So Netflix is "telling writers to dumb down shows since viewers are on their phones"...
What happens then to the adage about visual media of "Show don't tell?"
Opinions?
Examples?
https://www.pcmag.com/news/netflix-is-telling-writers-to-dumb-down-shows...
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I think it's helpful for writers to know which networks want more "dumbing down" and which don't; in the pre-streaming world it was the cable networks that were considered to have more "literate" audiences and networks that were considered to have more of a...er..."simple" audience. My own observations are that Netflix is the inheritor of network television and Prime/Hulu/Apple+ more of the cable type. Good for writers to know who their show is geared toward!
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Hi, Pamela Jaye Smith. I don’t think writers should dumb down anything in their scripts. The problem is people not paying attention to movies/shows, not the writing. I think companies and studios should be pushing writers to write incredible scripts full of amazing dialogue as a way to get viewers to stop scrolling and watch. And I didn’t know people scrolled while streaming. My attention is on the movie/show when I watch something. Netflix is one of my favorite streamers. I hope they scrap this idea.
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I agree with Michael David - each streamer and distributor is different just like each network is. Where to take broad enteratinment vs premium, nuanced enterainment should always be taken into consideration. Netflix is a big box store of content looking for international audiences and wants to reach everyone, everywhere, all the time. Not a knock - just their positioning. How far that goes will be seen - announcing when characters walk into a room sounds like old radio shows.
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On the subject of "Dumb Down", PLEASE remind me! Is it possible to view Netflix on phones instead??
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You can watch Netflix on phones, Eon C. Rambally.
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And of course! Momentarily I swore I was somehow out of touch with technology. Presentations are viewed on TV, phones, Tablets etc. Therefore generally should be at the highest professional levels possible!
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Tell people to put down their phones! If the story is compelling enough and people care about the characters would it not draw their attention away from doom scrolling etc?
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IMO - if someone pays you very well to dumb anything down, give 'em what they want; but I always keep in mind that historically, one of the first steps in the book of replacing democracy with autocracy is the dumbing down of all media, including film. So regardless of any Netflix plans, I plan on staying the course on intelligently written projects for a broad, international audience.
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Matthew Kelcourse Caveat: I know taste/preferences is/are subjective... Is there a level below dumb? Like a legitimate dumb sub-level?... Netflix has some great original programming, buttttttt some of the stuff I see...my brain actually hurts just reading the synopses... On the other side I am glad creators are getting paid/work. I really wonder, frequently, how many "bad" films/series fail at the production level vice the scripting/gatekeeping one?
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It explains so much.
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At the end of the day, I'm going to write from the soul Pamela Jaye Smith. If I was working for Netflix on a show, I'd be a paid employee that would need to heed their request even if it's not something I would do on a spec. I would do it out of respect for the company who is paying me. Would I like it or agree with it? Not a chance. Nor do I believe that it's good for the audience. It kills brain cells and I hear those don't grow back. LOL
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Good one Mike Childress - all I know is we give a show a decent 5-minute watch before deciding dumb vs not-dumb and move on. There's so many to choose from but there's also a lot that leave my dumb-founded as to how it got past a reader's desk. Then, show's like Ted and Murders keep my hopeful :-)
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As an aside - Agatha is 7 hours of our lives we'll never get back ;-(
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Matthew Kelcourse I mean streaming and triaging in 2024 is not videotaping (over your sister's ballet recital) on Beta and VHS in 1994! Much easier to sample and abort these days. Re: the aforementioned series I tried to watch it, but definitely not my cup o' tea (witches brew).
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My first comment is a good example of, when you "Dumb Down" presentations. Q; Should anyone want that for themselves or "recommend" for another? Great conversations collectively!