CompuServe Messages

<<my wife is *frowning* at me big-time>> Oh, I've seen my share of the 'frown' from my past relationships. That, and love's most sobering utterance, "Ouch! You're on my hair!" <Heart sinks and 'click'> "Tonight, on Unsolved Mysteries…" <<"Spielbergian narrative overdeterminist"…>> I like it. Hey, I admit there are times when you just have stop the film, tap on the screen and ask, "are you getting this?" And perhaps I could add, "Obviating enumerationist". I cut to the piano, "these are the white keys, and these are the black ones." <smile> <<the "point" can simply be it entertained you…>> Yeah. Inherently, "informative" and "persuasive" purpose must, by definition, have points (which I use as an abbreviation for 'point of view'), morals, or themes. The successful documentary is loaded with it. But I've noticed that even shows like 'Funniest Videos'; which is essentially random Candid Camera with no production costs; tries to move beyond "let's all laugh at the misfortune and pain of others." They try to 'theme' the show. Especially in narrative. Strange stuff. Sitcoms have always had that 'everyone <including the viewer> comes away having learned something' tone. And for some reason, I find my own work seems to hang better when I insert my point of view into the sterility of the facts. 'Course this is probably video's greatest power and why it is so good at persuasion. Likewise, without point of view, video falls apart quickly <— unresearched opinion. <<it's a sign that person/those people aren't in control of what they're saying, or don't really believe it themselves.>> Good point. And it's hard to discern whether it is an execution problem or a belief problem. They look so similar. <<video w/the same level of audience appeal as a special occasion video but intended it for the world at large, it wouldn't have the same value…> And Patrick (Data Translations) hit on this too. "Narrowcasting", as he calls it, is much more than a delivery concept to my thinking. It's a production concept. I don't think video accomplishes much unless you have a very good feel for whom you're telling the story to. I like it when any communication form becomes intimate by using knowledge I already have. Enjoy your weekend, Paul