we have been working toward the development of a color videotape recorder.Auto Focus · 2002 — Chapter 7 of 16 · 1'59" · B2
The Demo Fails Spectacularly, Explained: pull a stunt like this
A live demo of a new color recorder is supposed to impress the room, and instead the picture comes out wrong. The boss scrambles: "We are experiencing a little technical problem," then turns on the man who set it up, all while Tokyo executives and network people watch.
What happens
Executives gather to watch a color videotape recorder in action, and John Carpenter is introduced as the man who set it up. The demo goes wrong: only one color shows on screen. The boss stalls the guests with coffee, then blames John and fires him on the spot, while John insists he followed the specs.
Listen for
pull a stunt like thiswhat lies in storecolor-blindaccording to specs
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Phrase of the scene
pull a stunt like this
do something reckless or outrageous like this
约翰的彩色录像机演示当场砸锅，屏幕一片绿，老板当着东京高管的面斥他 you pull a stunt like this。
You can't pull a stunt like that and expect everyone to forgive you.
Also in this scene
- what lies in store
what is going to happen in the future
- color-blind
色盲的；对某种差别视而不见
- according to specs
按照规格参数来
Everything marked in this scene
18 notes across 30 lines
Mr. John Carpenter, our Los Angeles representative, has set up a demonstration.what is going to happen in the future
This system will demonstrate what lies in store.I knew it was in color, but just the one?We are experiencing a little technical problem.If you'd excuse us just a second.It'll only be a few minutes, I promise. Arigato.I don't know. I set everything according to specs.Well, fix it!Looks fine to me.It's green! It's fucking green!Y-You really can't tell, can you?do something reckless or outrageous like this
I've got execs from Tokyo, every network, and you pull a stunt like this!- You can't do that. - It's done.- You can't do that. - It's done.I've got the contacts.Who do you think got you the celebrities?Do I need to call security?The Demo Fails Spectacularly, explained
What's really going on
The scene is about a small technical failure turning into a public humiliation. The pitch was all promise — "This system will demonstrate what lies in store" — and the crash happens in front of exactly the wrong audience: "I've got execs from Tokyo, every network." The boss's calm cover line, "We are experiencing a little technical problem," is damage control on the surface, but his real fury is about being shown up. John's defense, "I set everything according to specs," misses the point entirely; what matters to his boss is the room, not the manual. It is a business scene about blame: someone goofed, and the person highest in the room makes sure it is not him.
Theme
PowerA demo collapses in public, and the boss quickly shifts the blame downward rather than own the failure.
AmbitionThe showcase was meant to open doors; the botched version costs John the job he used to build it.
This system will demonstrate what lies in store.The sales promise before the crash: this machine will show everyone the future of the technology.
We are experiencing a little technical problem.A calm, corporate cover for disaster, said through the teeth while an entire room watches.
I've got execs from Tokyo, every network, and you pull a stunt like this!The boss names his exact audience to make the failure worse, framing the mistake as a deliberate stunt.
I don't know. I set everything according to specs.John's defense is technical and useless: he followed the manual, which does not save him in the room.
It's green! It's fucking green!The raw moment of realization, when the boss discovers the picture is the wrong colour.
Questions about this scene
Why does the demo fail?
The recorder shows the wrong color — everything comes out green — because the man who set it up can't see the difference himself.
Why is the boss so angry?
He invited executives from Tokyo and every network to watch the showcase, and the failure humiliates him in front of exactly the people he wanted to impress.
Does John keep his job?
No. The boss shoves him out on the spot, and when John protests that he has the contacts and brought in the celebrities, it changes nothing.
What does John say in his defense?
He insists he set everything up according to specs and points out that he is the one with the contacts who brought in the celebrities.
Auto Focus · 16 chapters
All chapters →
Up next · Chapter 8what went downJohn Carpenter Repairs Bob's VTR
Chapter 1a career-killerLenny Pitches Bob a Sitcom
Chapter 2get the messageAnne Confronts Bob About the Magazines
Chapter 3always been my thingBob Meets the VTR Salesman
Chapter 4copaceticBob and John's Party Night
Chapter 5light years ahead ofBob Crane's New Video Camera
Chapter 6clear enough for youBob Catches John on Tape
Watching · Chapter 7pull a stunt like thisThe Demo Fails Spectacularly
Chapter 8what went downJohn Carpenter Repairs Bob's VTR
Chapter 9go around onceBob's Wife Accepts an Open Marriage
Chapter 10dead airBob's Party and Career Blowup
Chapter 11Run it by meJohn's Wild Idea and Bob's Big Call
Chapter 12word gets aroundLenny Warns Bob About a Scandal
Chapter 13a complete professionalBob Goes Too Far on Live TV
Chapter 14get in circulationBob Asks His Agent for Work
Chapter 15take it for grantedBob Visits His Son
Chapter 16lower the boomBob and Carpenter's Falling OutChapter 7 of 16 · about 21 min to go