Wednesday, November 1, 2006

Television Creativity

Some Questions of the Day

How is creativity negotiated in Hollywood for television programs?
How do advertisers contribute to the creation of television programs?
What is the role of a television producer?
How does it differ from the role of a movie producer?

29 comments:

  1. Television programs today are a complex and intricate system of networking and negotiation. Creativity is a foundation of television programming, and is negotiated through a system of generative mechanics. This system is reliant on itself and its internal components in order for it to work. Viewers give money and time to stations and advertisers. Who intern relies on networks, the FCC and syndicate cable operators. These components are reliant on congress, money and the program producers. This complex system, however, is necessary in order for a program to exist. Television producers must keep all these facets in mind, while maintain the ethos of the program and its message. Unlike television producers, movie produces have more freedom. Their program is independent and there for does not have as many players to answer to. As this is the case they have more freedom to explore without the creative stifling of stations or advertisers, conversely they do not have the security which TV producers can generally enjoy.

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  2. Creativity is negotiated for television through the basic need of all American people and companies: money. This money is provided to television producers through networks and eventually syndicated cable networks to keep the show on the air. The networks are given money by advertising firms in exchange for an audience, air time to play the commercials. Networks also give out money to stationsto play the programs that the network has created, in exchange the station provides them with an audience who will view the program as well as the advertisements that are paid to be shown during the program. Advertising firms recieve their money from the viewers who watch the commercials and buy the products advertised. Stations pay syndicators and cable operators for good programing (reruns) in order to attract more business from advertising firms.

    The government is also influencial in the creativity of tv through the FCC, or Federal Communications Commission. The FCC is influenced by political pressure from the viewers, mainly special interest groups. The FCC controls licensing to stations who in turn promise to act in a manner fitting the current FCC's political agenda. So its really all a matter of money and the ability to advertise products to a large viewership.

    A Television Producers job is to make a show that:
    A) people want to watch
    B) advertisers want to market on
    C) stays out of trouble with the FCC
    They also are very important to the entire chemistry of the show, and ultimatly its fate as a program.

    A movie producer is vastly different that a tv producer in so many ways. For starters there are very few government restrictions placed on films, mainly the exclusion of hardcore nudity. Secondly, a film producer doesnt have to worry about appeasing people to get a budget. His budget is already given to him by the studio. He also has almost complete creative control over the pace, direction, action, plot, and characters of a film. A movie producer is given freedoms that a tv producer could only dream about.

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  3. Creativity is negotiated in Hollywood in several different ways the first is through constituencies of interest. This means that creativity must be negotiated because you want to appeal to the masses. The second type of negotiation takes place because networks, producers, and the public all want something different. Networks want money, the public wants to be entertained, and producers want to deliver a message. Advertising contribute to the creation of television programs because they want to target a specific group of people. If viewers are unhappy with a show they may boycott certain goods, and this means that the advertisers put pressure on the networks to change the program. The role of a T.V. producer depends on how successful they are. If they are well know they will be allowed more freedom to produce what they want. However, most of the time the producer produces programs that are negotiated. This differs from the movie producer because in movies audiences are not taken into account. It is an all or nothing game there is no continuation just one production. Depending upon how well know the producer is will dictate how much freedom they have in producing what they want.

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  4. I have to disagree with flood's argument concerning movie producers not taking the audience into account when filming a movie. Because a movie producer lacks much of the intense pressure from the corporate world they are better able to focus in on the things that they believe the audience wants to see and hear and feel. While independent film producers may not shoot for the mainstream audience it only better exemplifies the freedom given to producers of films rather than tv.

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  5. creativity is negotiated in hollywood by the use of shows and movies. the ideas used are creative in the fact that they can depict life in a serious way but be fiction at the same time. they use this creativenes to arrise many different topics which may be very controversial or topics which may need talking about. advertiser contribut by making the whole thing go round. they pay telecision stations to air their advertisments in ewhich viewers will then pay for their product. the advertisers pay the stations for air time. a television producer is the creator and the care giver of a show, they are the people who keep the show going and nurse it to good health. they make the show a hit or not. a movie producer has a lot of the same things to do but there is a conclusion to their work, where as a television show producer may continue for years on a work.

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  6. I agree with Steve that creativity is the foundation of television programming. It is a complex process and not a simple as some think. Like Steve said negotiation takes place between many different people before a program is agreed upon. The audience gives money to advertisers who intern has a say in the program. From here the network must negotiate with the advertisers as well as the producers making sure not to upset the FCC who is controlled by Congress. I also agree that movie producers have much more freedom than television producers. They have less people to negotiate with and depending upon how popular they are the more freedom they enjoy. I think you’re also right that movie producers do not have much job security. If they make one bad movie it maybe over for them while T.V. producers have someone to share the blame with if something goes wrong.

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  7. I agree with Sheag’s comments regarding the process in television programs are initiated. Sheag makes a good point in including money as the basic need of all American people and companies, because at its foundation the entertainment industry is nothing more that an business. He goes on to effectively explained the complexity of the system and the hurtles which must be overcome in order for a television program to work. He goes on to include the important influential impact of the government in television creativity.

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  8. mcelhinney i agree with for his idea of television creativeness. they are very intricate shows that are systems of generated mechanics. it is definitly relying on itself and others outside of the main productions viewers are a huge asspect. advertising keep the the whole organization in motion, everything relies on one another and the advertising is where most of the money comes from. television has many components for the producer to deal with and movie producers ahve less they all have very important jobs for creation of their ideas.

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  9. As discussed in the slides during class creativity in Hollywood television programs is negotiated through generative mechanics. And in this system all the pieces have to come together and work smoothly to create a harmonious outcome. As for the advertisers contributing to the television programs we can also see from the handout given out in class that money comes from the viewers to the advertisers who in return give their money to the stations and the networks in order to market themselves to specific markets. their contribution of money is huge and also it may keep some audiences intrigued. The Television producers role is significant they do it all from the hiring of the cast, the general position and stance the show will take, and the going over the script with the writers. there role is pretty much endless including the fact that they have to make sure that the show is follows all rules and regulations and is able to air. As for movie producers there freedom is much more expansive and they are able to produce a type of show that they wish for example horror, comedy, romance and do it the way they want it done. They do not have to worry about the language they use or the sex they show. this will all be used to determine the rating of the movie.

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  10. I agree with steve in his whole perception of the creativeness concerning hollywood. I like the whay he worked in the networking piece and the truly intricate system that it is. I enjoyed your views on tv producers as well and your in depth perception of their roles and restraints. they truly do have a unique job. I agree that movie producers have more freedom. And i am sure that movie producers security is not all that high however i feel that a show can probably flop just as easy if not easier than a movie. but good pionts and you had some interesting thoughts. Good talk

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  11. The way creativity is negotiated in Hollywood is by the movies and shows that are produce. A producer rights his movie or TV show but by the time it get to television it is depicted in a whole different way, then intended that is on way creativity is negotiated in Hollywood also. But other ways creativity is negotiated is through generative mechanics, which means it needs to come together for it work and come together as one. The way that advertisers contribute to television programs is by use the viewers giving money to the advertisers and then advertisers giving money to the network. The role of the producer is to see that every thing is taken care of from the hiring of cast, if the movie or show is following the script and FCC rules and but the role from them does not finish there it has to meet and make sure every thing is going to plan. But In the case of a movie producer they have more things to worry about and have more money in to the movie then a show. They have to seat and read through everything from story boards, to what is the film going to be horror, comedy, etc. but in the aspect of the tune of the movie they can have sex, drugs and violence in the movie that is why they have rating to see if it is a G TO R RATED MOVIE.

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  12. The creativity of a show must take several aspects into account in the planning and execution phases. The first is the use of costumes and set design the director can use these tools to try and express what he is feeling and where he wants the story to go. He does have a difficult job though. He must make the show he is producing appeal to the masses that will be viewing it. But he also must give the show some individuality that will appeal to the individual person viewing the show. This brings the story that much closer to home for the average person and therefore increase ratings. When it comes to the role of the producer it depends largely on the previous success of that producer. It seems as if the more successful they are the more liberal their standards become. However, they are still held in check by the FCC governing what they will allow to be put on television. This differs from a movie producer in the since that with a movie producer there is very little restriction. They are just making a movie they hope people will like. There is no specific target audience as there is in television shows.

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  13. I agree with Matt in the sense that it seems as if in the real world the standards differ from what is written on paper when it comes to the role of producers. Movie producers pretty much have free reign over their material. They can make whatever sets they want and use whatever costumes they feel make their film better. The issue comes with television producers. It sees as if the more successful you become as a television producer the less the rules apply to you. as an example of this I would use the material Dan Rather broadcast during the Bush election in 2004. if that had been a small town news station that material would not have been allowed to be broadcast. But in this case it was and for once it came back to bite him.

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  14. Creativity is negotiated three main ways in Hollywood; one, the audience. The audience decides what they want to watch by watching what they want, the more popular the show, the more people watch. If the show is unpopular, not many will watch it, and it will go off the air. Second is the government. The government controls what and when programs can air, and how they can be presented. Although this is a common topic of controversy, we as a society do need these general laws/rules to keep television and movies in order. Third is Hollywood itself, it needs producers and actors to create the television we want to see, and if someone does or doesn’t want to do a show, that is what determines whether or not a show will (or wont) exist.

    Advertisers contribute by providing money to cover many of the expenses of Hollywood and the networks, in return for them to promote their items during (and sometimes in) their shows. The advertisers may want audience specific shows while they promote gender/age specific products, and in this way they may be able to influence what is aired and when.

    The television producer is the one who controls everything in reference to their show(s). They can control everything from who is in it, what the show is about; to how much money they have in their budget…basically they are the executives of the show.

    A movie producer and a TV producer are very different for many reasons: a TV producer has much more material to present in a much shorter time span, and will have a less intent audience that the movie producer; making it more important for them to create a more specific show. (A movie producer will be able to attract people more than a TV producer) A movie producer, because of a more seeking audience, has more availability to be creative and take chances, whereas a TV producer can more easily scare off an audience. (When’s the last time you walked out of a movie you paid to see/own, verses changing the channel from one show to another?)

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  15. I agree with what sheig said about directors, except about their audiences. Regardless of who their audience, (e.g. liberal, conservative, extremist, communist) they have to be directed to at least one of the audiences, and the audience has to be pleased with the movie, or it wont sell, and someone loosed lots of pennies. Overall, they do have an extremely more “open” option for their work, but that gap is closing quickly…there are pretty much no censors left on late night TV… and with time there may no longer be any difference…just quality of work and the time span its done in. (Just think about what they can say today…verses 5…15…or even 50 years ago!)

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  16. In Hollywood, the negotiated creativity for television programs is a convergence of “generative mechanism” that emerges through the incorporation of concepts that are typically provided by several individuals. These individuals are in most cases driven to come up with original innovations for television, while accommodating and satisfying the insatiable desires of special interest groups. Having an economically influential power base force (advertisers) outside the industry is optimal to apply those innovations. Without them the television program would never be aired. The role of the producers is to develop, readjust, and effectively transfer the material to the viewers. I cannot point my finger and say that the job of a television producer greatly differs from the one of a movie producer. However, economically speaking, it is apparent that there is a lot a stake when you produced a movie. High paid actors are involved who are always concerned about their reputation. Movie budgets are typically in the millions of dollars and not to mention the high expectations that viewers place on these movies. I personally believe that it comes to producer personalities and their ability to bring everything together to satisfy those expectations, some producer succeed while others don’t.

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  17. Creativity of television programming is negotiated through a system of generative mechanics. This system is reliant on itself and its internal components in order for it to work. Advertisers contribute by buying the time that the shows air. Without advertisers paying for their ads to be shown during the television programs there would be no show. Also advertisers pay for their products to be shown on the actual program. (Ex.- an actor drinking coke or an actor listening to an ipod.) The producer is in charge of everyone. The producer hires the directors, casting executives, and everyone else. The producer is the person whose name is on the show and the more success the show has the more power a producer gains in the business. A movie producer usually has more money to spend. Also a television executive has to deal a lot more with brevity. Television programs are usually shorter and time is very important. Television producer have to make a lot of shows to fill the season while a movie producer only has a specific movie to make. I think that advertising is more important in television because without advertisers the shows would never air.

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  18. I agree with mcelhinney, it is a complex system that has many components such as, viewers, television stations, syndicators, congress, advertisers, and the FCC. In fact, it is kind of hard to keep track of their interactions and determine the amount of influence that one has on the other. The only thing that we can be certain of is the fact that they all have one commonality, which is money. Money is the only factor that makes these components operate smoothly. Great ideas attract economically strong advertisers who can then hire renowned producers with the ability to shape those ideas into great television programs that are later offered to the industry leading stations. Consequently, the program generates massive ratings that evolve into large revenues for the all parties involved.

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  19. I agree with Sandoval. The producers are driven to come up with original innovations for television, while accommodating and satisfying the insatiable desires of special interest groups. That is very true. Advertisers are needed in order for shows to be aired on television. Movies do take a lot more money to make. High paid actors cost a lot and that is important because you haven’t even filmed anything yet and already a big chunk of money is gone. I think that television producers probably have a lot more stressful job than that of the movie producer. Time is much more important in the TV world and the TV producer also has to make more programs instead of just one movie.

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  20. Creativity is negotiated by py hollywood producers because producers may want to change the way a show was viewed.Sort of like their own touch. Advertisers contribute because if nobody knew what the show was about, nobody would watch. Producers need to get the word out there so that he can build a lasting viewership with the first episode. The role of a producer is vast. He/she must give the show energy in every aspect. He must make the show engaging and he must let everyone in the show their certain roles on the show. The difference is that movie producers only have to do it once while a television producer must do it every week.

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  21. I agree with paul on every word because everything must work in order to be a good show. I aslo agree that advertisers play a huge role in society on television shows. Like i said in mine, advertisers are key to a good show.The producers are very important and the movie producer subject is agreeable. Advertisers are a must and i agree with his final statement.

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  22. In Hollywood television programs, creativity is negotiated through generative mechanisms, or the bringing together of creative people to make programs. Advertisers contribute to the creation of television programs by getting money from the viewers and intern giving money and viewers to the networks who give money to the program producers who then give programs back to the networks. The role of the television producer very big. The television producer is in charge of everyone involved in the making of the television program, they hire people and they try to make sure that the area in which the television show is going is successful. A television producer also has to work under the networks, the FCC and advertisers. Mivie producers have their own money to work with so they are able to come up with and idea and run with it reguardless of what the cable syndictors think, a television producer does not have that luxury. Television producers are bound to follow rules and to provide certain programs that intrest certain groups. Movie producers make what they want when they want.

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  23. I like how Paul also included the fact that advertisers also pay to have their products used in programs, I didn't think of that but it is very true. I also agree with him that the more success a television program has the more success the producer has because his name it attached to the program. I also think that it is interesting that a lot of movie producers and directors are having succcess on television programs like Jerry Bruckhimer.

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  24. The creativity in Hollywood is negotiated by looking at many aspects. The programmers sit down and figure out what kind of show they want to make. They see if they want a drama, comedy, talk show, or any other kind of show before they get into the brunt of the creative parts. Once they figure out what kind of program they want, they sit down and write it as a group and try to make something fresh and new that will be different in everyway. Keeping the show fresh through the writer’s creativity is essential to the successes of the show. The advertisers contribute a lot to the show. They are the people that get out there to the people and tell them about the show and to watch it. With out the advertisers it would be hard for any show to get off the ground because no one would know about it. The producers of the show have the job of over looking every aspect of the show from the writing, direction, acting, to expenses. The differences between a TV producer and a movie producer is that the movie producer seems to be more into the expenses of the movie and not so much involved.

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  25. Audy makes some good point about how the creativity is negotiated through generative mechanisms, or the bringing together of creative people to make programs. I was leaning more along the lines of once they figure out what kind of program they want, they sit down and write it as a group and try to make something fresh and new that will be different in everyway. Keeping the show fresh through the writer’s creativity is essential to the successes of the show. The advertisers contribute a lot to the show. They are the people that get out there to the people and tell them about the show and to watch it. With out the advertisers it would be hard for any show to get off the ground because no one would know about it. The producers of the show have the job of over looking every aspect of the show from the writing, direction, acting, to expenses. The differences between a TV producer and a movie producer is that the movie producer seems to be more into the expenses of the movie and not so much involved.

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  26. nithya said

    creativity is the back bone in the success of tv programs and movie.how creative the concept is ,how creative the presentation is..

    creativity in concept (show concept)and presentation (set,props)plays a prominent part in success of tv shows

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