I chose the show For the People for this blog as I have yet to watch the show as I have not heard of it before until recent weeks of promotional commercials for the second season.
While watching the show for the first time, with the sound muted, I noticed how many of the characters appeared to be strangers starting a new journey as lawyers as each one is introduced one by one in a courthouse setting. There seems to be light exchanges between them all as one by one each one enters the scene. As the show progresses, there is some relationships shown in how a few of the characters are all in the same apartment but all of the other characters are strangers just learning to work with one another it seems.
The exchanges between them all seem quite intense and aggressive from the eye contact that seems to always be maintained when the characters are interacting. There was an occasional smile but overall every exchange regardless of whether the characters had a previous relationship or acquaintance with the other was quite competitive.
Watching the show again with the sound on, it was clear that each character is quite competitive as each is beginning his or her journey as either a public defender or a prosecutor (Davies, 2018). Each character is quite intense with his or her interactions as each one is working on difficult cases which it is always important to do his or her best and conclude with a positive outcome for the client. Accenting, which according to O'Hair, Wiemann, Mullin, & Tevin (2015) describes as "clarifying and emphasizing specific information in a verbal message" is used widely through out the episode to really show the aggressive of each character (p. 97).
If I were able to watch for example The Office, which I am extremely familiar with, I would have been able to know exactly the relationship as well as the context of the delivery of the information being conveyed. This show is one that I have viewed a multitude of times so I already know the relationships of the characters as well as how the subtle non verbal communication builds the show.
I have always found it quite difficult to begin a new show simply because I am not familiar with the characters as well as how each one expresses him or herself. Understanding how communication plays a role in the interactions could help me in the future to decode the relationships between characters early one so I am able to follow the show better instead of it taking about four episodes for me to understand the context.
References
Davies, P. W. (Writer). (2018, March 13). Pilot [Television series episode]. In For the People. Burbank, California: ABC.
O'Hair, D., Wiemann, M., Mullin, D. I., & Teven, J. (2015). Real communication (3rd. ed). New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.
I love that you state understanding how communication plays a role in the interactions could help you in the future to decode the relationships. Developing your communication skills can help in all aspects of your life, from your professional life to social media and everything in between. The ability to communicate information accurately, clearly and as intended, is a vital life skill and something that should not be overlooked but rather appreciated.
ReplyDeleteTracy
Tracy,
DeleteYes, I am working quite diligently to be a more active listener. I have a coworker going through some difficult times and I want to be able to support her by being the listening ear for her to come to when needed. By developing better listening skills I can offer this to her as well as be better at communicating as a whole.
Sarah, Its so amazing how we can sense things through hand gestures, facial expressions, and how aggressive the characters are in tv shows or movies. This lies true for many situations in real life. Watching the show with the sound down made me realize how someone who was hearing impaired may feel. I enjoyed your blog.
ReplyDeleteTheresa,
DeleteI often watch television shows with the closed captioning or subtitles on. (This was something my husband and started doing when our son was a noisy infant) So more often than not I am reading the show as opposed to watching it but by listening to the tone, volume, and expression in the voices I am able to decode a lot of what is being conveyed. It has helped me understand a great deal over the years and when I watch a show without it I often feel lost.