I think you are conflating discussions you have had elsewhere on a different topic with this one- the two arguments are not the same. Comparing contemporary SCD camera work with contemporary pop videos is valid if a lot of people see a similarity, as they do here on DS.

I know of several people who have complained to the BBC about camera-work, so I'm guessing the number must be quite significant once extrapolated nationally, but the BBC never seem interested in technical complaints, only cultural. Obviously cultural issues are more important, but that shouldn't mean that other issues are disregarded.

The Whirling Dervish on Acid cameramen have borrowed the technique from Brian de Palma's 1976 film Carrie. It is referred to in Meeja Studies as the "Arc Shot" - A shot in which the subject is circled by the camera.

http://youtu.be/vXCkYqofuqE?t=1m4s

I blame current Meeja Studies lecturers for not teaching their students to think about when to use the camera's movement and when to be stationary. It is all about context. Fine if we want an artistic impression of a dance and focus on conversation. Completely inappropriate if we want to capture the actual dance.

They seem to not be teaching the "Steadicam Shot" that allows for a smooth, fluid movement as in Scorsese's goodfellas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Sr-vxVaY_M

There is also the "Tracking Shot" which the SCD cameramen could learn. A shot that follows a subject be it from behind or alongside or in front of the subject. Note how long the scenes are with each camers shot.

Paths of Glory by Stanley Kubrick

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPtVNDvwGMo

Waste of time complaining to the BBC or indeed anybody else directly through "proper channels".

The most effective way is via social media - Facebook, Twitter and forums like this one.

Art?

Bless!

It's not art, it's all about what the director thinks is the best way to retain the attention of the audience and get them not switch over to X-Factor. "Let's overwhelm them with camerawork!"

Give over with the personal stuff, it's unnecessary and self-defeating, you're new so probably don't understand.

I beg to differ, it is totally unnecessary. You have said in a previous post that this is an entertainment show not a serious dance competition, and that the BBC are allowing this awful camera work to continue, as they are making it entertaining......
I really fail to understand why a whirling camera can make ANYTHING entertaining. I just don't understand it. These head and shoulder shots, or upper body shots are quite useless. Viewers want to see the full body, so they can appreciate not just footwork, but how the foot is placed, leg extentions, body contact and connection with their partners. I can't even gauge how well the couples are moving through the variations, across the floor, as the camera is all over the place.

Your ignorance shows through here.

An arc shot is not a real thing, it's called a 360 shot or more often than not a "full circle". Also, 360 shots ARE steadicam shots, because there's no other way to do them.

Honestly, you're just laughable now.

I should probably add that I've worked with Strictly's steadicam op - Dom - before, and I think he deserves a medal because, honestly, 99% of the time his footwork is better than some of the celebrities!

I've come to the conclusion, you are just a wind up merchant,
It also not nice to call posters ignorant, people are entitled to an opinion.

Oh dear!
So just you allowed to criticise the programme?
Not me?

Anyway, I'd already done that joke.... yesterday, see post #19

He's inconsistent, at one moment, he's having a go at me for "BBC bashing" That's rich, (I've started enough threads on BBC programmes I've found worth watching in the last nine years) the next minute he's having a go at them himself!

As you say, just a wind up merchant.

Did you use to go to Edge Hill 'university' by any chance?

Nope, I didn't actually. Lancaster!

Just that you remind me of someone else from your part of the world. Very similar posting style.

I don't think any of us on here doubt the technical ability and professionalism of the people operating the cameras. Our issue is with the editorial decisions of when to use them which is out of their hands.

Well put.

There seem a lot of contradictions in the complaints. They want to see the feet in detail but they also want to see the whole dancer from toes to head (even if they jump/lift) and they also want to see both dancers even if they are at opposite sides of the floor..

Perhaps they should run multiple images on Red Button?

The SCD website used to have a camera shot not shown on tv which was from the far end of the floor, up high. It gave a completely different feel to the dance and conveyed just how much distance some of the dances covered. I wouldn't want the show shot that way, but it was great to have the option to watch it. I'd love to have that back.

And I don't think anyone wants close-ups on the feet. They're important, but meaningless when separated from the whole body.

Speaking for myself, I don't need to see the feet in detail ie up close, I can see very well as long as the couple as a whole are in shot. I think really, that's all most of us want.

There's several people on here who want closeups of the feet. Basically, people don't have a clue how TV works, how making an entertainment show works, and should probably just be quiet.

The show works as is.

I'm not sure that people want to see close ups of the feet, they just want to see them in the shot.

Me too. I don't need or want close ups of the feet. I want to see the whole body all the time.

And get rid of Don, The Whirling Dervish Cameraman. His coffee boy has been making his coffee too strong.

"How TV works" is down to the director who calls the shots, or did you think the camera people just "did their own thing" and he took pot luck with the results and that's what we get?
You also seem a bit light on ballroom dance knowledge, or what people who have it, would like to see in this show..

Thanks for sharing your opinion, it is of course just yours, you're welcome to it, it's nothing more than that and one few on here share with you.


You're relatively new, but I'd suggest you stop telling people what to do, it doesn't work, but I'm sure you'll get the hang of it soon.

OK here is one I like with two cameras.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9Xk8GvimtY

Note how long each shot takes. None of the two second SCD scenes.

I see your birthday is August 31, the same as an inactive poster who has been banned. Same services as well. You see, I remember your previous user name, and if I type it in 'search' it confirms everything to be the same.

Folks- He isn't an industry expert at all. He's a third year student at Edge Hill, aren't you John?

On work experience .... making the coffee for Don The Whirling Dervish Cameraman.