Telescreen

Telescreens are fictional devices which operate as both televisions and security cameras. They feature in George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four as well as all film adaptations of the novel. In the novel and its adaptations, telescreens are used by the ruling Party in Oceania to keep its subjects under constant surveillance, thus eliminating the chance of secret conspiracies against Oceania.

All members of the Inner Party (upper-class) and Outer Party (middle-class) have telescreens in their homes, but the proles (lower-class) are not typically monitored as they are unimportant to the Party. As later explained in Emmanuel Goldstein's book of which Smith reads some excerpts, the Party does not feel threatened by the Proles, assuming that they would never rebel on their own, and therefore does not find a need to monitor their daily lives.

The character O'Brien claims that he, as a member of the Inner Party, can turn off his telescreen (although etiquette dictates only for half an hour at a time). While the programmes could no longer be seen or heard, the screen still functioned as a surveillance device, as after Winston is taken into the Ministry of Love, the audio of his meeting with O'Brien with the telescreen "off" is played back to Winston. The screens are monitored by the Thought Police. However, it is not clear how many screens are monitored at once, or what the precise criteria (if any) for monitoring a given screen are (although it is seen that during an exercise programme that Winston takes part in every morning, the instructor can see him, meaning telescreens are possibly an early variant of videophones). Telescreen cameras do not have night vision technology, thus, they cannot monitor in the dark. This is compensated by the fact that their microphones are incredibly sensitive, and they are said to pick up a heartbeat. As Winston describes, "...even a back can be revealing..."

Telescreen (band)

Telescreen was formed in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in 2007. Following the breakup of Classic Case and Codeseven, members of the two bands joined forces to create a new experimental musical project. Taking their name from George Orwell's classic dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, the band combines delicately crafted samples and effects with progressive space rock. Their live performances feature the quintet playing behind a giant screen, which alternately features messages and art film imagery. The lighting and projection is timed so that at certain points the band is visible behind the screen, while at others they are completely obscured by the images that flow along with the music.

Telescreen released The Solar Sea in 2007 by means of a creative commons license where fans could download the music directly from the band after sending a small payment via PayPal. In September 2008, Telescreen signed to Tragic Hero Records.

Discography

Related bands

Telescreen (company)

Telescreen (or Telescreen BV formerly known as Telecable Benelux B.V.) is a Dutch television production company that has produced and distributed children's TV series such as Miffy, Moomin and Alfred J Kwak since 1983.

The international Consumer Products department manages and develops the merchandising programs of animated properties worldwide, such as Frog & Friends and Lizzie McGuire.

As licensing agent, they also represent some of the world’s major entertainment companies in the Benelux territory, such as: BBC Worldwide, Turner Broadcasting, TV-Loonland, Chapman Entertainment and Aardman Animations.

The company services the full range of children's entertainment production, from animation production, TV distribution, home entertainment, consumer products, royalty administration to artwork coordination and creation.

History

Telescreen B.V. was founded in 1983 under the name Telecable Benelux BV by Dennis Livson and Jos Kaandorp. In 1994, the name Telecable Benelux B.V. was changed into Telescreen B.V. Soon thereafter, Livson sold the company to the giant Japanese entertainment firm Mitsui & Co., Ltd., which acquired the company through a spin-off subsidiary, Pri-mation Media BV.