The Film Challenge: Transcript of the Panel Discussion Held on 7 May 1977 in Toronto

The panel was almost unanimous in the opinion that film will continue to play a large and healthy role in the production of television programs for the foreseeable future. As a well known producer of TV programs said, both film and videotape have good and bad points in the production of programs for TV. Nevertheless, it was generally accepted that electronic production is gradually replacing film production in news programs and may replace some film production in documentaries and entertainment programs in the future. In some instances (for example, ENG equipment for news programs), the style of programming changes, and this change brings a “fresh look” that is sought by program makers. In other instances (for example, situation comedies), the film style of production is maintained in changing to electronic equipment. The discussion then turned to the costs and quality advantages of the two production media. There was no agreement among members of the panel that one system was better than the other in looks or quality; considerable doubt was expressed by some panelists that users of electronic production equipment knew the real worth of electronic production. — The feelings of the panel and its audience seemed to be summed up by one panelist who said that in the final analysis it was the program maker who must constantly make the decision to use the system that gave him the most advantages. — Stanley F. Quinn, Panel Chairman

Print ISSN
Published
1977-10
Content type
Original Research
DOI
10.5594/J06740