Videotaped vs. Filmed sitcoms-and whatever happened to v'taped sitcoms? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

shocolah · 10-21-2001, 10:28 AM

Since Roseanne left the air, I don't think there has been one new videotaped sitcom.
Anyway, do you think videotaped sitcoms are funnier than filmed ones? I like videotaped ones better.

ThomasE · 10-29-2001, 01:32 PM

You know what? You might be right. I am trying to think of some shows of today that would be videotaped but can't think of any at the moment. I liked shows that were videotaped though.

TV Guy · 10-30-2001, 12:04 AM

Yeah, it's amazing how videotape has fallen out of favor. Film is more expensive, but a lot of actors insist on it, feeling that they look better on film than in the harsh lighting of videotape. I remember seeing one of the 1970s "Lucy" specials that was done on videotape, rather than film, and everyone looked SO old in it.

11-01-2001, 01:24 AM

For a long time film looked better than videotape, but I think now they can be really close with the right lighting. It is well publicized that George Lucas is shooting Star Wars Episode II on High Definition video, then transferring it to film for projection in most theaters. He claims one scene in Episode I was shot on video and challenged people to figure out which one it is. I don't know if he's ever revealed the answer.

I'm not sure, but I think a lot of sitcom production now may actually be on High Definition video instead of film. When broadcast, they can process it so every sixth frame is replaced by the frame before it, so it looks like 24 frames per second film rather than 30 frames per second video. "The John Larroquette Show" I think was the first to do this (using standard definition video). The process they used was kind of annoying, but I think it has gotten better.

Also, somewhat off topic, does anyone know why many British shows (Dr. Who, for example) will mix video and film in the same episode? Interiors will be shot on video, but moments later the characters will walk outside and be on film. I think "The Nanny" did this at least once.

TV Guy · 11-01-2001, 06:16 PM

It's harder to make videotape look good outside the studio, because you have no control over the lighting. Some producers just choose to film outdoor scenes, rather than tape them.

Kane · 11-01-2001, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shocolah:
Since Roseanne left the air, I don't think there has been one new videotaped sitcom.
Anyway, do you think videotaped sitcoms are funnier than filmed ones? I like videotaped ones better.

There are a lot of filmed sitcoms that are great and funny. But I generally prefer videotaped ones. To me they're also more preferrable when the teenager is the central character, especially those in the '80s (like Silver Spoons). Many of them tend to be funnier than the filmed ones. But that's not to say that the filmed sitcoms are necessarily unfunny.

Hope this helps.

Lysol · 11-02-2001, 03:51 AM

hmm............can yall tell me what yall are talking about???????/..................videotaped VS filmed???

o.O;;;

TV Guy · 11-02-2001, 06:05 PM

They are different methods of recording a show for broadcast. Videotape looks more "live", like the local news. Film has a softer look, like the movies. "All in the Family", "Three's Company", and "The Cosby Show" were videotaped. "Cheers" and "Seinfeld" were filmed (as most sitcoms today are). Daytime soaps are videotaped; nighttime dramas are filmed. The best example I can give you is to compare the first season of "Newhart" (videotaped) to the other seasons (filmed). Then, you'll see what we mean.

Sean Snow · 11-02-2001, 07:04 PM

Wasn't "Three's Company" filmed? It looks a lot cleaner compared to the other video taped sitcoms.

TV Guy · 11-03-2001, 12:36 AM

TC is indeed taped (listen to the closing credits, where one of the cast members ususally says, "Three's Company was videotaped in front of a studio audience."). I'll agree with you, though -- the prints are pretty clean.

[This message has been edited by TV Guy (edited 11-02-2001).]

claren44 · 11-03-2001, 03:58 AM

Hey Dave,
The reasons the BBC,ITV,etc. used tape inside & film outside were:
TV cameras(video)were big & a pain to move except on a smooth surface(occasionally you can see them accidentally on old variety shows),& film cameras(16MM,maybe 35?)were light & cheap.So,they'd use basically hand-helds or lightweight tripods & minimal lighting for outdoor shots to keep the crews small & costs down.It seems like the late 80's before they went to tape in- & outdoors.love&peace,claren44

------------------
"Looceee!I'm home fram the club!"

Sean Snow · 11-03-2001, 11:40 AM

Yeah, they are pretty clean for video prints! The fact that it was videotaped doesn't stand out like on "All in the Family" or "Maude", or "Chico & the Man" and "Welcome Back, Kotter"

shocolah · 11-04-2001, 01:49 AM

Thanks for all the replies everyone- It looks like no new series will be videotaped any time soon!

10-21-2001, 10:28 AM	#1
shocolah Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 01, 2001 Posts: 546	Videotaped vs. Filmed sitcoms-and whatever happened to v'taped sitcoms? Since Roseanne left the air, I don't think there has been one new videotaped sitcom. Anyway, do you think videotaped sitcoms are funnier than filmed ones? I like videotaped ones better.

11-01-2001, 01:24 AM	#4
DaveM72 Guest Posts: n/a	For a long time film looked better than videotape, but I think now they can be really close with the right lighting. It is well publicized that George Lucas is shooting Star Wars Episode II on High Definition video, then transferring it to film for projection in most theaters. He claims one scene in Episode I was shot on video and challenged people to figure out which one it is. I don't know if he's ever revealed the answer. I'm not sure, but I think a lot of sitcom production now may actually be on High Definition video instead of film. When broadcast, they can process it so every sixth frame is replaced by the frame before it, so it looks like 24 frames per second film rather than 30 frames per second video. "The John Larroquette Show" I think was the first to do this (using standard definition video). The process they used was kind of annoying, but I think it has gotten better. Also, somewhat off topic, does anyone know why many British shows (Dr. Who, for example) will mix video and film in the same episode? Interiors will be shot on video, but moments later the characters will walk outside and be on film. I think "The Nanny" did this at least once.
DaveM72 Guest Posts: n/a

10-29-2001, 01:32 PM	#2
ThomasE Member Moderator Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2000 Location: New York, New York, U.S.A. Posts: 10,857	You know what? You might be right. I am trying to think of some shows of today that would be videotaped but can't think of any at the moment. I liked shows that were videotaped though.

10-30-2001, 12:04 AM	#3
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	Yeah, it's amazing how videotape has fallen out of favor. Film is more expensive, but a lot of actors insist on it, feeling that they look better on film than in the harsh lighting of videotape. I remember seeing one of the 1970s "Lucy" specials that was done on videotape, rather than film, and everyone looked SO old in it.

11-01-2001, 06:16 PM	#5
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	It's harder to make videotape look good outside the studio, because you have no control over the lighting. Some producers just choose to film outdoor scenes, rather than tape them.

11-02-2001, 03:51 AM	#7
Lysol Member Forum Hawk Join Date: Nov 02, 2001 Location: kd;sakfdpskfpsf Posts: 3	hmm............can yall tell me what yall are talking about???????/..................videotaped VS filmed??? o.O;;;

11-02-2001, 06:05 PM	#8
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	They are different methods of recording a show for broadcast. Videotape looks more "live", like the local news. Film has a softer look, like the movies. "All in the Family", "Three's Company", and "The Cosby Show" were videotaped. "Cheers" and "Seinfeld" were filmed (as most sitcoms today are). Daytime soaps are videotaped; nighttime dramas are filmed. The best example I can give you is to compare the first season of "Newhart" (videotaped) to the other seasons (filmed). Then, you'll see what we mean.

11-02-2001, 07:04 PM	#9
Sean Snow moo Forum Fanatic Join Date: May 06, 2001 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,407	Wasn't "Three's Company" filmed? It looks a lot cleaner compared to the other video taped sitcoms.

11-03-2001, 12:36 AM	#10
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	TC is indeed taped (listen to the closing credits, where one of the cast members ususally says, "Three's Company was videotaped in front of a studio audience."). I'll agree with you, though -- the prints are pretty clean. [This message has been edited by TV Guy (edited 11-02-2001).]

11-03-2001, 03:58 AM	#11
claren44 Member Forum Cub Join Date: Nov 03, 2001 Location: Meridian,MS USA Posts: 2	Hey Dave, The reasons the BBC,ITV,etc. used tape inside & film outside were: TV cameras(video)were big & a pain to move except on a smooth surface(occasionally you can see them accidentally on old variety shows),& film cameras(16MM,maybe 35?)were light & cheap.So,they'd use basically hand-helds or lightweight tripods & minimal lighting for outdoor shots to keep the crews small & costs down.It seems like the late 80's before they went to tape in- & outdoors.love&peace,claren44 ------------------ "Looceee!I'm home fram the club!"

11-03-2001, 11:40 AM	#12
Sean Snow moo Forum Fanatic Join Date: May 06, 2001 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,407	Yeah, they are pretty clean for video prints! The fact that it was videotaped doesn't stand out like on "All in the Family" or "Maude", or "Chico & the Man" and "Welcome Back, Kotter"

11-04-2001, 01:49 AM	#13
shocolah Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 01, 2001 Posts: 546	Thanks for all the replies everyone- It looks like no new series will be videotaped any time soon!