Title: Viewers
1Viewers Advisory
- Ontario Library Association Conference
- January 31, 2009
2Agenda
- Viewers Advisory Appeal Factors
- Documentaries
- Awards and Film Festivals
- Classifications
- Viewers Advisory Interview
- Movie and Television Viewers Advisory Resources
- Lists and Viewing Map
- Programming
- Staff Attitudes and Training
3Introduction
- Public Libraries have traditionally offered
selected audio visual resources 16mm, audio
cassettes, etc. - Over the past 5 years or so, the libraries have
responded to increased customer demand for DVDs. - DVD/VHS circulation has increased to 35 to 50
of a librarys total. - Economic downturn will only increase demand.
- Formal advisory service resources for movies are
few.
4Appeal Factors
- Many of the appeal factors in Readers Advisory
also apply to Viewers Advisory - Character
- Plot
- Setting
- Language
- Genre
- Time frame
- Pacing
- Mood
- Relationships
- Ideas
- Authenticity
- Sexuality
- Violence
5Appeal Factors in Detail
- We will look at the first five factors in detail
- Characters Ensemble casts, e.g. Woody Allen
movies such as Hannah and Her Sisters - Plot Dramas such as Whos Afraid of Virginia
Woolf, Guess Whos Coming to Dinner,
Revolutionary Road
6Appeal Factors in Detail
- Setting A stronger factor in movies than in
books. Directors will also use setting a create
a specific mood. With the development of high
definition films, setting will continue to be a
dominant factor. Examples Laurence of Arabia,
Titanic, Color Purple.
7Appeal Factors in Detail
- Language May have a different effect in a movie
since it is heard rather than read. Can be used
to convey an elegance in costume /period movie or
a degradation of setting, situation or position
in ganster movies. Cult classics Metropolitan and
Barcelona directed by Wilt Stillman use language
as a device to move the plot along.
8Appeal Factors in Detail
- Genres Like books, movies are classified into
genres. There is no definitive list. - 1. Action Spy, Martial Arts, Disaster
- 2. Adventure Swatchbucklers, Jungle or Desert
Locales, Treasure Hunts, Historical Spectacles - 3. Comedies Slapstick, Screwball, Spoofs and
Parodies, Romantic Comedies, Black Comedies
9Appeal Factors in Detail
- 4. Crime and Gangsters Film Noir,
Detectives/Mysteries, Serial Killers - 5. Drama Serious, plot-driven presentations
portraying realistic characters with intense
development and interaction, settings and life
situations - Biopics, Melodramas
10Appeal Factors in Detail
- 6. Epics/Historical Films - Costume Dramas, plot
set in a historical period - 7. Horror Films Slasher, Teen Terror, Serial
Killers, Satanic - 8. Musicals Film adaptations of Stage Musicals,
Musical Comedy
11Appeal Factors in Detail
- 9. Science Fiction Space, Futuristic Worlds,
Aliens, Time Travel - 10. War Often paired with other genres such as
Action, Adventure, Drama, Romance, Black Comedy,
Suspense, Epics and Westerns - 11. Westerns - Spaghetti Westerns, Revisionist
Westerns, Contemporary Westerns
12Other Appeal Factors
- Director There are some Directors who bring a
unique quality to a film. - Some appeal factors for a director
- - Type of movie action, horror, etc.
- - Use of special effects
- - Award winner
- - Use of cinematography
- - Level of violence or action
- Examples Quentin Tarrentino, The Cohen Brothers,
Wes Craven, David Cronenberg
13Other Appeal Factors
- Remakes
- Unlike books, there are remakes of the same
movie plot. Some customers may want to view them
to make comparisons. - Example Pride and Prejudice
- - 1940 Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier
- - 1995 - BBC miniseries Colin Firth
- - 2006 Kiera Knightly
14Documentaries
- A non-fiction film which enlightens, informs,
educates, persuades and provides insight into the
world in which we live.
15Documentaries - Categories
- Historical Films can cover topics such as war,
social history and politics. - -Example Jazz, Baseball and American Civil War
series by Ken Burns
16Documentaries - Categories
- Biographies Can be considered a subcategory of
historical films for profiles of historical
personalities. - - Example Bird, a look a the life of jazz great
Charlie Parker by Clint Eastwood
17Documentaries - Categories
- Concert an extended live performance or concert
by a musician, musical group or, more recently,
by a comedian. - -Examples The Last Waltz (The Band), Gimme
Shelter (Rolling Stones), Its Bad for Ya (George
Carlin)
18Documentaries - Categories
- Travelogues a form of virtual tourism the
advent of cable television channels such as the
Discovery Channel, and the availability of small,
high quality, digital video equipment have
renewed their popularity. - -Examples Around the World in 80 Days by Michael
Palin
19Documentaries - Categories
- Issues - Profile current issues such as obesity,
global and the automobile industry also
benefited from the availability of low-cost
quality video equipment and distribution straight
to DVD. - -Examples Supersize Me, An Inconvenient Truth,
Roger and Me
20Documentaries - Categories
- How-to and Self-Help - Popular with those who
are visual learners. - -Cover topics such as exercise, health, home
improvement, cooking and crafts
21Award Nominees and Winners
- Golden Globes and Academy Award nominees and
winners highly anticipated each year. - Libraries should acquire as many as possible due
to customer demand. - Lists should be available for staff and customer
use. - - Academy Award Best Picture
- www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/
oscarlegacy/bestpictures/index.htm
- -Golden Globes Nominees and Winners
- www.goldenglobes.org/nominations/
22Film Festivals
- Sundance (January)
- Cannes (May)
- Venice (August)
- Toronto (September)
- Customers may request previous feature films and
documentaries from directors or producers
highlighted in the latest festival.
23Movie Classifications
- Unlike books, movies receive a classification.
DVDs and VHS movies designed for home use in
Canada can have one of three classifications on
the box, and they may not all agree.
24Movie Classifications
- Motion Picture Association of America (MPPA)
- All movies of U.S. origin are rated by the MPPA.
Some movies distributed in Canada may have this
American classification printed on the cover.
25Movie Classifications
- MPPA
- G General Audiences. All ages admitted.
- PG Parental Guidance Suggested. Some material
may not be suitable for children. - PG13 Parents strongly cautioned. Some
materials may be inappropriate foe children under
13. - R Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying
parent or adult guardian. - NC-17 No one 17 and under admitted.
26Movie Classifications
- Ontario Film Review Board
- General Film appropriate for viewing by a
person of any age - Parental Guidance Parents should exercise
discretion in permitting a child to view the film - Adult Accompaniment (14A) - Persons younger than
14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult - Adult Accompaniment (18A) - Persons younger than
18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult - Restricted Film restricted to persons 18 years
of age or older.
27Movie Classifications
- 7 classification boards in Canada.
- DVDs released in a province that does not require
the provincial rating (Ontario for one) will have
the Canadian Rating System for Home Videos which
averages all the provincial ratings. These
ratings may be more lenient that the provincial
one required for theatrical releases.
28Television Classifications
- E - Exempt
- C - Children
- C8 - Children eight years and older
- G - General programming, suitable for all
audiences - PG - Parental guidance
- 14 - Viewers 14 years and older
- 18 - Adult programming
29 Classifications
- Classifications can only be used as guidelines.
- Knowledge of the movie/television contents is the
best tool for advising on age appropriateness for
parents and guardians. - Parents are the final arbiter.
30Public Libraries and Movie Classifications
- Cinemas are required by law to apply the movie
classifications and restrict admittance to films
with age limits. - Home use DVDs do not have the same legal
requirements. - Libraries are not compelled to restrict films.
- Libraries can create policies that restrict
circulation no R movies or age limits.
31Viewers Advisory Interview
- The Viewers Advisory Interview is similar to the
Readers Advisory one. - What other movies have you recently watched and
enjoyed? - What made this movie especially enjoyable?
- What movies have you recently seen and not
enjoyed? - Why do you dislike that movie?
- What kind of movie are you in the mood for today?
Romantic Comedy, Action, etc. - Is violence or sexual content an issue? Who is
going to watch the movie?
32Viewers Advisory Interview
- Documentaries
- - Would you like to watch how (woodworking
project, ballroom dancing, etc.) is done? - - Would you like to view a travelogue before your
trip? - -Would you like to watch DVD for more information
on World War II battles?
33Readers vs. Viewers Factors of Appeal
- Customers' appeal factors can relate to both
books and movies. - A discussion of book interests can help determine
movies of interest. - Movie interests can also affect the types of
books that the customer may enjoy.
34Movie Resources - Online
- Internet Movie Database www.imdb.com
- -Provides information on new releases,
forthcoming releases, independent film, reviews
offers discussion boards and list generators
also has information on television shows.
35Movie Resources - Online
- Movie Review Query Engine
- www.mrqe.com
- -Claims to be the largest search engine for movie
reviews from newspapers, television stations and
movie publications contains information on
forthcoming releases, box office results, film
festivals and best of lists.
36Movie Resources - Online
- Roger Ebert
- www.rogerebert.suntimes.com
- -Offers reviews, answers to questions on movies,
great movie highlights, film festival
information, movie glossary and blogs.
37Movie Resources - Online
- All Movie Guide
- www.allmovie.com
- -Comprehensive database of movies featuring a
movie blog, film synopses and reviews and concise
actor biographies.
38Movie Resources - Online
- Rotten Tomatoes
- www.rottentomatoes.com
- -labelled as the ultimate movie reaction site.
There are reviews, news, trailers and celebrity
information.
39Movie Resources - Print
- Video Hounds Golden Movie Retriever
- -Touted as the complete guide to movies.
Published by Thomson Gale. - -Indexes Alternate Title, Videos A-Z, Category
Index (subjects), Kibble and Series (adaptations,
quality check, recurring characters, successful
screen partnerships), cast, director, writer,
cinematographer, composer, video sources guide,
website guide
40Movie Resources - Print
- Halliwells Film Guide
- -Longest running movie guide includes cast and
credit information, pithy commentary on classics,
latest blockbusters, plot synopses, award winners
and nominees and evaluations.
41Movie Resources - Print
- Leonard Maltins 2009 Film Guide
- -Reviews of nearly 17,000 films, index of leading
actors and directors and Leonards personal
favourite films.
42Movie Resources - Print
- Video Librarian (periodical)
-Video Newsbriefs, Books into Movies, Mixed
Media, Video Movies, Classic Films/TV on DVD,
Video Reviews, Series Update, Japanese Anime,
Music/Dance
43Television Series
- A wide selection of television series, both
current and past, are now available on DVD from
U.S. Canadian and British networks in English. - Availability varies in public libraries from none
to a broad range.
44Television Series
- Customer demand will increase, so they should be
purchased. The librarys Collection Development
Policy can be used to identify series that will
fit your community. - Niche collection development, e.g. a broad
selection British television series, will attract
customers.
45Television Series - Resources
- Metacritic
- www.metacritic.com/tv
- -Reviews television series from 2005 to present.
- See also
- Internet Movie Database www.imdb.com
- Rotten Tomatoes www.rottentomatoes.com
- for television series reviews.
-
46Movie/Television Series Lists
- If you like Little House on the Prairie, you will
like...... - Christy
- Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Road to
Avonlea
7th Heaven
Waltons
Wind at my back
47Movie Lists
- Lost in Austen
(Movies related to
Jane Austen) - Jane Austen Theme in Feature Films
Bridget Jones' Diary
Bridget Jones,
Edge of Reason Jane
Austen Book Club
- Bride and Prejudice
Documentaries
Jane Austen's
Society
Jane Austen's Life
48Library Lists
- Skokie Public Library
- www.skokie.lib.il.us/s_audiovisual/av_lists/av_ls_
Movies/index.asp - Compilations on a number of themes
- Award Winners, Books, Authors and Writing,
Comedy, Cultural Interest, Family, Horror, In
Memoriam, Location, location, location, Music and
Dance, Mystery and Crime, Romance, Series,
Sequels and Remakes, Special Interest, Special
Occasions and holidays, Thrillers, Action and
Adventure, View-a-likes and Women.
49Library Lists
- Nashville Public Library
http//www.library.nashville.org/bmm/bmm_movies_li
stsjs.asp
-25 Essential Horror Films
-Broadway Musicals
-Coming
of Age Films
-Essential Films Presented in Glorious Black and
White
-Essential Romance Films
-Middle-aged Adults as
Characters in Films
50Books into Movies Lists
- Books into movies have been part of readers
advisory - Some lists
- -Mid-Continent Public Library
- www.mcpl.libr.mo.us/readers/movies
- 1250 books, short stories, etc.
- -Edmonton Public Library
- www.epl.ca/EPLMaster.cfm?idBOOKMOVIES
51Books into Movies Lists
- Movies that are better than the Books
- Godfather, Jaws, Jurassic Park, Return of the
King, Shawshank Redemption, Princess Bride, Blade
Runner, Forrest Gump, The Shining, Frankenstein - (Some selections from CTV.ca list
- www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080
528/ENT_moviebetterthanbook_2_godfather/20080528/)
52Viewing Map Bend it
like Beckham
- Female Bonding
-Calendar Girls
-First Wives Club
-Thelma and Louise
- Divine Secrets of the
Ya Ya Sisterhood - Culture Clash
-The Namesake
-My Beautiful Laundrette
-My Big Fat Greek Wedding
-Bride and Prejudice
53Library Movie Blogs
- Regina Public Library
www.reginalibrary.ca/findsstuff/dvdblog/aboutblog.
html
This blog
will help you stay current with new and coming
DVDs that will be available at the Library, film
awards, fun Hollywood gossip, trivia and more.
54Collection Development Policies
- Separate policy for audio-visual materials or
movies in particular?
-If yes, when was it last revised?
-Does it need to be more detailed? i.e.
features, television shows, documentaries
-Does it reflect what is
actually been purchased now?
55Collection Development Budget
- Is there a separate amount for DVDS?
- Does the budget amount reflect the demand and
circulation rates? - Does the budget break out Features vs.
Documentaries?
56Programming
- Programmes are a good way to create interest in
films and to bring like-minded patrons together.
57Movie and Book Clubs
- A good way to link movies and books together.
- Club members will read the book, then meet to
view the film. - A discussion of both ends the program.
58Based on a Book Movie Club
- Galesburg, Illinois Public Library
- -Club meets once a month at the local cinema
to watch a movie based on a book. They have a
discussion afterwards at a local restaurant.
59Toronto Film Festival Series
- Toronto Film Festival has a travelling collection
of a selection of its last festival's offerings
available to groups. - Burlington Public Library and the Friends of the
Ajax Public Library offer the series.
60Staff Attitudes and Training
- Readers' Advisory staff would not consider not
reading widely to provide excellent service. - However, the same cannot be said for movies and
television shows. - There still exists the attitude that libraries
are just books. - If the library's mission is to provide
recreational materials, movies and television
shows are part of the mix.
61Staff Attitudes and Training
- Encourage staff to develop a viewing list with a
brief review. - Have staff meet on a regular basis to discuss
movies and viewers' advisory opportunities. - Develop a blog for staff to post reviews,
observations, etc. for both internal and external
use.
62Conclusion
- Like Readers' Advisory, collection knowledge is
the key in Viewers Advisory. - Movies are here to stay. Providing entertainment
media is part of the public libraries mandate. - View, View, View!!!
63Contact Information
- Jill Nicholson
Lincoln Public Library
905-563-7014
nicholson_at_lincoln.library.on.ca