How was television figured as a “window on the world” during the period of 1948-1955, according to Lynn Spigel? Do you think television fulfills (or is portrayed as fulfilling) a similar role today? Take a look at this pre-war demonstration of British television and describe the aesthetics of this early experimentation with TV during the 1930s. How is the viewer positioned or addressed? How do the formal elements of this program compare to contemporary television?
Through hyperrealism, television could be seen as a window into the outside world. They advertised the aspect of television that brought you closer to the action. You did not have to leave your home to see a baseball game (Speigl uses the image of a television being placed right on home plate for the perfect view) because the view from your home is better than any view you would get in a stadium.
ReplyDeleteIn this video, they show the view of an orchestra up front and also use demonstrations in how to “drive” while golfing. They address the audience directly, as well as using close ups to show exactly how the act is to be done. Not only are you getting step-by-step instructions but it seems as if they are actually talking to you.
Contemporary television still holds these qualities today. Think about the Discovery Channel. Their episodes bring you to beautiful locations with wild animals surrounded by nature. Unless you have a burning desire to travel the world, this could satisfy their original wish to travel. Sports channels bring us up close with sideline news. Entertainment shows give us the scoop on celebrities today. Fitness channels provide an opportunity to not leave the house for a workout. There is so much information at our fingertips today just within the television itself. Television is truly a “window on the world.”
During the time television was being introduced to the public, advertisements, books, and other media was used to popularize television as a “window to the world.” The idea was that television could take the viewer anywhere, have them go places, without ever leaving their home. In the period during which television was popularized, a postwar shift was occurring between city living and suburban living. Sparked by a housing crisis, and growing marriage and birth rates, many families were moving to prefabricated neighborhoods built outside urban areas. Spigel argues that this shift did not result in isolationism, but rather the merging of the private and public spheres of life. In this way, television played into the idea that one could hold the world at arm’s length, but still participate. It also tied to the utopian ideals of home life that were part of the larger narrative in the media at the time. By advertising television as “the best seat in the house,” people were able to see television as a replacement for experience.
ReplyDeleteI think that television is not marketed or portrayed as a “window to the world” any longer, however, I think it does still function in that way. Documentary series, such as those on Discovery, National Geographic, Travel and other similar channels show us far off places in our homes, and with the advent of new technology, show us in depth looks at places view people have ever seen like the ocean floor. We have numerous channels dedicated to sports, including ones that are maybe less popular in the states like soccer, so fans don’t have to travel in order to see their favorite team. Concerts are often broadcast live or after the fact, so that people don’t ever have to leave their homes.
The demonstration of television shown in the Youtube clip directly addresses the home audience in order to make them feel as though they are part of the program. Numerous acts occur, such as a singer, a couple dancing, and orchestra, a fashion show, and a golf demonstration. Through these short clips, the audience is shown how television can really give them a better seat than they would have if they were to go see these acts in a theater or other such venue. These programs are similar to today’s variety or educational shows that are aired on television and allow the viewer to be entertained and edified.
Spigel address the point that the television provided a grand illusion of life in the comfort of one's own home. Television brought another world into the home. It gave everyday people the chance to experience new places, events, and emotions without leaving the comfort of their own home.
ReplyDeleteTelevision still has this same power today. It is still used as a method of escape. If someone if having a bad day, their spirits can be easily lifted through the joys of television. Television has the capability to take viewers on an emotional journey while sitting on their living room couch.
This pre-war demonstration of British television brings the joys of a fancy night on the town right into the homes of viewers. Luxurious events like seeing an orchestra, singer, or fashion show are projected right into the home. This replaces the luxury of spending money to go out and sit in a theater to see these performances live. With the technology of television, viewers are invited to get a close-up view of this action while at home.
This idea is still seen in contemporary television. Concerts of all sorts are recorded from many camera angles and broadcasted on television. Is this fair to the audience members who spent a lot of money to be there? Because of television, this exclusive and costly event is now readily available to anyone with cable. The people watching at home even get a better view of the musicians.
The fashion segment of the pre-war demonstration is still seen in many daytime talk shows. Shows like Kathie Lee and Hoda from The Today Show and Wendy Williams are madefor women who are home during the day. They bring in fashion experts to teach women how to “dress affordably.” The idea of a “fashion show in your living room” is almost identical between this 20th century program and these contemporary shows.
By stating that television should be the “window on the world”, Lynn Spigel emphasizes the audience’s need for dynamism and simultaneity in television. People do not have to be physically present in certain activities; instead, they can enjoy the urban experience domestically by watching the live show on television. This kind of participation forms a connection between home and the outside world.
ReplyDeleteTelevision today fulfills the similar role since people nowadays can still participate in the outside world experience at their private home by watching television, which creates an illusion that the privacy and the public are connected and interact with each other. For example, people can watch live show on television, and they can even get “closer” to the performers while watching them in close-ups through multiple angles.
The video addresses the audience directly because of the numerous close-ups and medium shots that are used for dance, singing and orchestra shooting. These shots draw the audience’s attention to the live performance and shorten the distance between private home and the public. In addition, the singers, dancers and all other performers face the camera directly and look straight at the audiences, which makes the audiences feel that they are actually sitting in a certain seat watching the show.