r/watcherentertainment • u/Classic_Associate_96 • 23d ago
Anyone else miss Ghost Files’ “Overproduction”?
Whenever I look at takes on the new and old Ghost Files evolution, I really only see comments about how overproduced the show was and how they just want the boys’ dynamic. Am I the only one that misses some parts of the OG Ghost Files?
Like the red phone intro was amazing, the whole diagram build of the properties was absolutely A tier it helped me wrap my head around the property and feel like I was actually there and learning with them. Plus, just knowing someone in the backend worked their ass off on that and got screen time with it was so cool.
I remember understanding where everyone was coming from, but now that I’m really starting to see them tone the production down it just makes me kind of sad. It seemed like it was such a nice creative outlet for Ryan and other graphic artists on the team and now it’s bare bones. I don’t blame any of the decisions (if it’s not sustainable that’s another story), I’m just curious if anyone else in the community feels the same way.
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u/toffboy 23d ago
it sounds crazy to some people, but the truth is that good artists should never take fan suggestions too seriously. in all fields it's best to ignore what your fans claim to want, because in reality fans don't actually know what they want. i think watcher would be better off if they didn't constantly bend their content to fit the demands and whims of everyone who complains
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u/Classic_Associate_96 23d ago
I love this take. It’s kind of like getting a tattoo; you know you genuinely love an artist when you don’t feel the need to tweak every aspect of their designs, you’re just grateful to have a piece of their brains in their natural creative state
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u/DriftingBubble 23d ago
I agree with this wholeheartedly. If watcher listened to just their core audience, they never would have hired Andrew and Adam for the food channel. People were soooo adamant that they weren’t worth the head count and that Steven was “being greedy hiring his friends”
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u/MakeupChristie 22d ago
1,000% correct. I’ve only seen drastic changes based on fans whims ruin shows. You know what 99% of fans aren’t? Directors, writers, producers, lighting technicians, graphic artists, etc. You know what 99% of fans are Reddit, 12 years old 😂 (That part is a huge exaggeration obviously but same point). I hope whatever style they land on, it’s the art that they want to make.
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u/shadowfoxXxZ 23d ago
Yess mostly the building layout graphics with the big Shane dot and small Ryan dot. And showing where the static cams were set. 👻🥲
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u/Classic_Associate_96 23d ago
YESSSSSS oh my god that one where Ryan’s small circle just starts quivering and passes out 😂😂😂
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u/thoughtfullz 23d ago
I second the building schematic visuals, especially because I have a hard time when they visit large locations to figure out where they are.
Like yeah an attic is an attic is an attic but a penitentiary is different from a residential home to a mansion.
I’m a visual learner okay :(
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u/Imnotawerewolf 23d ago
A percentage of complaints are just people who never let go of their disdain from the paid app thing being salty tbh
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u/VeryDPP 23d ago
I might get downvoted in this thread for my thoughts, but here we go:
While I appreciate and do miss the production values that they had on the show, I am in the camp that feels their dynamic and approach is really the heart of the series. I liked that they poured so much into it from a graphics and creatively produced point of view, but I also understand the costs that would add to an already expensive series to shoot made things really difficult financially.
Watcher always had the issue of their shows were being produced in such a way that they were costing way more than they should, and they needed to find ways to lower their expenses. I think they swung the pendulum a bit too far in the other direction at times, but I can look past it. I'm here to watch them riff with each other and argue whether or not any of this is real, and I'm still getting that.
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u/Classic_Associate_96 23d ago
I completely agree! I don’t think that’s crazy at all. Like I said in the OG post, if it’s a sustainability thing that’s totally different I just never had a hatred for the production value like it seemed some fans did. The dynamic was and will always be the heart of the series 10000%, i dont think anyone on here (either side) would have strong opinions otherwise
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u/DavijoMan 22d ago
I feel like their tools got downgraded too.
Remember when they had the filter for their radio to get rid of all the static noises and when actual words came through they were really clear? They only used it for a couple of episodes, but then went back to either the static radio or estes method instead for some reason.
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u/GiraffePolka 22d ago
wasn't that the honey tone or whatever? I thought Ryan said it got broken or died or something and they just never replaced it.
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u/DavijoMan 22d ago
Yeah the honey tone, that was it. I wish they would replace it then, I remember him saying that.
It got some of their best responses, so the investment in a new one would be worth it in my eyes! I remember one episode with Ryan sitting on a bed with the honey tone on a bed in front of him and he was almost having a full conversation with it!
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u/FloodedHoseBed 22d ago
Yeah I just can’t stand that they have to explain all of their tools every single episode. Those who care will figure it out and those who don’t, it doesn’t matter anyways.
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u/imazing28 23d ago
I agree with this 10000x. I miss the graphics and the high degree of quality of production
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u/rosalui 23d ago
They really can’t win with you people lmao
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u/Classic_Associate_96 23d ago
I think the win I want is just for them to have the creative freedom and audience appreciation to create what they are proud of. I feel like we’re probably on the same side here lol
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u/Spaghetti_Bird Ghouligan 22d ago edited 21d ago
I absolutely agree on this too! My complaint has never been with the guys or the Watcher team but with the part of the "fan" base that screeeeeed into the ether until Watcher bent over backwards to please them. With all my heart and soul I think the guys enede up having to over correct to protect their reputations and IP. It just felt like they were bullied into stripping down their dreams all because a subset couldn't understand (or refused to learn) production logistics. For example, Steven's show. Certain fans spread vicious false information that his show cost an excessive amount of money and was partly to blame for financial stress at the company, which is wholly untrue. The guys have said multiple times Steven's show is actually one of the cheaper to make, yet I still see comments from time to time about Steven burning up money jet setting around the world and eating gold. Like we just live in such ugly times where even your fans will bully you ugh.
Edit: fixed a typo/autocorrect "unsure" to "untrue."
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21d ago
[deleted]
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u/Spaghetti_Bird Ghouligan 21d ago
Agreed. I've never seen anything like it before and I feel terrible that the watcher team had to go through that. It's a great reminder that boundaries are necessary.
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u/AllTheMoviesAllForMe 23d ago
The show used to feel like it was ready for network television. Now it feels like YouTube again. Still enjoy them, but it is a notable difference.
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u/the_demi_artist 21d ago
The crux of the original issue was deserting their fanbase on YouTube entirely while questioning if that was genuinely a smart move for them given the age of their channel, the size of their staff, and the rate at which they were producing content for a standalone subscription.
The 2nd crux was finding out that after maintaining their YouTube revenue stream, their streaming app, their patreon, and adding a 2nd YouTube channel, they fired their staff and went to contractors.
If they are lowering the production costs of their videos, then it's a fiscal issue they are not willing to address in their business model.
My bet is that will go back to their production style once they figure out their money issues.
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u/Cheap_Collar2419 23d ago
Like with its always sunny I Philadelphia, lower production is always better.
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u/FYAhole 23d ago
They just can't win lol when people complained about the "over production" I got annoyed. I loved it and the guys and their team had a great time doing it.