Largely seems like some movies are written to be mass consumed and some are not. No different then a movie from the 90s. Our attention span is decreasing a lot obviously, but it's never been that long.
https://www.nplusonemag.com/issue-49/essays/casual-viewing/
>Several screenwriters who’ve worked for the streamer told me a common note from company executives is “have this character announce what they’re doing so that viewers who have this program on in the background can follow along.”
I don't necessarily agree that it means all movies (or even most) are doing this, but it is some evidence that at least some are.
There are, of course, ways that writers and directors get to ignore executive feedback, have a bunch of recent hits already is one, do your movie outside the studio system is another, have it in your contract because you gave up some money or whatever is a third. This is why some movies are still made in older ways, but from what they said that feedback is pretty universal now.
In the past the note would have been "Include the line of dialogue so someone folding laundry can follow it."
Or "Include the line of dialogue so someone channel surfing who just started watching can follow the plot."
> Amid a push to perfect 'casual viewing,' creatives say streaming execs are requiring them to remove nuance and visual cues, and do things like announce when characters enter a room.
Some discussion:
Casual Viewing – Why Netflix looks like that
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42529756
and Related:
The new literalism plaguing today’s movies