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?
In her writing, Spigel states that the television was considered a “window on the world” that could transform the viewers position on the couch into a front row seat. Spigel set up this idea of the television as a window against the newly popular architectural design of “large picture windows and sliding glass doors” (26). With this new shift in popular interior design came a fear that one could be viewed through these “problem windows” in their own home creating a fishbowl effect. The TV was seen as a window that would never look back. But there was still a fear around this new window potentially being a “problem window” as well; viewers could potentially be watched through the television’s camera. Spigel also, continues to describe the view the TV audience received as “a vision of the world which the human eye itself could never see” (27). I think TV continues to do this even today. Through editing techniques that allow us to see in close-up the details of an actors face that would be missed in the back row of a theater. TV shows take place all over the world, are live or previously filmed, and allow us to watch real people in their every day lives and characters that are larger than life portrayed by actors. In these ways TV remains our window on the world, and our front row seat at the show.
ReplyDeleteThe clip demonstrates this idea of a front row seat to every show. The audience is always put at the front of the stage for the many performances shown. And we even see a close up of the man holding his golf club- a view we could only get if we were actually there. This clip had many similarities to a news program. At the beginning we see close-ups of men and women explaining what the program will show and the differences between TV and film. In the contemporary example of a news show these could be news anchors. Continuing this comparison we could see the many acts where different performers are featured as in the field reporting segments; especially the segment with the golfer, in which there is a man talking to the camera describing what the golfer is doing. This very clearly resembles field reporting with the man speaking to the camera acting as the reporter.
During the period of 1948-1955 television as well as the theories and ideas based on it rapidly transformed. The medium was completely foreign to the general public and curiosity as well as fear plagued those who brought television into their lives. Many envisioned television in a utopian light, believing this medium could bring forth new ideas and give the public a new outlook on life. Others, however, cried dystopia, claiming that the device would tear apart families and relationships, as well as a great fear of television not merely being a device to watch, but as a way for others to watch them. Spigel notes these two opposing sides, as well as states the view that television was considered, “A window on the world,” a statement that held true during that time, and still holds merit to this day.
ReplyDeleteIn her article, Spigel quotes a book published by one Thomas G. Hutchinson in 1946 titled Here is Television, Your Window on the World. In this book Hutchinson writes how television was the first instrument to truly bring the outside world into the home, thereby achieving one of mankind’s ambitions (3). The article continues by explaining that television gave the general population the ability the ability to “go places” without ever stepping foot out their front door. As well as bringing the outside world in, television was able to find space within the home which blended with the aesthetics and gave the home the illusion of space. In addition, during the time of television’s rise, much of the world was cloaked in fear and uncertainty due to the rising tensions of world powers and the Cold War, fear on the homefront with McCarthyism and the Red Scare, and clash amongst races as the Civil Rights Movement began to take place. With all of these outside problems closing in, the world television was able to create often provided the population with an escape from everyday life.
These points that Spigel and others note about television still hold merit to this day, though many concepts have transformed due to changing times. Television is still considered as “a window on the world,” but unlike during its early years, television is not merely confined to the home, but can be taken right out the door and into the outside world. Today, the population has the ability to escape and unlock this new world, while simultaneously immersed in the outside world. Through technology including smartphones, tablets, and laptops, people have the ability to “go places” while actually out and about. Therefore, television has adapted. Television isn’t merely bringing the outside into our homes, but it allowing those who are already outside to find solitude in a world different than their own. However, there are many concepts that Spigel stated that are still prevalent in our society. The issue of television, or other devices not merely being ways for the population to view, but for the population to be viewed by an outside source. Especially with the advancement of technology and surveillance in this day and age, Spigel’s point holds very much true and is still a fear that is associated with television and technology.
As for the clip of the British television, this truly demonstrates how starkly different from television today. The sets are bare and simple, drawing the viewers’ attention to the subject on the screen. The use of closeup is employed more often than generally seen today, as well as breaking the fourth wall and addressing the audience. By directly addressing us as an audience we feel more connected to the scene and more a part of their world. This direct address also adds a formal element, we feel as though we know these people, that we are being taught gold by an old friend, or that the woman singing to us knows us and it’s our own private concert. This breech of the fourth wall as well as the extended use of close ups is something that is rarely seen today on television, save a news broadcast.
In her article, Spigel talks about the Television's ability to bring "another world" into the domestic space. The conclusion being that in doing this man is able to domesticate the entire world from their couch. Because images of places like Moscow or Berlin could be shown inside their home people were encouraged to feel as if they were more connected to these places. She further argues that because of the TV's ability to bring the world to your doorstep and the fact that it was encouraged as necessary part of the modern home more people bought TVs overall.
ReplyDeleteIn many ways i do feel as if the television plays a similar role today. for example many news stations will show current events such as the recent protest in Ferguson, MO. While michigan is more than 600 miles from missouri watching the clips on TV makes it seem like it could be happening right outside your window.
When i comes to the clip of the British Televison i am going to have to disagree slightly with Margarets point about the differences between televison then and now. I find some of the programming to be similar to today's. One example being the program that showcased the women's clothing while a woman described the style to the audience. I find this really similar to the programs on tv that showcase expensive jewelry rotating in a close up while the audience hears the voiceover of a woman describing what kind of cut the diamond is and from where it was imported. Also the scene with the golfer showcasing the different kind of grips you can use while tee-ing off reminded me of informational shorts on the news today where a reporter will review an item and tell if it is worth the buy. Yet i will concede that this "direct address" style of television is only really used with news stations today.
Also here's a Youtube clip of an example of the jewelry display I was referencing in my post
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/8-He-FEdNy4?t=9m43s