Thursday, July 26, 2012

Dying to Bring You the News

One of the first images in this spot is something I've never seen in a news promo.

A dying man.

Yep, as "broll" for a news promo.





Now, I don't know the entire story -- maybe this guy is just fine -- but really? 

That man has a family that has to watch that every time you air it. 

Using this shot is just tasteless in my book.


5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, very tasteless. Even if the man was revived, not everyone is going to know the story. As someone who works in the new business, even I felt the urge to look away from that shot. I don't think you want your viewers to look away from you news promos...

Anonymous said...

I agree it's tasteless, but I bet the average viewer doesn't have a problem with it. Watch one episode of Criminal Minds and there's enough killing to last me a lifetime, but the show is popular.

I would not use the shot in this context, but I think it's highly possible people are so desensitized it won't phase most people. Doesn't make it right, however.

Paul said...

Nice, clean masking job though.

Anonymous said...

Every shot in this promo obviously has an emotional connection to the community. A "known" event. Gutsy to actually try to make an emotional connection with your audience in my book. Everyday isn't flowers and butterflies.

Anonymous said...

Gutsy? I say gross.

No need to show a dying man in a news promo, period.

Are they hurting for ratings so bad that they'll exploit this man?