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Tom,
I am developing a lot of ideas about how to significantly improve the Program Details Form for the Television classification. I do not think you will like my ideas much because it will be a lot of work to implement but it would be a significant enhancement. Are you interested in this?
In fact, I think Classification could have started with three major categories:
Theatrically Released Programs
Programs Released on Television
Programs Released Direct to Video
Then under each of these Classifications could have had been a set of Sub-Classifications tailored to which of the three it is. Then the themes and genres would be specific to these sub-classifications - and filtering for "Animation" or "Documentary" would provide a list that includes Animations or Documentaries under all three of the broader classifications.
At this point, I do not think it is possible to implement this approach and thinking back to the origin of your database for laserdiscs - it is doubtful that this made sense then given the lack of TV and Direct to Video items that existed in this format. Hard to see into the future. Now we have a disc type: 3-D Blu-rays - what is next with new higher resolution formats on the horizon?
Just thinking out loud.
John
Last edited by modorlofsky (2013-10-06 22:50:00)
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John,
The classification system you mention is known as the "Target Distribution Channel". Here are some remarks about it:
There is nothing on the retail package or in the program itself that indicates the original distribution channel. Until imdb came along it was quite difficult to figure this issue out for the back catalog. There are a large number of older programs for which this distribution issue is very hard to know.
Most programs are distributed in multiple channels over time. Is one to classify it based upon the first method of distribution or the primary one? For example, some direct to video titles are actually theatrically screened at film festivals in front of paying audiences. They never achieve a theatrical distribution contract and are subsequently released direct to DVD.
There is the question of international distribution. A film might be theatrically released in its country of origin but is released in the USA direct to DVD. Does any theatrical distribution qualify for the Theatrical Release class or does it need to theatrically released in the USA?
There are some older programs that were recorded on film and never theatrically released but were distributed to schools or for military training. They are now issued on DVD as nostalgia or novelty items.
The "direct to video" market is a little slippery to define. What is video? Does it include VHS and Beta and Laserdisc and DVD and BD? Take the case of the Netflix produced "House of Cards". This was initially released via Internet streaming. Then released on DVD/BD. There is the case of the Metropolitan Opera HD narrow cast to select theaters. The opera is initially theatrically shown in theaters to paying customers using HD projection. The opera is later released on DVD/BD. Is Internet streaming video or television?
Television turns out to be a little slippery as well. Does it include both traditional over-the-air and cable and satellite? Does it include special cable broadcasts that were initially screened in bars but not sent to homes? This would include certain sporting events and prize fights.
If I had the opportunity to start again I would not have used a hierarchical classification system that forces every movie or program into a fixed set of categories. The approach I would use is more like the theme/genre/keyword scheme. The distribution channel is not really a genre but it does describe something useful about the program. In that regard it is more of a "Key Phrase".
Tom Orlofsky
Last edited by modorlofsky (2013-10-06 22:49:44)
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