Netflix's latest feature
Netflix are introducing a new feature that allows you to speed up or slow down what you're watching.
And Hollywood's creative community are not happy about it.
According to The Verge, this new feature will be available to everyone withing the coming weeks.
It allows those on an Android phone to stream content at slower speeds of either 0.5x or 0.75x.
And at faster speeds of either 1.25x or 1.5x.
Backlash
The new feature was first reported in October last year, and was met with backlash from Hollywood directors.
The Incredibles' Brad Bird tweeted, 'Whelp— another spectacularly bad idea, and another cut to the already bleeding-out cinema experience.'
'Why support & finance filmmakers visions on one hand and then work to destroy the presentation of those films on the other???'
Whelp— another spectacularly bad idea, and another cut to the already bleeding-out cinema experience. Why support & finance filmmakers visions on one hand and then work to destroy the presentation of those films on the other??? https://t.co/T7QdYAQGHU
— Brad Bird (@BradBirdA113) October 28, 2019
While Ant-Man's Peyton Reed tweeted, 'Dear @Netflix, This is a terrible idea.'
'I and every director I know will fight against it. Sincerely, Peyton Reed'
Dear @Netflix,
This is a terrible idea, and I and every director I know will fight against it.
Sincerely,
Peyton Reed https://t.co/iPq10ywKfz
— Peyton Reed (@MrPeytonReed) October 28, 2019
Knocked Up's Judd Apatow also tweeted, 'No @Netflix no.'
'Don’t make me have to call every director and show creator on Earth to fight you on this. Save me the time.'
'I will win but it will take a ton of time. Don’t f**k with our timing.'
'We give you nice things. Leave them as they were intended to be seen.'
No @Netflix no. Don’t make me have to call every director and show creator on Earth to fight you on this. Save me the time. I will win but it will take a ton of time. Don’t fuck with our timing. We give you nice things. Leave them as they were intended to be seen. https://t.co/xkprLM44oC
— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) October 28, 2019
Netflix's response
According to The Verge, Netflix are introducing extra features in order to work with the creative community on this.
They want to ensure that the quality of the content isn't disrupted.
A spokesperson told the publication, 'We’ve also been mindful of the concerns of some creators.'
'It’s why we have capped the range of playback speeds and require members to vary the speed each time they watch something new - versus fixing their settings based on the last speed they used.'
Meanwhile, Netflix’s vice president of product innovation, Keela Robison also addressed the issue.
As quoted by The Verge, she said, 'The feature has been much requested by members for years.'
'Most important of all, our tests show that consumers value the flexibility it provides, whether it’s re-watching their favorite scene or slowing things down because they’re watching with subtitles or have hearing difficulties.'
No further comment has been made.
