no matter what. Widescreen has no intrisically better value than fullscreen, or vice versa. It's an artistic choice made by the director or, in the case of TV, the show's creator. Let the director or the creator use the format he/she chooses, and then give it to me in that format. I no more want to see a widescreen presentation of a full-screen production than I want to see a full-screen version of a movie shot in widescreen.

I have lost all respect for the folks at DVD File for that very reason. They call themselves OAR advocates, yet they editorially condone widescreen releases of Buffy seasons.
 

Adam Lenhardt

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2001
Messages
26,972
Location
Albany, NY
I don't see what the huge problem is with the reader's comments. Considering that the vast, vast, vast majority of televisions in the U.S. are 4x3, it's natural that that should be the ratio of choice when composing shots. This isn't like pan and scanning widescreen movies for home video. This is a question of how shows are composed to begin with.
That said, if a show's showrunners decide to compose 16x9 for their HDTV audience, I think it should be matted as such for the NTSC broadcasts.
 

Ken Chan

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Apr 11, 1999
Messages
3,302
Real Name
Ken
the programs are cut almost in half
But see, the program is not cut in half, it's shrunk because the aspect ratios blah blah blah. The problem is that the complaint is to-the-point but inaccurate; whether the writer actually knows the difference is an open question. To explain it properly to people that don't know, you almost need charts and graphs. Like the world in general, it's more complicated than the average person cares to consider.

//Ken
 

Jeff Kleist

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Dec 4, 1999
Messages
11,266
That said, if a show's showrunners decide to compose 16x9 for their HDTV audience, I think it should be matted as such for the NTSC broadcasts.
Frankly, I've seen no show better than Angel to really take the 16:9 frame and do something with it. The show consistantly features masterful lighting and cinematography better than most motion pictures. Of course, the Emmys totally ignore it anyway

Even if you've never seen the show, check it out. You will be quite impressed
 

Chris Lockwood

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Apr 21, 1999
Messages
3,215
> Newspaper listings aren't as detailed. You can't see what's playing during the week ahead.

You've never seen a Sunday paper TV book? Pretty similar to TV Guide, & the whole paper is cheaper than the mag.
 

Adam Lenhardt

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2001
Messages
26,972
Location
Albany, NY
Frankly, I've seen no show better than Angel to really take the 16:9 frame and do something with it. The show consistantly features masterful lighting and cinematography better than most motion pictures. Of course, the Emmys totally ignore it anyway
On occasion, I have since my mom's is/was a big fan. One episode I remember was set in like a colonial era period or whatever involving the vampire that bit him, and the cinematography was awesome. E.R.'s cinematography tends to be better since they switched to matted, with varying degrees of improvement depending on the episode and who's filming it. Smallville seems to work equally well either way from the pilot, with an edge to the widescreen for the establishing shots and an edge to the 4x3 for the closeups. Everwood, while having a much cooler opening credit sequence it widescreen, is much more suited to the intimacy that the 4x3 frame provides.

I've said it before and I'll say it again; pick a ratio and stick with it. matte 16x9 programs on NTSC and side bar 4x3 programs in HDTV.
 

BrianW

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jan 30, 1999
Messages
2,563
Real Name
Brian
If they are remotely reasonable, and not written by a crackpot, the magazine will print nearly every single one of 'em.
I had no idea this was the case. This could finally be the key to my success in getting "published."

I'd better get writing.

Oh, wait... I forgot. I'm a crackpot.
 

Steve Phillips

Screenwriter
Joined
Jan 18, 2002
Messages
1,521
Not that debating the significance of TV Guide is the subject of this thread, but I have yet to see a newspaper TV suppliment that lists all 300 channels I get on Digital Cable like the TV Guide Ultimate Cable edition does. For $3.99 a month (more at newsstands) it can't be beat.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Latest Articles

Forum statistics

Threads
356,814
Messages
5,123,788
Members
144,184
Latest member
H-508
Recent bookmarks
0
Top