I N T E R O F F I C E M E M O R A N D U M Date: 12-Apr-1991 08:56am GMT From: Joseph C. Ebert JEBERT Dept: Education Comm. Center Tel No: X4759 TO: Remote RSCS/NJE Network User ( _JNET%SCREEN-L@UA1VM ) Subject: INTRODUCTION Allow me to re-introduce myself, because I think my earlier introduction fell into the electronic abyss of e-mail purgatory. I joined SCREEN-L a few weeks ago, and have been wonderfully refreshed by reading (and responding occasionally to) the discussions that take place. After spending the first week getting error messages from my listserver here at SUNY Binghamton, it seems a couple messages actually got out. I'm SUNY Binghamton's only Video Director. While I write, direct and produce programs for the University (and beyond) that don't require any underlying premise or veiled meaning or symbolic interpretation, I make it a point to develop some programs that have some interpretive value. That is, "it's a drama about an alcoholic, but what's the merry-go-round scene got to do with anything?" My feeling is that many programs are merely spoon-feeding an audience with information, and disregarding the audience's (the class) ability to come to some conclusions of its own, either collectively or individually. So, when I can, I think it's good to lead the audience in a certain way, and let them come to their own conclusions. I'd much rather have viewers discuss the intent (meaning, content, form, characters, etc.) of the program after a showing than say, "well, that's over, let's go to the pub". Since many of our "clients" don't want programs that can be interpreted, it's sometimes difficult to maintain any kind of fluency in the language of the "moving image" (I'll stay away from the film-vs.-video controversy). So, even though I don't teach film/video/cinema, this discussion group is wonderfully refreshing...especially the disagreements. It's difficult to keep up with all of the correspondence, sometimes :) One question...maybe a topic for discussion...The Hollywood Ending... I personally dislike "the happy ending" that Hollywood seems to think movie-goers want (maybe they do!). Of course, it has its place, I'm not saying that there shouldn't be happy endings! But, if Fatal Attraction had ended when Micheal Douglas put down the knife in Glenn Close's apartment (with fingerprints and all) like it was originally supposed to, it would have been an excellent movie...but with the evil-doesn't-ever-win mentality of Hollywood producers, well, everything came out hunky-dory... To what end The Happy Ending? Is it the pursuit of $$$$? The opiate of the masses? HHHmmmmm......