Netflix management is urging writers to more explicitly voice the actions of characters so that viewers who watch series and films while distracted by their phones, that is, in the background, can follow the plot. Until recently, this practice caused minimal resistance among filmmakers, but the situation has changed. This is reported by the publication World of Reel (WoR).
What else is known
Several screenwriters who worked for the streaming service reported that the company's management regularly requires them to include detailed explanations in their scripts, given that the viewer may not be fully focused on watching. As an example, they cite a scene from the hit Netflix film “The Irish Miracle” with Lindsay Lohan, where the heroine literally recounts the events of the day.
Netflix is guided by thousands of microgenres when selecting projects for production, including a category of “easy viewing”, focused on films and series that are well received even if viewed carelessly.
“This practice contradicts the generally accepted principle of “show, don't tell”, which is essentially ignored at Netflix. This is surprising given the fact that a few years ago the streaming service released such serious projects as “Roma” and “The Irishman”, – laments World of Reel.
Previously, the media reported, Netflix had shocked the industry by requiring writers and directors to provide enough dramatic action in the first five minutes of a movie or series to keep viewers from turning it off.