More On Re-Imagining TV / Video News & Information
Some brain food for the revolution of video news——
No doubt we’re living in the new Wild West. The Google era where VR, 3D, AI and yet-to-emerge technology are exploding into the culture. But programming (aka content) remains somewhere in 1980. SO–what’s in order is a PLAN for a complete and total reinvention of literally every aspect of information programming. Imagine blowing-up that 1980’s focus group driven playbook that is rapidly becoming obsolete and subject of parody, and programming built as an aggressive and complete solution-by-revolution for video information presentation to shockingly capture extreme relevancy in the Google era. A compliment to technology.
THE BIG THREE: EYE EAR MIND
The Eye: Whether stunning cinematography or grainy black n white, there’s eye power that utilizes every imaginable source from retro to animation to psychedelic to infographic and beyond. Multi Dimensional visuals…a movie of the world. Maybe it’s news movie instead of news casts.
The Ear: Activating the lost art of sound. elevating and cerebral. — a “soundtrack” that weaves the universe of music from Country to Electronic with sound effects, natural sound and original music to create an aural experience as interesting and mindjazzy as the visual for a tour de force of sensory stimulation that transports you INTO the screen. A powerful new dimension in storytelling rather than cliched percussive ‘newsmusic.’
The Mind: Mass Appeal intelligence not “millennial bullshit” or cute happy faces behind a desk trying to be funny that re-define dated and banal. Anger, inspire, scare and delight, but always deliver a style of that is focused on the Higher IQ Lower BS street pulse of America and not filtered through the tired filters of the TV News Journalism playbook, Millennial hip, or junk culture.
Then there’s:
TOTALLY NEW ARCHITECTURE- The whole experience needs to be RADICALLY different to be better. Doing unorthodox things. It’s part of a dramatic reimagination rooted in AFDI, not bullshit corporate mission statements. If a news channel/show needs to change—- then change. I’ve seen reinvention of news as non-noticeable as changing a desk, a new background or having the sports guy stand up. Will that move the needle? Not an inch.
IN SYNC WITH THE ERA- Changers don’t grasp on the past in fear. It’s always WAAAY new. And traditionalists will bash it while civilians will love it. Tough to dislodge traditionalist thinking but it has to be done and it’s doable. It requires a disassociation from assuming what’s been done in the right thing in 2020
NEW GENERATION OF PERSONALITIES- A Few Great holdovers…But create the new ones. They are out there now. YOUTUBE is a dumping ground rather than THE DESTINATION for the future stars. And not necessarily talking heads. Just maybe the anchor era is over
NEW CONTENT TRADEMARKS- These are the hooks that create “reasons” to engage. NEW ones that DEFINE the 21st century that you own. New franchises that become both talking points and trademarks that define your difference. New features that resonate the hot buttons of 2020
COMPLETENESS- Critical. You can’t “sorta” do it…everything from the way the receptionist greets guests to the eye-ear-brain, EVERYTHING needs to be in sync with each other.
INTEGRITY- EVERY lasting game changer is rooted in hardcore integrity. That doesn’t mean uptight and elite. It means unfailingly honest to the street. Many artists have it — big media increasingly does not. Unfortunately, some lose this as they grow. Or become singularly focused on the end result— money. Without focusing on what it takes to get you there. Integrity also means even truth—- one old school journalism characteristic that is timeless
ENLIGHTENING- Yep…try running that by a traditional media thinker who would likely look at that as some bad non-commercial arts and crafts thing. Enlightened is GOOD! Enlighten. Teach. Inspire. Even if the news is bad there are ways for people to engage and learn
PASSION IN THE BUILDING- The people. It’s the “mission” vs. gig thing. MISSION to balance extreme creative and extreme technology with extreme efficiency.
AUDIENCE RESPECT- REAL audience respect. In American media, audience respect means creating a slogan like “We respect you!” figuring the dummies will buy it. Respect builds fans. We create fans, not users. Ever run into a James Bond or Eagles “user”?
THE COOL FACTOR- Ya either got it or ya don’t. Can’t focus group that. It’s also known as the “it” factor. Let “it” happen instead of repressing “it”. From graphics to voices—- it’s the complete package
INTELLIGENT- Let’s just say there’s a reason overseas companies are beating the USA in a lot of traditionally American dominated entities.
CONFIDENCE. The ability to have faith is new thinking. I’m if it’s really thought out then GO without fear
RESEARCH. of course it’s a component but so is original thinking. The balance of art and science is powerful. And with something real new I believe it’s best to create it then test it as testing something new will usually end up with negative results that drive you back to what people know— tradition.
And…
Those who believe and posses the capabilities to contribute to this mission will be challenged beyond their imagination. The roadblocks are extraordinary and the level of thinking is infinitely removed from tradition…and even logic to some degree. The upside is a once in a lifetime opportunity to revolutionize the presentation of information that still lives in the TV era instead of the new global digital reality…the Google era
YOU ARE AN IDIOT UNTIL IT’S SUCCESSFUL, THEN YOU ARE A GENIUS. Comes with the turf. Detractors will scream idiot…then be silenced upon success