A History of TV Style (Discussion)

All groups

1. Explain the concept that goes by the terms, "technological manifest destiny" and "technological determinism." Why is it a mistaken notion when applied to TV?
   • What are some examples that you've seen that prove this concept is wrong? (Don't rely on the examples in the book and you can refer to technology other than that involving video or TV.)
2. What is a kinescope? How were kinescopes created and what characterized how they looked? (See figures in Television and the online Clorox commercials. Which is the kinescope--the image on the left or the one on the right?)

Group 1

1. Outline the history of video editing. How did these technological changes have an impact on TV style?
2. Why type of editing equipment do you suppose was used to cut the following programs:
   • All My Children
   • CSI (take your pick of the variations)
   • The Office
   • The Cosby Show

Group 2

1. List the elements of the production of I Love Lucy that make it significant to the history of TV style. Be prepared to explain why each element is important.
2. What are examples of recent (within the past five years) programs that are shot the same way that Lucy was shot?

Group 3

1. The history of color TV is very complicated. Create a timeline that lists the significant events leading up to color TV's widespread implimentation.
2. What impact did color technology have on TV style?
3. What is the NTSC and why was it created?

Group 4

1. When did the remote control first appear and what were the names of the early devices?
   • How did they work?
2. How do modern remote controls work and when did they become commonly used?
3. What have broadcast networks done to try to combat zapping?

Bibliography

1. Butler, Jeremy G. Television: Critical Methods and Applications. Mahweh, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2007.

External links

• Clorox commercials (password protected). Which one is a kinescope?