HDTV - too much detail?

The clear, crisp life like quality of HDTV is enough to make most people cringe, but add to it the jumbo sized pictures that many of the HDTV sets carry, and ever wrinkle, line, or blemish will be blazing to the world. Not exactly the “top model” images most television personalities are always trying to attain.

The technology has proven to be a challenge, but one that the film techs and makeup artists feel sure they are able to over come. They are in the process of developing and refining methods to adjust to the HDTV technology.

The grain structure of HD video does not allow for the softness that film does – posing a special difficulty when filming females. Viewers want the females to be soft. Technicians are working with new filtrations and different taping techniques to try and provide the desired softness.

Taping men is a bit easier. The viewing public accepts that men are rougher and given to a more edgy look.

One of the new techniques that is being utilized is the airbrushing of makeup instead of the traditional method of applying it with a sponge or fingertip. The airbrushing gives a better over all coverage, but it is still not ideal for every situation.

Even the new makeup techniques will not be enough to restrain the glare and shining picked up by HDTV. Television personalities will have to take special care with their skip – getting regular facials, drinking plenty of water, avoiding caffeine and cigarettes, and getting plenty of exercise.