M*A*S*H: The Evolution

From a simple password turned into a movie then to one of idiot boxs greatest legend, M*A*S*H had beautifully evolved to a work of art. Its popularity and stretched life span is enough testimony for the visual aspects qualitynot to mention several nominations and awards. It was one of the most watched video recording utters of its time. Much of the portrays success is the fruit of fine ensemble acting, beautifully written body fluidty al-Quran, and the most discernible of on the whole the innovative use of the television tv camera.The scripts satirical charm has won the loyalty of fans finished its clever use of humor. Overlapping dialogues was a device frequently employ by the take the stand. This gave the script wit and it sounded very natural. It also made way for some of the press outs most famous punch-lines. The script can be easily followed by the audience even though its episodic. It followed a self-colored story that has kept the audience entertained. It deb unked the idea that war story genre had to be have a serious atmosphere.M*A*S*H is considered as a show ahead of its time. The show had stood firm through the historic period even though it underwent several changes like changes of cast members and important hatful behind the camera. The early episodes of M*A*S*H, though lacking the production equipment we have now, was walkover in style. Stylish zooms were used and quite got the precaution of critics.Camera techniques were very important in the storytelling. The zooming and panning used in the show is now a convention in television shows. We should also appreciate the shows long shots. This is not done more than in television productions, even forthwith with all the advancement in camera technology. To think that M*A*S*H was able to take in such kind of high-quality show is very impressive even to todays most acclaimed directors.As a war story, the cinematography has to give the audience a war story tactile property. M*A*S* H has succeeded in that aspect and continued to further improve the quality of cinematography. The early years of production had to work with average level equipments. As time had gone by and the pilot show promised popularity, they were given more money to take the show to the next level and set the show obscure from the other(a) shows of that time. More money is now available to acquire equipment to improve lighting and sounds.The improved lighting, allows just say that it made the show more easy to the gists. The lighting made the shots eye candies. It highlighted the colors of the situation and delivered the feel of war to television screens. The close-up to actors is now reduced of unwanted shadows that maybe distracting to the audience. The costume, particularly in the later episodes was given more color and character by the improved lighting. The long shots and the other camera shots made in the exterior were improved to a point that the audience can feel the situation. The shots made in the interior were also improved by the lighting. It gave a more in shrewdness feel of rooms for medical attention in the gory times of wars.The improvement of sounds also contributed much to the shows success. From the opening credits to the closing, the tunes are catchy enough to keep the audience attention intact. The background music doesnt over power the actors voice while he or she is speaking his or her line. This is very important to a television show and M*A*S*H seems to be very aware of that fact. The background music is just there to set up the emotion of scenes, not to be the scene itself. Audibility is a major factor to be considered in every production. M*A*S*H has also improved in this aspect. From gunshots to door creeks, from shouts to whispers, audibility has definitely improved.Multiple editing also became an important facto to the shows success. The pursuit of quality is distinctly meticulously pursued by the show. This is vey hard for a prod uction because aside form the fact that it is cost the production more money, it is causing the production precious time. Wastes in time in a television production are unforgivable in the genre. There is never a day that a television production has no tight deadline to meet. But the sacrifice made by the production to further improve the quality of their show is really impressive, especially during their time where editing equipment is rather slow by the prototype of today and the budget is tight.M*A*S*H is a television show that the shows of today is puted. M*A*S*H has all the necessary factors for a hit show. It is the recipe that should be followed by the shows of today if they want to run for more than a decade like M*A*S*H did. M*A*S*H may have been to several great(p) changes, but the important thing they did is that kept the quality of their show high and kept giving their audience entertained and laughing even to the most serious of situations like war.This show has shown us how effective the camera is in the aspect of storytelling. The exploration of M*A*S*H in the use of camera is phenomenal. They are one of the pioneers of such effective use of the camera. This show has proven that an expensive camera is not the formula for a hit show. It is the use of that camera that is very important. Todays television shows that lacks on this aspect should look back and study M*A*S*H as their model show.To think that M*A*S*H can still stand toenail to toe to a television show of today really proves its legendary reputation. If moreover the use of cameras now has the corresponding motivation and passion just like the people of M*A*S*H, I am very excited to think of the possibilities. The cameras of today are way beyond the capabilities of the cameras back then. If the new technologies is only used and pushed to its full potential, who knows how high the level of quality we can achieve.ReferenceEditorial Reviews. 2000. Mash- Season genius on TV. Retrieved 0c tober 29, 2007