More on TV voice-overs

[Alan Kita]

I would like to add that possible the artistic technique of voice-over
assist in the one aspect that, to generalize, the Japanese seldom gets
to do....know what is on the mind of another person.  Since this is not
"done" in normal situations, I think Japanese expect to find out how the
main characaters think bu using this device to "air" out personal
thoughts.

Alan

Michael Badzik wrote:
> 
> Stephen Sarrazin wrote (in the "ICC Tokyo" thread):
> 
> >ps: would like to take this opportunity to also respond to something
> >that come up on the list a couple of weeks ago, concerning dramas and
> >the use of voice-over.I'm working on a book in part of which I'm
> >discussing dramas- and having looked at scripts & productions notes, one
> >of the main reasons for voice-over is to diminish production costs and
> >accelerate the shoot; much quicker to do a camera set-up with an actor
> >sitting here or there, or moving, whatever, without saying lines, and do
> >voice-over afterwards.
> 
> This is all very true. But there are alternative techniques when looking
> to save money and time, some of which require even less money and
> production time. And so would not the use of this voice-over technique
> - even when economically motivated - therefore constitute an artistic
> decision since there is a choice involved?
> 
> I must also admit to hoping that this thread would produce a few
> other ideas proposed and argued on the subject of the "artistic" side of
> voice-overs on television. One of these would be whether the benshi
> tradition in the cinema plays any influence. Or the influence of
> Japanese literature, with its history of writings in the first person
> perspective that may play a role here.  While they may not be as popular
> now, there have been a lot of television dramas done in a diary style
> with voice-over narration.  Or is there a link to the serials printed in
> the newspapers (that are usually mentioned whenever the origins of
> programs such as NHK's Asaren are discussed)? My own knowledge of
> the above subjects is far too slim to make any sort of a convincing
> argument, but the ideas intrigue me.
> 
> Michael Badzik
> mike at vena.com