FAMST 101D Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Father Knows Best, Crass, Deep Focus
Document Summary
Commercialism breeds crass imitation, but also experimentation and innovation. Late 1950s suburban sitcoms fit with network priorities: Single-camera (beverly hillbillies, bewitched, donna reed, father knows best, etc. ) Flat lighting; used only for illumination (not expressive) Clip: the monsters are due on maple street [watch this] Compare twilight zone style to anthology drama and sitcom re: camera, lighting, sound, staging, and editing (check section notes) Despite commercial priorities and pressures, the tz was: Embraces the expressive trends in theater and cinema. By 1960, the network oligopoly was fully formed. Yet, growing criticism from opinion leaders, politicians, fcc, and creative community. Prevails but constantly has to regain/earn leadership control as times change. Tv conveys a dominant ideology, but it also needs to be popular (opening itself up to differently positioned audiences) In order to be popular, have to open up narrative to questions that unity ange.
