Shows working for our attention

[November]

I am definitely guilty of scrolling on my phone while watching tv, playing with pets or doing crochet when it's something that requires a bit more attention.

I just started a show today that is really working hard to keep my eyes on the tv. I watched the first episode this morning, and restarted it this afternoon because it was more entertaining than I had expected, and I knew I had missed too much going into ep 2 - but I didn't realize I had missed this much!!

They are using writing on the screen, none of which I read first time. Also placement of names and pictures of people relevant to the story, artwork, but as it was in silence, I was looking away and didnt catch it. Some of the shots are beautiful, but I just didn't see it, assuming it was just another drama show. It gives far more depth to the story, when it doesn't have much story yet.

Have you noticed this in some shows? The creators have obviously clued into people checking out while watching tv and making a big effort to keep the attention. I am impressed!

 

[nightshade]

Yeah I definitely don't focus on television and movies these days. Maybe I should start going to the cinema again as you're forced to stay in place and watch without being on a phone.

 

[TheXandyman]

I'm especially careful what shows i invest in - i hate it when you get into a new show only for it to be cancelled after one season.

 

[Miath]

Personally when I'm watching TV or a movie that's all I'm doing. The "phone" (quotations because they're not telephones, they're computers) is on the other side of the room and turned off. But that's because if I get distracted I'm no longer watching the thing and will promptly forget about it to go do other things so...

 

[Cohen]

For me it depends on what I am watching. There’s definitely must-see but I also get in the habit of checking my phone. I do sometimes follow @MiaththeRed and put my phone in another room to make me more invested.

 

[thrasherpix]

I've noticed a seemingly growing trend (or maybe just my watching a lot more than I used to, back when I noticed this) that the first ep was usually much more dramatic and appealing to immediate base appetites and/or very emotional scenes in the first, but then it becomes almost tame. It's not always about establishing motivation which would be different as it doesn't impact the story at all, and quickly forgotten (hmm, while I didn't include BTVS in this, I wonder if Jesse counts for that?).

It's like the first ep is the flickering lights to get you to come in, and thus if I want to know what a show is likely to be like, I base that more on the 2nd ep (or 3rd if the first was a 2-parter) than 1st. It doesn't always work, but turns out true a surprising number of times that it's a rule of thumb for me now.

 

[November]

It's like the first ep is the flickering lights to get you to come in, and thus if I want to know what a show is likely to be like, I base that more on the 2nd ep (or 3rd if the first was a 2-parter) than 1st. It doesn't always work, but turns out true a surprising number of times that it's a rule of thumb for me now.

Yes this rings very true for the show I refer to now. By ep 3 its lost a lot of that depth in non verbal scenes, but now I am invested enough to want to finish it.

Flickering the lights is a good way to put it.

 

[Plasma]

I am definitely guilty of scrolling on my phone while watching tv, playing with pets or doing crochet when it's something that requires a bit more attention.

They more or less plan for this with certain programs! A lot of procedural shows like CSI or Law & Order don’t really expect the viewer to sit there and watch 24/7, and it’s the same with soap operas. They make sure you know when cool or important stuff is happening with big music stings, but other than that it’s a lot of filler.

Have you noticed this in some shows? The creators have obviously clued into people checking out while watching tv and making a big effort to keep the attention. I am impressed!

It depends on the program 🙂. Some rely on a complex narrative that you have to engage with. Others have very charismatic characters. Others still, humor to keep you engaged, and the list goes on!

 

[Dogs of Winter]

I am definitely guilty of scrolling on my phone while watching tv, playing with pets or doing crochet when it's something that requires a bit more attention.

I struggle with it and not just when a show is a bit boring.
I can be really enjoying a film and then I see someone I vaguely recognise. So I have to check who it is, then I click to see what else I have seen them in and the next thing I know I have missed 15 minutes !

Although I am currently watching Fargo S5 and it has been such a good mix of character / action / humour so far that I haven't been distracted

Personally when I'm watching TV or a movie that's all I'm doing. The "phone" (quotations because they're not telephones, they're computers) is on the other side of the room and turned off.

I will definitely have to start leaving my phone on the other side of the room !

 

[November]

A lot of procedural shows like CSI or Law & Order don’t really expect the viewer to sit there and watch 24/7, and it’s the same with soap operas.

These were all around before mobile phones were 😀 the boarding house master used to quiz us in the adverts about CSI and give use chocolate if we got the answers right to keep us shut up during it haha.

The predictable shows are easier to check out of, so its nice when I find something unexpected (Like Boy Swallows Universe as the first post was about).

@Dogs of Winter Fargo S5 kept my attention no problem too! Although I did do some hand sewing while watching.

 

[TheMaster666]

I couldn't fathom looking at anything else if I'm watching tv. Unless I know it's something mediocre like Family Guy, which is perfectly fine to have on in the background, but not something I care about or seriously follow. Any tv I actually like, of course I'm interested in that.

God I hate most of the moments I spend online anyway, why the heck would I want more of that distracting me when I'm doing something I actually like? The whole point of entertainment is to entertain--to distract you, to lose yourself in the world for an hour or a half.

I've never understood the bashing of smart phones either. I value my phone a great deal for its utility--web while outside the house, phone/text obviously, email, Uber/Lyft, flashlight, calculator, etc. It's not very practical as a toy or a time-waster.