Sanjay wrote:
Having a forced interval, such as in the case of hollywood movies screened in Indian mutiplexes, is something I really dislike and it totally spoils the momentum and narrative of the movie. In fact, it is one of the many reasons I do not normally watch hollywood movies in the theater.
I am completely with you on this one. Some theaters show most of the ads and trailers in the beginning and then take a break for 5-10 mins followed by the full movie. I like such theaters.
Sanjay wrote:
But in movies which incorporate an intermission as part of the screenplay, deleting the 'intermission' is akin to modifying the original script and intent of the director. The intermission is an integral part of the narrative of the movie and in fact, more often than not, the exact moment of the intermission is written into the screenplay, with great care and deliberation, to enhance the dramatic effect. Thus removing it, truly damages the experience of the movie. Thus, like it or not, it is wrong to edit, delete or modify the interval/intermission point/logo.
Understand your point but I think taking a step back would help us to see the reasoning behind intermissions. Intermissions are forced intervals in theaters for various reasons including but not limited to break to relax in longer movies, bit of socializing, commercial interests, to release yourself, get some snacks and drinks essentially getting a break from the movie in a dark room. The film makers found this as an opportunity to pause the movie with something for the viewers to ponder about what is happening, any twists or turns etc to make sure they are still hooked into the movie,. It is like if you are telling a story to people and you need a break – you stop at a point which makes the listeners think about it during the break. The use of deliberate moments at intermission is more psychological than anything else. To enjoy such dramatic twists and turns you can also do without an intermission; example when you read a book. People tend to take a pause at a point they think they need to pause for a break or to ponder on what they have read so far.
In theaters, you can’t avoid the break even if you hate going out for a snack or break. Just because the director has deliberately put a dramatic moment that also to accommodate the forced break doesn’t seem to me as a good reason to have the intermission logo in DVD or BD.
The situation at home is completely different. You can stop and pause at your own convenience. The viewer has the total control with the number of breaks or the lack of it. Every member in your home may opt for their own break.
You don’t need a specific break at home and hence to me the Intermission logo actually makes no sense to me. It just interrupts the movie for me. The entire idea of director’s vision of Intermission at home doesn’t work at home although his intended dramatic scene works just like any other good scene in the movie.
Sanjay wrote:
In the director's commentary on the blu-ray of '3 Idiots', Raju Hirani talks about how, they, the writer/director/producer, deliberated quite a bit, on what point to have the intermission. In fact, they finally changed it from what was originally scripted. The importance of the interval and it being part of the creative aspect of the film, is quite clearly borne out by the creative deliberations and then the mention of it in the director's commentary. But, BIG Home Video in their infinite wisdom and I am sure without the knowledge or aproval of the director, have deleted the interval on the blu-ray and thus have changed, what the writer/director/producer considered a very important and integral part of the movie.
Raju Hirani like many other directors in India will plan a dramatic point in the movie for the intermission. As I said, you need to give the audience something so that the effect of the movie and the narrative doesn’t snap rather lingers for 5-10 mins before the movie starts again. The scene would have remained in the movie anyway may be at a different time and the effect of that scene would be always the same if it is that dramatic.
Hence I beg to differ on the inclusion of the intermission point. However, I do agree that some may like to see that in the movie for reasons that I can’t explain.
Sanjay wrote:
PS: Last night I watched 'The Sound Of Music' and the intermission or "Entr'acte", with it's own specially composed music playing during the "Entr'acte", was so much a part of re-recreating the original threatrical experience. It was an an experience that would have been totally destroyed had FOX removed the interval on the blu-ray. Can you imagine all the David Lean classics such as 'Doctor Zhivago', 'A Bridge On The River Kwai', 'Lawrence Of Arabia' etc being presented without the intermission and what a hell storm fans would raise if any hollywood studio had the nerve to delete the intermission?
“Overture†and “Entr’acte†in classics have a different background that has more relevance to theater stage readiness limitations and socio-economical state of that time. During those days, these were used to either changes in theater settings, costumes and acts, mood changes Such pieces of composition were well composed and can stand on their own. It used to work both for the actors as well as the audience. The audience used to remain occupied with classical music which had more to do with taste and culture above anything else. These pieces were equally received and appreciated and it was a great way to listen to these compositions.
Just think of this, if such pieces were not there do you think the value of such classic films would have lowered to any level? The Answer is ‘No’. But those being impressive compositions of their own, people would prefer having them either by calling it as a ‘re-creating the original theatrical experience’ or simply ‘enjoying great compositions’. The tradition is carried from stage and theaters to films more for the similar effect for audiences as with stage acts and theaters and had the least to do with the film itself. They were more of transitional effects from stage theaters to films...
I personally don’t see any similarity of Overtures and Entr’actes with Intervals in Bollywood movies. In fact with bollywood intervals in theaters, I hate to watch some random slides, pop music, people talking, kids shouting and pathetic ads during intervals which actually take away the mood of the movie further away from the audience. I therefore hate Intermission points in theaters and hate to see them in DVD and BD as they don’t add anything to my experience rather takes away the mood by introducing a frame of zero importance.
divyansh wrote:
+1......iam absolutely with you.......actually i was the one who started that thread.....and comming to 3 idiots....the interval point was really a thrilling point.....in the theatre i was wondering in the 5-10 minutes break who that person will be.....he doesn't looks aamir and there was a excitment.....or what ull say in hindi UTHSAAH that what will happen next....and guess what the point is deleted in the blu ray.....here they directly go and see that he is actually jawed jaafrey sitting....so it surely spoilt that scene......+ other issues also related to intervals are discussed in that thread.....
divyansh
Such sequences as in 3I are tickling points for our brain but I fail to understand why an Interval is required for such scenes during home viewing. Perhaps you guys can explain me what you do when you see the intermission logo while viewing at home… Take a 5-10 min break? talk to others in the room about what is happening?, start pondering on your own on the story?…etc… essentially, How do you make Interval a part of your watching experience?
To me, the storytelling and narrative of a film should not depend on what the interval point is. A good story told in mature way can tickle my brain at multiple points but I prefer to carry on with the movie and the mood without getting distracted. The very moment where the obnoxious Interval logo comes in, it just takes me out of the mood created by the director in the movie.
Couldn’t find much debate on the thread you started.
As I said, this is my personal opinion and there is nothing called right or wrong. I'd be really interested to hear from you guys why you really want to see the Intermission point in DVD and BD. I am all ears...
I personally would prefer the Studios to get rid of the Intermission logo. It adds nothing but distraction.
Cheers
Ani