Directorial Vision as a Source of Innovation in Television Programs: A Qualitative Study of Directors' Experiences in the United Arab Emirates
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59992/IJESA.2026.v5n10p1Keywords:
Directorial Vision, Television Directing, Media Innovation, Creativity, Television Production, Technology, Thematic AnalysisAbstract
The study aims to investigate directorial vision as an innovative source of television programs through television directors' perceptions and their experiences regarding the different television channels in the UAE. In this study, the approach used is qualitative, using a purposive sampling technique for the respondents, which consisted of 12 television directors from the 12 television channels. All interviews were about 50-60 minutes in length. The questions that the directors were asked in the interviews centered on their creative methods, professional and production issues, the influence of technology, the cultural and social impact of television programmes, as well as what they believed was necessary for innovative television programming, and how they would manage pressure and deadlines at work. The interview data were organized and interpreted using thematic analysis. The themes that came out of these interviews were: creative vision and personal style; storytelling and audiovisual quality; technology as an enabler of innovation; audience engagement and interactivity; cultural identity and context; management of production constraints and professional pressures; and teamwork and creative leadership.
The study results indicate that innovative direction is not solely based on the use of advanced technology. Instead, it is formed by the synthesis of imaginative vision, audiovisual narration, technical skills, production management, collaboration, audience perception, and culture. The interviews also suggest that the directors who participated in the research feel that their work could be a contribution towards identity, heritage, values and societal issues. The study doesn't, however, measure the actual impact of these programs on audiences. The results of the study provide an interpretative framework for the perception of innovation in television production, which is defined by the interaction of creative, artistic, technological, production, audience, and cultural aspects, giving rise to the concept of Integrated Directorial Vision.
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