So what do everyone think about them? I understand the need to "suspend disbelief" and all that but I don't think there is any excuse for these new camera angles, and I think they're right up there with those magical cell phones that selectively let you hear some guy on the other end of the conversation. I don't like it, but I can accept cameras in people's dressing rooms or at convenient locations backstage without any explanation whatsoever, but this latest trend is just insulting.
Why would there be a camera inside Austin's truck? Do they fit one in everyone's vehicle just in case it might feature in the show? Why is there a camera on the front of the lorry the nWo used? Yeah, it's all sportz entertainment but does this mean we have to sit back and accept everything (well, yes it does since we can't change a damn thing, but you know what I mean...). It seems that this new "Desire" era is taking McMahon's promise of action-adventure that he made during Halftime Heat a couple of years back, to it's fulfilment. Now camera's are everywhere, and I can take that to a certain extent, but what do these new angles actually add to the product? I didn't think it added more drama, just a kind of "Duh" factor that detracts from the show and totally interupts the suspension of disbelief. I can't shake the mindset that I'm watching a sport, albeit one with extracurricular activities, but a sport nonetheless. As a result I expect it to confrom to certain conventions, and the main conventions I ask for are logic and continuity. If there's an obvious reason that a camera should be on the passengers side of a vehicle, then fine, or if it's explained to me why it's there then fine too. As it is, it seems that we're totally leaving the domain of being a simulated sport and moving yet further into this action-adventure ideal of Vince's. More's the shame.
"Nobody enjoys a good time more than I do, but this business of yours is as legitimate as a three-legged donkey...which of course is illegitimate because as we all know donkeys have four legs."
I don't personally let these things get to me. If I spent all my time nitpicking every unrealistic thing in the WWF, I'd never have time to watch the show. I don't think having a camera on the dash of a truck is any more unrealistic than Ray Traylor still having a job.
Now, Star Trek: TNG....THERE's a fun show to nitpick. There's a book about it! Two, actually.
I dunno, I think I'm just worried this sort of thing might be symptomatic of a wider trend. I like wrestling, and I like angles on top. I liked the nWo truck thing as it established them as super heels, I didn't like the super Austin kindof rendering it pointless a couple of days later, but thats personal preference. I'm trying to bring up the technique of presentation being used here, as it's yet more of entertainment being more important than the sport.
Take the ambulance smash. I liked it, as I said above, but it would have been as effective had they just shown a side on camera view. I don't see what this new trend adds, it just adds to the fake factor, which is bad IMO. Yes it's all fake, but does it have be presented in such a way that makes it blindingly obvious?
Edit: missing word
(edited by Qubber on 25.2.02 1451)"Nobody enjoys a good time more than I do, but this business of yours is as legitimate as a three-legged donkey...which of course is illegitimate because as we all know donkeys have four legs."Lance Storm, 21st January 2002.
It already is blindingly obvious. This is just a different kind of blindingly obvious. I recall a discussion I had with a guy who knows Stevie Richards (not to namedrop. Honestly I fucking hate this guy who knows Stevie, but the comment is appropriate) who told me that Stevie once said, "If you can believe for a second that anyone could ever beat Bob Holly in a fight, then you've already suspended your disbelief." My point is, if you can believe that a 50-year-old man can win a world title with a crappy legdrop, then you can believe in magic truck cameras. Clap your hands hard enough, and Hogan can fly.
I don't want to sound like a stick-in-the-mud, but if you're so against "suspending disbelief" why in the world are you watching professional wrestling? To even enjoy it, you have to suspend disbelief even a little bit-since the majority of it is a work. So what does it matter if the WWF is using different camera angles? You're already watching a worked show! But I see your point.
...Some fear the Pink... ...But many fear....THE MOUNTIE! (He's handsome, he's brave, and he's strong, you know)
I'm all for the supension of disbelief, it's essential to enjoy the show, what I'm against are things that blatantly disrupt that suspension of disbelief. I'm complaining because I see this as another step away from "wrestling" as the concept at the heart of the show and a step towards "soap" replacing it. Maybe I've really badly articulated what I'm getting at here. Apologies if that is so.
"Nobody enjoys a good time more than I do, but this business of yours is as legitimate as a three-legged donkey...which of course is illegitimate because as we all know donkeys have four legs."
It reminded me of something Mick Foley wrote in his second book about Halftime Heat. He was watching the match while in an airport waiting for a flight and everyone around him was getting into the match. But he pointed out that the second they did the overhead shot of Rocky at the end, all belief was stranded and the match seemingly died right there.
"Nobody loves the custodian. I come and I sweep and vacuum for you. When you're in the mood to go to the bathroom, I even disinfect it for you! This is the thanks I get?!? All who defy me shall be dis-infected!"
Actually, in this case, I could explain away the camera in the NWO semi - obviously, since the NWO planned this out, they had the camera there to capture the moment. Then Vince threatened to fire the clip editors if they didn't splice in that shot... or something.
It sure seems like I'm making a lot more "and the cameraman does NOTHING to help!" observations lately, though, doesn't it? HMMMMM.
Originally posted by CRZActually, in this case, I could explain away the camera in the NWO semi - obviously, since the NWO planned this out, they had the camera there to capture the moment. Then Vince threatened to fire the clip editors if they didn't splice in that shot... or something.
It sure seems like I'm making a lot more "and the cameraman does NOTHING to help!" observations lately, though, doesn't it? HMMMMM.
The cameramen are supposed to be completely neutral, like reporters. Their just supposed to watch and show the "action" taking place.
If they helped out, they'd probably lose their jobs, (or get the crap beaten out of them by the wrestler their NOT helping.)
(edited by Excalibur05 on 25.2.02 1137)
These mini Reeses cup things are addictive...
Originally posted by Super Shane SpearIt reminded me of something Mick Foley wrote in his second book about Halftime Heat. He was watching the match while in an airport waiting for a flight and everyone around him was getting into the match. But he pointed out that the second they did the overhead shot of Rocky at the end, all belief was stranded and the match seemingly died right there.
I haven't read Foley's second book, but he is exactly right here (as well he should be). Everyone always bitched about that match, but I actually liked it- until the end. I still have bad visions of that god awful shot of the Rock's face as he's getting pinned. If they want to have magical cameras during angles like the truck attack I won't really like it, but I don't get bothered by it(there is always some way to expalin it away as CRZ did above), but in a WWF title match? That was just upsetting to me. I mean you just could NOT explain away a camera man (or a mounted camera) being on the platform of a forklift. So, if they want to do goofy Hollywood stuff out of the ring that's cool, but keep it out of matches- especially WWF title matches!
"...the people ran, they ran all right, they ran right to the toilet, pulled their pants down, took one big Hulk-a-CRAP every time you opened your mouth!"