Police procedurals were all the rage when I was going up. "Cagney and Lacey" and "Hill Street Blues" set the bar for reality in police dramas on the small screen. There were other cop shows that tried, but were mroe about action and/or comedy, like "Hawaii 5-O", "Adam 12", "Dragnet" and "CHiPs" just to name the one that I am familiar with.
The drama-driven shows aren't as popular now, but procedurals still are. The Law & Order franchise of shows are the onlly police procedurals still on, but there are a whole slew of shows that are procedurals based on other law enforcement agencies. There are the 3 CSI shows, procedurals about the crime labs that work with the police departments, there are several shows that are FBI procedurals, "Without a Trace" and "In Plain Sight". There is "NCIS" about the Navy's version of the FBI. There are probably other shows that I'm not aware of (I can think of some that might fit the bill, but as I've never watched them, I can't be sure.)
Most of the drama has been replaced with high-tech gadgetry. But, not all of it. The above mentioned shows spend varying small amounts of time on drama.
Perhaps related to the cutting down of the drama, but more likely a result of what caused the cutting down of the drama, is that fact that hour longs shows have moved from 53 minutes in length to 45 minutes in length during initial airing, and are even shorter, by several minutes during syndicated broadcasts. It's hard to be as in-depth and character-drivern with less time.
Another factor that has changed since I was a kid in the 80s, is that as ad time has gone, the target demographic has gone down, in age that is. 25 years ago, the number one demorgraphic that advertisers, and hence television shows, were aiming at was 35 to 54 year old men. I am speaking of prime time television here, as other times of the day had different demographics. Prime time television now is seeking 18 to 34 year old boys/men. But, cable television has changed the scene so much, that the target demographic tends to skew down even more on the financial side - with the older demographic of the 80s, television was looking to speak directly to the family bread-winners and therefore, at least theoretically, the person in charge of the budget. Today, while still trying to make money, the ads are more aimed at niche markets, such as entertainment and smaller dollar items, but sold in larger quantities.
The real money is not even on broadcast television any more. Cable specialty channels is where it is at. The number one sought after demographic is 6 to 12 year old girls. They are the ones who spend the most money or have the most money spent on them.
I guess I should really be counting my blessings that there are any type of criminal procedurals on the air at all, instead of Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
weather
The heat finally broke and I got a decent (well, I guess that's relative) night's sleep. This morning's walk was very pleasant, low humidity and temperatures in the upper 60s or low 70s. It's in the 90s again, but it doesn't feel so bad today. It's hard to tell if I'm starting to become acclimated, or if I've just convinced myself that anything 10 to 15 degrees cooler than the days before must feel comfortable.
The best part of my 'weather' day was seeing some high clouds come in.
It should be even nicer tomorrow, and I can finally get some laundry done. We've wisely chosen not to run the dryer or washer during this hot spell. The last thing we need to do is to raise the temperature and humidity of the house even more. It will also be nice to be able do stuff in the mid-day that doesn't involve trying not to move. :)
Even my computers should be happier. They are definitely cold weather creatures. In fact, when it gets above about 75, my laptop starts getting woggy and if I'm not careful will crap out. Crapping out does really bad things to your drives.
The best part of my 'weather' day was seeing some high clouds come in.
It should be even nicer tomorrow, and I can finally get some laundry done. We've wisely chosen not to run the dryer or washer during this hot spell. The last thing we need to do is to raise the temperature and humidity of the house even more. It will also be nice to be able do stuff in the mid-day that doesn't involve trying not to move. :)
Even my computers should be happier. They are definitely cold weather creatures. In fact, when it gets above about 75, my laptop starts getting woggy and if I'm not careful will crap out. Crapping out does really bad things to your drives.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
New Mission Statement
I want to write books that I want to read. That seems like a no-brainer, but it's not. There are lots of reasons why someone might write something, like money, or because it's how they feel at that moment.
Don't get me wrong, I would love to get paid for writing. But, I would rather write something that was good and worth reading and never receive a penny, than write for a reason other than telling a good tale and make millions of dollars.
This isn't a rant about people selling out. A lot of well known, well paid others write amazing books and a lot of unknown true-to-the-art authors write crap. It's not like I have this amazing gift I can use for good or evil, but I have some meager skill that I can do the right thing with.
That's my new mission statement - writing good books for the sake of good reading.
It's not like before this moment I've been the guy trying to figure out what to write based solely on what is selling. If that were the case, I would probably have made some money by now. (Not because my writing would be better, but because for me to have done that I would have needed to be a lot more motivated about finishing the process.)
I think this new mission statement more applies to my poetry than my fiction. I always write from the heart, and let's face it, most of it is crap. It's one thing to re-read your own work and think, "OK, this needs some editing...", while it's a completely different thing look at it again and be embarassed that I thought it was worth writing in the first place.
I guess this means I just need to write more. :) I also need to learn better, more efficient editing methods.
One thing I'm not going to change is the way I blog. I view blogging as both a way to get in a free-write and to take a snapshot of my thoughts at a particular moment in time. I'm quite happy with the result, even if the level of quality is a bit sporadic at times.
Don't get me wrong, I would love to get paid for writing. But, I would rather write something that was good and worth reading and never receive a penny, than write for a reason other than telling a good tale and make millions of dollars.
This isn't a rant about people selling out. A lot of well known, well paid others write amazing books and a lot of unknown true-to-the-art authors write crap. It's not like I have this amazing gift I can use for good or evil, but I have some meager skill that I can do the right thing with.
That's my new mission statement - writing good books for the sake of good reading.
It's not like before this moment I've been the guy trying to figure out what to write based solely on what is selling. If that were the case, I would probably have made some money by now. (Not because my writing would be better, but because for me to have done that I would have needed to be a lot more motivated about finishing the process.)
I think this new mission statement more applies to my poetry than my fiction. I always write from the heart, and let's face it, most of it is crap. It's one thing to re-read your own work and think, "OK, this needs some editing...", while it's a completely different thing look at it again and be embarassed that I thought it was worth writing in the first place.
I guess this means I just need to write more. :) I also need to learn better, more efficient editing methods.
One thing I'm not going to change is the way I blog. I view blogging as both a way to get in a free-write and to take a snapshot of my thoughts at a particular moment in time. I'm quite happy with the result, even if the level of quality is a bit sporadic at times.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
March of the Undead, part II
After vampires, zombies are the most popular type of undead to appear in mass media. I would go so far as to say that they are even more popular in computer games than vampires are.
So what are zombies? And more importantly, how do you stop them?
Zombies are undead monsters who hunger for human brains. Sometimes they are not undead, and sometimes they just hunger for human flesh and not brains per se. Zombies are a bit more homogeneous in their origins than vampires, generally either being created by the bite of a zombie or contracting a virus, often man-made in origin. Two notable exceptions are "The Happening", which has nature itself rebelling against humanity and releasing a pollen that turns humans into a type of zombie mostly interested in killing themselves, but anxious to kill unaffected humans as well, should the opportunity arise; "The Serpent and the Rainbow", looks into how 'traditional' zombies, often referred to as ju-ju zombies, are created through voodoo ritual magic and aren't actually undead nor craving of human brains or flesh. The zombies in this second film are really brain-damaged humans who will almost literally follow any order without stopping or tiring until it is accomplished.
Not cointing the two exceptions mentioned above, almost all movies deal with stopping zombies the same way, removing the head of the zombie, though "Shaun of the Dead" only requires that the brain be destroyed, so you could just bash it's head in. While the methods to kill zombies (if you can kill what is not living) would certainly kill humans, all the other methods that kill humans will not kill zombies. There are some variations to the way the head is removed from the bosy, such as by gun blasts and burning the body to ashes.
Gosh, zombies are almost boring compared to vampires and certainly easier to understand.
So what are zombies? And more importantly, how do you stop them?
Zombies are undead monsters who hunger for human brains. Sometimes they are not undead, and sometimes they just hunger for human flesh and not brains per se. Zombies are a bit more homogeneous in their origins than vampires, generally either being created by the bite of a zombie or contracting a virus, often man-made in origin. Two notable exceptions are "The Happening", which has nature itself rebelling against humanity and releasing a pollen that turns humans into a type of zombie mostly interested in killing themselves, but anxious to kill unaffected humans as well, should the opportunity arise; "The Serpent and the Rainbow", looks into how 'traditional' zombies, often referred to as ju-ju zombies, are created through voodoo ritual magic and aren't actually undead nor craving of human brains or flesh. The zombies in this second film are really brain-damaged humans who will almost literally follow any order without stopping or tiring until it is accomplished.
Not cointing the two exceptions mentioned above, almost all movies deal with stopping zombies the same way, removing the head of the zombie, though "Shaun of the Dead" only requires that the brain be destroyed, so you could just bash it's head in. While the methods to kill zombies (if you can kill what is not living) would certainly kill humans, all the other methods that kill humans will not kill zombies. There are some variations to the way the head is removed from the bosy, such as by gun blasts and burning the body to ashes.
Gosh, zombies are almost boring compared to vampires and certainly easier to understand.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Another Two Bite The Dust
Two more vampire movies under my belt. I love doing research. I suppose I could go out in the field and look for real vampires, but since I don't believe there are any, that and I don't drive, I think it would be a waste of time. Plus, it's too damned hot this week.
Yesterday, I finally watched "Twilight". That was a good movie, even I didn't like the way they handled vampires. In the movie, vampires can be out and about in daylight, even in direct sunlight. What happens to them in sunlight? Is it like the traditional vampire who begins to burn and then turns to dust? No. They just look all sparkly. But the story and the acting were both quite good. I will definitely borrow the books form my niece or preferably find an audio copy somewhere and give them a listen to.
The vampire movie I watched was "Ultraviolet". Mmmm, I like Milla Jovovich. She makes me feel funny. Funny in a good way. The movie is more sci-fi/martial arts thriller than vampire flick. Right off the bat we are told that the 'vampires' have a virus that has gotten them the nick-name of 'vampire', but that they're not really the undead. Still, they hold closer to vampires than about half of what I've seen. Plus, the movie stars Milla Jovovich. The film is based on a comic book, and kind of takes on that look, which is fine with me, being the big fanboy I am.
I think I've seen all major vampire films out, and I've read most of the popular authors. Now, I've got to try and fine the more obscure films and the less well-known authors. I'm also going to read through the "Vampire: the Masquerade" RPG again and see what I can gleen. Soon, I will have completed my research and can get back to finishing my novel, which is, as you may have guessed, about vampires.
Yesterday, I finally watched "Twilight". That was a good movie, even I didn't like the way they handled vampires. In the movie, vampires can be out and about in daylight, even in direct sunlight. What happens to them in sunlight? Is it like the traditional vampire who begins to burn and then turns to dust? No. They just look all sparkly. But the story and the acting were both quite good. I will definitely borrow the books form my niece or preferably find an audio copy somewhere and give them a listen to.
The vampire movie I watched was "Ultraviolet". Mmmm, I like Milla Jovovich. She makes me feel funny. Funny in a good way. The movie is more sci-fi/martial arts thriller than vampire flick. Right off the bat we are told that the 'vampires' have a virus that has gotten them the nick-name of 'vampire', but that they're not really the undead. Still, they hold closer to vampires than about half of what I've seen. Plus, the movie stars Milla Jovovich. The film is based on a comic book, and kind of takes on that look, which is fine with me, being the big fanboy I am.
I think I've seen all major vampire films out, and I've read most of the popular authors. Now, I've got to try and fine the more obscure films and the less well-known authors. I'm also going to read through the "Vampire: the Masquerade" RPG again and see what I can gleen. Soon, I will have completed my research and can get back to finishing my novel, which is, as you may have guessed, about vampires.
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