Authenticity in Online Streaming Film Presentations Rachel Campbell
Rationale: Authenticity on Netflix Streaming Online streaming has become more popular Issues of authenticity have arisen Authenticity defined as how the film was shown in theaters; default to DVD Buffering and freezing Aspect ratio changed (1.85:1 to 1.33:1) Due to the popularity of online streaming services and recent authenticity issues it is worth asking whether viewers are receiving the authentic film through online streaming
Previous Authenticity Studies Sherman and Dominick (1988) Subjects viewed film clips that were in their original black and white or colorized Results were nearly split in half in terms of preferences Neuendorf, Lieberman, Ying, and Lindmark (2009) Subjects viewed film clips either in original widescreen or in pan and scan Results were again split in half
Research Questions RQ1: Are the aspect ratios changed for online streaming? RQ2: How frequently do inconsistencies occur in films viewed through online streaming? RQ3: Of the inconsistencies that occur, which are the most prevalent?
Sample Population – all the films on Netflix streaming Sampling Frame – A list of the top 50 films on Netflix streaming From Instant Watcher.com This list was recorded every day for a month Only narrative films with a theatrical release will be considered for analysis Films to be analyzed will be chosen randomly from the combined lists
Coding Scheme: Instructions Unit of Data Collection – chapter of DVD Chapter number Time at beginning and end of chapter Instructions Use one coding sheet per chapter Answers on the coding sheet should relate to the streaming version of the film Transfer coding of all scenes for a particular movie to the spreadsheet Do not code opening or closing credits
Variables Aspect ratio 1.33:1 – full frame 1.85:1 – standard widescreen 2.35:1 – wider widescreen Missing Information Occurs when aspect ratio is changed Characters, objects or printed material could be partially cut or missing completely Reframing Due to aspect ratio, specifically pan and scanning
Variables continued Interruptions Due to buffering or freezing Could be caused by the streaming site or streaming device
Variables continued Editing Scene could be shortened or cut completely Visual or verbal censorship Color Black and white could be colorized; saturation
Variables continued Picture Quality Scale from “clear” to “heavily pixelated” Sound Higher or lower definition Sound could be unclear or muffled Streaming device could make noise Sound might not sync with picture
Suggestions? Are there any streaming issues that I left out? Are the directions clear?