12-12-2022, 10:53 PM
The documentary, The Disappearance of April Jones, currently showing on Channel 4, is being broadcast in 4:3 with black bars at either side of the screen.
It would appear to be a stylistic choice by the makers of the programme rather than a transmission error, as the framing doesn’t look cropped.
I can only presume they think it focuses the attention on the talking heads featured and adds a certain extra intensity. I think it was discussed on TVLF the increasing number of adverts using 4:3 for stylistic reasons, but it’s the first time I’ve seen a return to 4:3 programme making since everything went widescreen in the late 90s/early 00s.
I’m not sure I’m a fan though. It feels these days that it’s a rarity, outside live programming, for the picture to fill my TV screen anymore.
It would appear to be a stylistic choice by the makers of the programme rather than a transmission error, as the framing doesn’t look cropped.
I can only presume they think it focuses the attention on the talking heads featured and adds a certain extra intensity. I think it was discussed on TVLF the increasing number of adverts using 4:3 for stylistic reasons, but it’s the first time I’ve seen a return to 4:3 programme making since everything went widescreen in the late 90s/early 00s.
I’m not sure I’m a fan though. It feels these days that it’s a rarity, outside live programming, for the picture to fill my TV screen anymore.