AVOD content - selective editing
 

I'm puzzled by how the programming on the AVOD is determined. Some of the movies appear to be edited (e.g., Shawshank Redemption had scenes removed appropriate to showing on network TV). I assumed that was because even if you exercise the Parental Controls on your child's screen, he/she can clearly see other screens nearby, particularly across the aisle one row up.

I noticed (it was hard to miss) the screen diagonally up from me was showing "Californication" and there were clearly :eek: topless scenes. What's the CO standard for content on the AVOD's?

I know if I were traveling with my kid sitting next to me and the guy by the window was reading a Playboy, I'd ask him to put it away. What's the protocol on that same person watching an innapropriate program that your kid can clearly see?

I think toplessness has been common in tv programming for a long time now, with regular toplessness in cable programming and soon to come to other networks, too. It's the inevitable slide in a world without absolute standards.

The United States is one of the few places where topless-ness on TV is still considered for the most part inappropriate.

I would think protocol in this situation would be to try and change your (and your child's) seat.

The only time you are going to get toplessness is premium channels a la Showtime, HBO, etc. Californication is a Showtime show. I had the same embarassing experience happen to me when I was flying IAH-LHR last March and was watching something when some (.)(.) showed up on screen. Got a stern look from the old lady sitting next to me. Whoops!

Was watching the Penn & Teller "Bullsh!t" show and had the same experience. The episode was about stress and all of the sudden there were a set of breasts on the screen.

You're right about that - unless the woman in question is holding a gun. :) Seriously though, even in those parts of the world where TV toplessness is no big deal, parents still control the on/off switch, and you can't see what your neighbors are watching.

Changing a seat in midflight might be tough. No certainty it wouldn't happen again in the new seat.

This is true. Though if I am paying for a premium service, I am going to want unedited content. So I suppose it is a tough situation for the airline to be in.

I guess I would say that unless you are watching some sort of porn (which I can't imagine is even an option) the length of time breasts or other parts are on the screen should be minimal. If you catch your child constantly trying to take a peek in the hopes of catching something, maybe set them up with a show or book or whatever diverts their attention. Or give em some Bailey's and put em to sleep for the rest of the flight. :p

The CO AVOD version of "Up In The Air" has all the AA planes digitally re-painted green & blue with the titles & logos removed.

My coworker & I had this discussion this morning because he said he was shocked when an unedited show had an 'adult image' for everyone to see. Personally, I don't think there's an easy answer because CO is not going to edit the LiveTV. I would suggest that those traveling with minors try to put the kiddo in a window seat, where they cannot see "across & up" and you can easily control what they're watching on their screen and yours. It's not perfect, but nothing in this world is.

Seriously?!?!?! That's kind of dumb. Really, nobody cares.

I was in FC on a DC-10 a looong time ago and was watching Boogie Nights. Got to the (in)famous final scene and there it was, in all its prosthetic glory. Nervously glanced around to make sure no kiddies were watching.:eek:

I have a privacy filter on my laptop screen. When I use it, you have to be looking straight at the screen to see it. The person sitting next to me or across & behind sees a dark screen. Is there such a device that could be incorporated into the AVOD screen?

Two things about the editing, on in relation to other airlines mentioned, and one about inappropriate scenes.

I had heard that about "Up in the Air," and I was tempted to watch just to see the editing, but didn't bother. However, I did watch "The Proposal" which includes a flight from NYC-Alaska. I don't think they ever did specify which airport, though I'd venture a guess and say ANC. Now the interesting thing is, the only airline that flies to NYC from ANC is CI. (I know, I know, it's just a movie. But a lot of directors go for an "authentic" look.) In any case, only the underbelly of the plane was shown. (Now I didn't see the original movie, so I can't comment if this was different than the original movie, but I'd guess it was.) Upon arriving in Alaska, they took a connecting regional jet to Sitka I think? Either way, the name of that airline was prominently displayed, perhaps because it was a fictitous airline??

As for inapropriate language, nudity... AA edited "Up in the Air" to change George Clooney's "racist" line from "stand behind Asians" to "stand behind businessmen." Interesting. I personally watched "The Hangover" and during the credits, they show a ton of semi to fully nude pictures. I did notice a younger child looking onto the screen and quickly shut it off. While I personally didn't mind, I did take my surroundings into account. I don't know how other "U-25 Guys" would've reacted. But it did feel a little weird that CO would allow such content on such a public scene.

I've always wondered that. I would imagine it has some cost factor to the screen/installation which is why you don't see it on any planes

It's not a matter of whether anyone else cares. The editing is mentioned a lot somewhere in this thread http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/commu...talkers-5.html, but I couldn't find everything, so the brief answer is: AA pays money to have the advertising of being prominently displayed in the movie. CO (as well as UA and DL) aren't about to give AA free advertising.

Good point.

So should CO/UA/DL even show the movie then? The movie is basically set around AA, it's not like they're just a plane in the backdrop of one particular scene.

I guess you could take this whole "what's appropriate on an AVOD screen" issue one step further. The new Lay Flat beds have an iPod port, allowing you to show any content from your iPod on the AVOD screen. While this would only apply to BF, it still raises the issue that you could presumably watch anything (which could be seen by your neighbors). Have the FA's been given any guidance if there's a disagreement?

I asked that same question. I guess though that it's not a movie about AA; it simply features heavy AA references as well as references to the Admiral's Club. However, if you think about it, it's just a movie with a plot that features George Clooney flying a lot and accessing the lounge. The basic premise of the movie remains unchanged. (I do agree though that CO and all these other airlines should simply not show it, but whatever.) What I am curious to know is how the edited movie deals with the scene near the end when he gets his 10 millionth mile; that's a pretty important scene. And it'd be kinda hard to whitewash AA outta that one...

A couple of years ago I watched the movie THE QUEEN in which the word “GOD” was beeped-out every time it was spoken…

I am not a very sensitive person when it comes to being offended by such things, but if I were, I might take offense to the fact that the word “GOD” was beeped-out. Why would CO find the title-name for the Christian god offensive?

I wonder do they beep all the times the names of deities of other religions are spoke in films?

I noticed that on domestic flights it is edited, on international it is not so (at least my experience)

Watching Dexter on LiveTV 737, then on AVOD777, it is like a different show....

I imagine most of the movies are the "for airlines" edit, suitable for viewing on overhead screens even if they're actually on a VOD display. I wasn't aware that they edited out competing airlines, but then, most movies don't use real airlines anyway. In addition to adult material, they will also edit out references to air crashes (Rain Man is a typical example).

For language, strict editors may bleep out "in vain" curses, but leave lines where it's actually referring to a deity.

Wathed it on UA's AVOD recently and all AA related images were altered out. He was basically given a blank metallic card in the edited version.

in THE QUEEN the word "GOD" was never used in vein... and it was edited-out every time it was spoken, even in reference to a deity.

Well, like other members of America's cultural elite, airlines worship Pan, the Goat God.

How many times have you ever heard someone utter "Shiva H. Gishnu"?

Info...
 

This exact issue has been discussed, but it's no different than a passenger bringing their own IFE, as in a 17" laptop with inappropriate content. Maybe one of our resident F/A's can comment?

AVOD content is migrating to unedited, since parental controls are now available. Overhead video content is still edited, and as noted above, live television is what it is.

Finally, the new 15.4" screens in BF have view filters installed.

How do they work? I was in a lay-flat last week and I could clearly see the screen across and up (which started this thread). Or are there new screens that not all the lay-flats have?

Which I suggest the combined UA/CO program send. Would love just a blank metal card. Maybe a bit of etching (name, number and private line) on the back.

Well if CO is already installing the new seats with everything they come with such as the new screens, I'd say that they're probably all the same. (Unless CO made a decision once some ships already featured the new seats to install them, but then I'd imagine that CO would've made some sort of announcement about the installation of "privacy screens.")

And I was also in the lie-flats on Monday, could see every other screen, though wasn't really looking as I was on the left side so my seat faced slightly inward to the left as oppose to the other 4 seats in the row which faced slightly to the right.

And if CO is indeed installing new privacy screens, there's no reason (except for money I guess?) to install them only in BF and not Y. If they do indeed want to protect kids, there are more kids, and more screens for them to watch in Y...

CO/UA/DL's decision is only whether or not to show the film, not whether or not to edit out the AA references. This decision is made by the studio, with the participation and approval of the director, and possibly the producers, as well. If the filmmakers wish to make a version of the film available without the AA references, and CO wishes to play it, then that is between the filmmakers and CO.

While there is no black and white policy regarding PAX playing porn, we definitely would address any blatantly offensive behavior. It's a fine line when some of the CO provided movies show boobs. Now, if someone was watching hardcore porn, that's a line that most would agree goes over the line. Same goes for sex acts on the AC (especially now that we don't have blankets:eek:).

So that's reserved for SQ and EK? :p

Not saying don't do it, just don't let anyone see...:p

...and please take the blanket with you at the end of the flight! (aaack!)
:rolleyes:

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry9700/5.0.0.442 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/606)

Please take the seat cushions with you as well! Or will CO soon begin offering a turndown service :p

totally wrong, It is not appropriate in Asia.

All of the airlines are showing the edited version. I've even heard the logos are blurred when the movie is shown on AA flights.

That's very dependant on where in Asia. I can tell you that in Israel, which is in Asia, has no true standards, and therefore it is appropriate. Perhaps it is different in other areas of Asia.
Also, "appropriate" in this context refers to what is acceptable as normal. If topless scenes are shown without censorship on a consistent basis in a given region, this makes it "appropriate" even if in absolute standards it's atrocious.
Finally, flg8rmatt's statement does not contradict yours. He simply states that the USA is "one of the few" places; Asia (at least parts of it) can be another "one of the few."