David Hoffman | My 1972 Commercial Won Every Award. For Masterpiece Theatre @DavidHoffmanFilmmaker | Uploaded August 2024 | Updated October 2024, 2 hours ago.
When I made this television commercial for upstairs downstairs and masterpiece theater in 1972, I was experimenting with a jump-cut editing style that had not been used before. At that time it was considered "far out" because I changed scenes in the middle of words and sentences. Also, I got some famous folks to appear in the commercial like Harry Belafonte and the Muppets and Dick Cavett and Helen Hayes and Colleen Dewhurst, because they supported this kind of television programming. This was the first spot that introduced Americans to British theatrical television. I still think it's fun to watch and that hope you do as well.
Masterpiece Theatre is a British anthology drama series that became immensely popular and influential in the United States. It first aired on PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) on January 10, 1971, and was created as a showcase for British drama. The series was known for its high-quality adaptations of classic and contemporary British literature, as well as original British dramas. My television commercial, the one you were watching, was made just six months after it aired.
The series was known for its lavish productions, attention to historical detail, and faithful adaptations of literary works. This distinguished it from many American television shows at the time.
Masterpiece Theatre introduced American audiences to classic British literature, such as the works of Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, and the Brontë sisters. It also showcased new British drama, which was often sophisticated and intellectually engaging.
The series appealed to viewers who were interested in culture, history, and literature. It provided educational value, often accompanied by thoughtful introductions that added context to the stories.
The series was introduced by Alistair Cooke, a British-American journalist and broadcaster, who became a beloved figure in American television. His introductions were elegant, informative, and added a sense of gravitas to the program.Masterpiece Theatre offered a diverse range of genres, from historical dramas to mysteries, romances, and contemporary stories. This variety helped it appeal to a broad audience.
The "Masterpiece Theatre" name was used until 2008, when PBS rebranded the series simply as "Masterpiece." The rebranding divided the program into three sub-strands: "Masterpiece Classic" (for period dramas), "Masterpiece Mystery!" (for mysteries), and "Masterpiece Contemporary" (for modern dramas).
Despite the rebranding, "Masterpiece" continues to run on PBS, making it one of the longest-running primetime drama series in television history. It has remained popular, especially with adaptations like "Downton Abbey," "Sherlock," and "Poldark," which have garnered a new generation of fans.
When I made this television commercial for upstairs downstairs and masterpiece theater in 1972, I was experimenting with a jump-cut editing style that had not been used before. At that time it was considered "far out" because I changed scenes in the middle of words and sentences. Also, I got some famous folks to appear in the commercial like Harry Belafonte and the Muppets and Dick Cavett and Helen Hayes and Colleen Dewhurst, because they supported this kind of television programming. This was the first spot that introduced Americans to British theatrical television. I still think it's fun to watch and that hope you do as well.
Masterpiece Theatre is a British anthology drama series that became immensely popular and influential in the United States. It first aired on PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) on January 10, 1971, and was created as a showcase for British drama. The series was known for its high-quality adaptations of classic and contemporary British literature, as well as original British dramas. My television commercial, the one you were watching, was made just six months after it aired.
The series was known for its lavish productions, attention to historical detail, and faithful adaptations of literary works. This distinguished it from many American television shows at the time.
Masterpiece Theatre introduced American audiences to classic British literature, such as the works of Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, and the Brontë sisters. It also showcased new British drama, which was often sophisticated and intellectually engaging.
The series appealed to viewers who were interested in culture, history, and literature. It provided educational value, often accompanied by thoughtful introductions that added context to the stories.
The series was introduced by Alistair Cooke, a British-American journalist and broadcaster, who became a beloved figure in American television. His introductions were elegant, informative, and added a sense of gravitas to the program.Masterpiece Theatre offered a diverse range of genres, from historical dramas to mysteries, romances, and contemporary stories. This variety helped it appeal to a broad audience.
The "Masterpiece Theatre" name was used until 2008, when PBS rebranded the series simply as "Masterpiece." The rebranding divided the program into three sub-strands: "Masterpiece Classic" (for period dramas), "Masterpiece Mystery!" (for mysteries), and "Masterpiece Contemporary" (for modern dramas).
Despite the rebranding, "Masterpiece" continues to run on PBS, making it one of the longest-running primetime drama series in television history. It has remained popular, especially with adaptations like "Downton Abbey," "Sherlock," and "Poldark," which have garnered a new generation of fans.
