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From Twitter 10-20-2010
Oct. 21st, 2010 03:10 amTweets copied by twittinesis.com
Oct. 21st, 2010
Yeah, but I don't believe it...
Oct. 21st, 2010 03:43 pmDear TV writers:
I know that part of the writing process is to make the viewer feel empathy for the characters on the show. This is especially true for crime shows and the desire the writers have to make the viewers feel a connection to the victims because this make the show better. I also understand the in TV writing you have to take shortcuts and it takes work to establish empathy. So instead you choose to make the viewers feel vulnerable and exposed in their real lives -- the whole this could happen to you! schtick. No empathy needed when you lead with FEAR!
But please, make your characters smart/observant enough to be relatable. Now I get that my life experience makes puts me at odds with most TV characters (and by extension, I guess, most viewers). For example: when being chased by someone on/in a vehicle, people on TV run straight down the road. I mean really? You totally have the advantage on foot if just make the sharp turns and head off road. Have these people never played chicken with someone on/in a vehicle? Or driven one themselves? Even if you don't have a handy patch of woods to head to, the sidewalk is always good. Despite what you see on TV, a curb will take out a lot of vehicles -- there's not a 12 or 13-inch rim that can handle one and at speed even the 14 or 16-inch rims will be damaged. (Keeping in mind the variables of height of the curb, speed and the angle at which the car hits the curb.) And even if the tires hold, suspension and steering are probably messed up and that goes to your advantage. Don't believe me? Ask anyone who's ever hit a curb or even driven onto/off one at speed. It's all bad.
( I understand that people don't think straight in panic situations. )
I know that part of the writing process is to make the viewer feel empathy for the characters on the show. This is especially true for crime shows and the desire the writers have to make the viewers feel a connection to the victims because this make the show better. I also understand the in TV writing you have to take shortcuts and it takes work to establish empathy. So instead you choose to make the viewers feel vulnerable and exposed in their real lives -- the whole this could happen to you! schtick. No empathy needed when you lead with FEAR!
But please, make your characters smart/observant enough to be relatable. Now I get that my life experience makes puts me at odds with most TV characters (and by extension, I guess, most viewers). For example: when being chased by someone on/in a vehicle, people on TV run straight down the road. I mean really? You totally have the advantage on foot if just make the sharp turns and head off road. Have these people never played chicken with someone on/in a vehicle? Or driven one themselves? Even if you don't have a handy patch of woods to head to, the sidewalk is always good. Despite what you see on TV, a curb will take out a lot of vehicles -- there's not a 12 or 13-inch rim that can handle one and at speed even the 14 or 16-inch rims will be damaged. (Keeping in mind the variables of height of the curb, speed and the angle at which the car hits the curb.) And even if the tires hold, suspension and steering are probably messed up and that goes to your advantage. Don't believe me? Ask anyone who's ever hit a curb or even driven onto/off one at speed. It's all bad.
( I understand that people don't think straight in panic situations. )
