All this discussion reminds me of a strange phenomenon in film screening
(and viewing) here in Turkey. Due to some kind of incompatibility of
projection formats, the safe area works in the reverse way and on many
occasions the frame of the screen allows the audience to see the boom
microphone hanging down from the top. The audience relates this to the
failure of the camera person, but of course they cannot figure out why
such a techically  impeccable cinema gives way to this unintended
self-reflexivity! I think the impression of reality that Hollywood films
strive to produce or the the experience of viewing  them should also be
examined in this context of diversity of aspect ratios, techniques of
screening and all that.

Nezih Erdogan

----
Screen-L is sponsored by the Telecommunication & Film Dept., the
University of Alabama: http://www.tcf.ua.edu