Is it just me or are the older tv shows filmed so much better too? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

LUNCH · 10-12-2011, 01:59 PM

A few months ago I watched a few episodes of the remake of Hawaii 5-0.But this also applies to other modern tv shows.Anyhow when I viewed it,the camera work was terrible.I think it's called 'shaky cam' or something like that where they don't hold the camera still. Plus they switch back and forth on close-ups so quickly,2 seconds and then they switch to another close up for 3 seconds etc..It almost makes you dizzy.Not to mention the colors are not as dynamic on modern shows.Seems they use filters and all types of other things.What do you think? A 1965 episode of lets say Gilligans Island being one example of many looks 100 times better.

tiredmike59 · 10-12-2011, 02:21 PM

Thats what I noticed watching an episode of The Office, looked like it was filmed with a cam corder. Terrible

LUNCH · 10-12-2011, 02:30 PM

Yeah who ever films these newer shows think they are being clever or whatever,but it looks like they were filmed by people who never even held a camera before.

tiredmike59 · 10-12-2011, 02:39 PM

I think the producer's nephew got a video camera for christmas.

Sammy Reed · 10-12-2011, 02:45 PM

This "MTV-ization" of TV started happening in the mid-90's - Shaky cameras, doing what I call "BennyHill-a-vision" to the motion, putting a fake "film" effect to live events or shows on video (soap operas did that for a while but I think they've quit that now, local wrestling shows), etc.
After all, they're "awesome, kewl effects" that we all enjoy seeing. (or to quote that chef on "Little Rascals" - "Mush! All de chilrehn love mush!")
You'd think there would be a time when fads like this would die out. Unfortunately, there are fads lately that TV producers want to keep alive artificially on life support. This is one of those things.

Marvo301 · 10-12-2011, 02:46 PM

Back in the day making TV shows was not just a job it was a craft. A craft in people took pride in doing well. Of course back then they weren't thinking about syndication, DVD's etc. they were just trying to make the best TV shows they could. These days I think the motivation is just to make shows as inexpensively as possible in order to maximize profits not only from the original run but also from syndication, DVD's etc. Quality has been sacrificed in exchange for profit.

broadmoor · 10-12-2011, 03:28 PM

In terms of filming techniques, I VASTLY prefer the older style of longer takes and deep-focus cinematography. The longer takes draw me more into the plot and the deep-focus draws me more into the atmosphere. As a viewer, I feel a greater sense of fullness and satisfaction from these things. The newer filming styles leave me cold... it always seems like an endless series of quick-clipped comments and close-up faces, back and forth, in a hazy, formless backdrop of blurs and hyperkinetic camerawork. I never get a sense of 'place' anymore, and even characters start to seem less like real people, and more like emoting heads, floating in space. The more I see of new drama shows, the more I absolutely crave the older ones.

robyrob · 10-12-2011, 04:07 PM

they are catering to the lowest denominator and trying to please those with the non-existent attention span; they fear that if something flashy and exciting doesn't happen every second the viewer will have lost interset and change the channel.

yet they don't understand when people get upset at having to sit through 16 minutes of commercials per hour...

1960'sTVfan · 10-12-2011, 04:32 PM

Today's TV is crap, the old shows are much better. Back in the day, TV was done with a lot more care and professionalism, even the commercials were better. While there are many old shows I'm not really fond of, I'd rather see a repeat of any old show (50's, 60's, some 70's) than anything from the 80's and forward. That's how bad TV has become and I doubt it will get better. I stick to watching the retro TV stations and DVD's/VHS tapes I own of favorite old shows/movies and that's it.

LUNCH · 10-12-2011, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robyrob

they are catering to the lowest denominator and trying to please those with the non-existent attention span; they fear that if something flashy and exciting doesn't happen every second the viewer will have lost interset and change the channel.

I agree.That seems to be the viewers they are going after.Those few episodes of the remake of Hawaii 5-0 I mentioned earlier moved so FAST,but not in a good way.It's almost like they are filming these modern shows for a bunch of children with some type of attention disorder.No offense to anyone by the way.Plus it all comes back of course to the total lack of talent both in front and behind the cameras too.

Goldilocks · 10-12-2011, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retroTVfan4ever

Today's TV is crap, the old shows are much better. Back in the day, TV was done with a lot more care and professionalism, even the commercials were better. While there are many old shows I'm not really fond of, I'd rather see a repeat of any old show (50's, 60's, some 70's) than anything from the 80's and forward. That's how bad TV has become and I doubt it will get better. I stick to watching the retro TV stations and DVD's/VHS tapes I own of favorite old shows/movies and that's it.

Yeah! This ^

Sammy Reed · 10-12-2011, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUNCH

It's almost like they are filming these modern shows for a bunch of children with some type of attention disorder.

No offense taken. It's just, that's what they seem to think we are, see?

LUNCH · 10-12-2011, 05:55 PM

I've watched a few very modern British comedies like "The Old Guys","After You've Gone" and "My Family" on stations like PBS.While they are not really good shows they are not that bad either.And the camera work on those shows is good.They are filmed pretty much like sitcoms have always been filmed.They are filmed alot better than modern American television that's for sure.

clj2 · 10-12-2011, 06:25 PM

I guess I'm in the minority but I like the camerawork on the new Hawaii Five-O - it's kinda exciting - but I don't mind the older camera work either.

AKA · 10-12-2011, 08:45 PM

Breaking Bad is the most beautifully-filmed show in the history of television.

10-12-2011, 01:59 PM	#1
LUNCH Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Location: New York State Posts: 1,304	Is it just me or are the older tv shows filmed so much better too? A few months ago I watched a few episodes of the remake of Hawaii 5-0.But this also applies to other modern tv shows.Anyhow when I viewed it,the camera work was terrible.I think it's called 'shaky cam' or something like that where they don't hold the camera still. Plus they switch back and forth on close-ups so quickly,2 seconds and then they switch to another close up for 3 seconds etc..It almost makes you dizzy.Not to mention the colors are not as dynamic on modern shows.Seems they use filters and all types of other things.What do you think? A 1965 episode of lets say Gilligans Island being one example of many looks 100 times better.
	Last edited by LUNCH; 10-12-2011 at 05:44 PM.

10-12-2011, 02:46 PM	#6
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	Back in the day making TV shows was not just a job it was a craft. A craft in people took pride in doing well. Of course back then they weren't thinking about syndication, DVD's etc. they were just trying to make the best TV shows they could. These days I think the motivation is just to make shows as inexpensively as possible in order to maximize profits not only from the original run but also from syndication, DVD's etc. Quality has been sacrificed in exchange for profit.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

10-12-2011, 04:07 PM	#8
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,176	they are catering to the lowest denominator and trying to please those with the non-existent attention span; they fear that if something flashy and exciting doesn't happen every second the viewer will have lost interset and change the channel. yet they don't understand when people get upset at having to sit through 16 minutes of commercials per hour...
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10-12-2011, 06:25 PM	#14
clj2 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 16, 2005 Location: SC Posts: 3,501	I guess I'm in the minority but I like the camerawork on the new Hawaii Five-O - it's kinda exciting - but I don't mind the older camera work either.
	__________________ -Chris

10-12-2011, 02:21 PM	#2
tiredmike59 Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 05, 2010 Location: OUTLAW STATE {MO} Posts: 1,868	Thats what I noticed watching an episode of The Office, looked like it was filmed with a cam corder. Terrible

10-12-2011, 02:30 PM	#3
LUNCH Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Location: New York State Posts: 1,304	Yeah who ever films these newer shows think they are being clever or whatever,but it looks like they were filmed by people who never even held a camera before.

10-12-2011, 02:39 PM	#4
tiredmike59 Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 05, 2010 Location: OUTLAW STATE {MO} Posts: 1,868	I think the producer's nephew got a video camera for christmas.

10-12-2011, 02:45 PM	#5
Sammy Reed Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 19, 2003 Posts: 403	This "MTV-ization" of TV started happening in the mid-90's - Shaky cameras, doing what I call "BennyHill-a-vision" to the motion, putting a fake "film" effect to live events or shows on video (soap operas did that for a while but I think they've quit that now, local wrestling shows), etc. After all, they're "awesome, kewl effects" that we all enjoy seeing. (or to quote that chef on "Little Rascals" - "Mush! All de chilrehn love mush!") You'd think there would be a time when fads like this would die out. Unfortunately, there are fads lately that TV producers want to keep alive artificially on life support. This is one of those things.

10-12-2011, 03:28 PM	#7
broadmoor Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 10, 2010 Location: texas Posts: 489	In terms of filming techniques, I VASTLY prefer the older style of longer takes and deep-focus cinematography. The longer takes draw me more into the plot and the deep-focus draws me more into the atmosphere. As a viewer, I feel a greater sense of fullness and satisfaction from these things. The newer filming styles leave me cold... it always seems like an endless series of quick-clipped comments and close-up faces, back and forth, in a hazy, formless backdrop of blurs and hyperkinetic camerawork. I never get a sense of 'place' anymore, and even characters start to seem less like real people, and more like emoting heads, floating in space. The more I see of new drama shows, the more I absolutely crave the older ones.

10-12-2011, 04:32 PM	#9
1960'sTVfan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 6,073	Today's TV is crap, the old shows are much better. Back in the day, TV was done with a lot more care and professionalism, even the commercials were better. While there are many old shows I'm not really fond of, I'd rather see a repeat of any old show (50's, 60's, some 70's) than anything from the 80's and forward. That's how bad TV has become and I doubt it will get better. I stick to watching the retro TV stations and DVD's/VHS tapes I own of favorite old shows/movies and that's it.

10-12-2011, 05:55 PM	#13
LUNCH Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Location: New York State Posts: 1,304	I've watched a few very modern British comedies like "The Old Guys","After You've Gone" and "My Family" on stations like PBS.While they are not really good shows they are not that bad either.And the camera work on those shows is good.They are filmed pretty much like sitcoms have always been filmed.They are filmed alot better than modern American television that's for sure.

10-12-2011, 08:45 PM	#15
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Breaking Bad is the most beautifully-filmed show in the history of television.