From slashDot:

Netflix has begun asking filmmakers to adjust their storytelling
approach to account for viewers who are scrolling through their phones
while watching, according to Matt Damon. The traditional action movie
formula involves three major set pieces distributed across the first,
second, and third acts. Netflix now wants a large action sequence in the opening five minutes to hook viewers.

The streamer has also suggested that filmmakers reiterate plot points
"three or four times in the dialogue" to accommodate distracted
audiences, he said. "It's going to really start to infringe on how we're telling these stories," Damon said.

https://www.nme.com/news/film/netflix-tells-directors-to-repeat-plot-for-people-using-phones-while-watching-says-matt-damon-3924120

(My take: It depends on the expected audience's expectations. If I'm
watching Hitchcock, my attention never leaves the screen. If it's
Michael Bay, wake me when it's (done) over.)



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Verily, in article <10km5ja$m6nu$1@dont-email.me>, did
nobody@nowhere.com deliver unto us this message:

Netflix has begun asking filmmakers to adjust their storytelling
approach to account for viewers who are scrolling through their phones
while watching, according to Matt Damon. The traditional action movie formula involves three major set pieces distributed across the first, second, and third acts. Netflix now wants a large action sequence in the opening five minutes to hook viewers.

The streamer has also suggested that filmmakers reiterate plot points
"three or four times in the dialogue" to accommodate distracted
audiences, he said. "It's going to really start to infringe on how we're telling these stories," Damon said.

This isn't brand-new. Producers have assumed a second screen for several
years now. Either Netflix is late to the party or things have (somehow)
gotten even worse.

--
The True Melissa - Canal Winchester - Ohio
United States of America - North America - Earth
Solar System - Milky Way - Local Group
Virgo Cluster - Laniakea Supercluster - Cosmos

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

On 1/20/2026 7:37 AM, The True Melissa wrote:

Verily, in article <10km5ja$m6nu$1@dont-email.me>, did
nobody@nowhere.com deliver unto us this message:

Netflix has begun asking filmmakers to adjust their storytelling
approach to account for viewers who are scrolling through their
phones while watching, according to Matt Damon. The traditional
action movie formula involves three major set pieces distributed
across the first, second, and third acts. Netflix now wants a
large action sequence in the opening five minutes to hook viewers.

The streamer has also suggested that filmmakers reiterate plot
points "three or four times in the dialogue" to accommodate
distracted audiences, he said. "It's going to really start to
infringe on how we're telling these stories," Damon said.

This isn't brand-new. Producers have assumed a second screen for
several years now. Either Netflix is late to the party or things
have (somehow) gotten even worse.

Making movies for an audience that isn't paying attention has to be a dispiriting enterprise. Otoh, there's Haydn's 'surprise symphony'...




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* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)