Wetlook World Forum

When NYPD Blue first started, I thought it was one of the best shows of its genre on TV. The shaky camera effect they used (and seemed to pioneer) wasn't a big issue for some of the scenes where you're not quite sure what's going to happen next - action scenes, etc. Trouble was, they went overboard... the entire show was shot "shaky camera" style, and I found that to be distracting and actually very tiring to watch... so much so that I eventually gave up on it. No matter how good the scripts, acting or direction may have been, it just wasn't worth suffering through a solid hour (less commercial breaks) of all that shaking around.

I've noticed that it's been picked up in other places as well (as you point out). As I said above, my theory is that it's supposed to make you think that the action and dialog is unscripted - that the camera operator has no idea what's going to happen next, and is just trying to keep up. As a result, you as the viewer as supposed to become more engaged in the show. We all know everything is scripted pretty much down to the last detail, and all that annoying camera shake is just the latest dramatic device Hollywood has glommed on to in their own "arms race" competition for viewership. Evidently, Madison Avenue has picked up on it for their own "arms race" to draw your attention to their advertising messages.

Despite appearance to the contrary, my hope is that it is just a fad which will eventually wear off, or at least be used sparingly.