Should 3 Minutes Limit Rule Be Changed?

[Impressive]

This is crap rule.

I know, if show takes very long time, viewers reduction. But 3 minutes rule is not enought to introduce any song. Postcards take one minute and each song takes three minutes.

If we take postcards down to 30 seconds and let songs to be 3:30 minutes, it would be very impressive. In three minutes situation, every song has same period. 40 seconds opening part, a chorus, something same melody with different lyric, one more chorus and ending.

This is not appropriate for a musical, consort event.

 

[CPV4931]

I don´t think, that 30 seconds of postcards would be enough to prepare the next entry on stage.
But after all - if all songs would be 30 seconds longer the show would be about 15 minutes longer. I think, that would be acceptable.

 

[CC92]

I don´t think, that 30 seconds of postcards would be enough to prepare the next entry on stage.
But after all - if all songs would be 30 seconds longer the show would be about 15 minutes longer. I think, that would be acceptable.

Yes, but the length of the entries has actually never been a big issue for me.

 

[Impressive]

Yes, but the length of the entries has actually never been a big issue for me.

My favourite part of Taken by a stranger has taken by that rule at final performance.

 

[GRE]

This is one of the most old rules of ebu (3 min) and i don't think it will change.

 

[AdelAdel]

I agree that it should be changed to 3:30 or even 4 minutes. 3 minutes is way too short, many songs would sound way better if they could be longer. One of my personal prime examples would be Estonian entry of 2011. The second part of the song was TOO SHORT to be enjoyable, I felt like the chorus came twice in a row (with a barely noticeable 2nd part).

Every song for ESC is written specially to be exactly 3 minutes, if the rule was 4 minutes, I bet that many songs would still have around 3 minutes.

 

[dizzydjc]

Nah, I think it's OK. At a push I think limit could be extended by 30 seconds but that's it, it is a TV show after all.

I will always say though that they should (and need to) change the max 6 persons on stage rule. I honestly think more dancers or band members (as part of a "live" band) would give more dynamic on stage.

 

[Mozz]

For me, there should be a minimal length for entries, say 2 minutes and 50 seconds.

But I don't know. Some songs already start bore me at 1:50, due the seemingly endless repeats etc. I'm thinking of Friend in London's New Tomorrow. You know, the song that barely had any lyrics and in which the chorus was just repeated eternally.

And a maximum of 3 minutes of 20 seconds or so . Countries should be free to send entries between 2:50 and 3:20, that's my proposal.

 

[Impressive]

Nah, I think it's OK. At a push I think limit could be extended by 30 seconds but that's it, it is a TV show after all.

I will always say though that they should (and need to) change the max 6 persons on stage rule. I honestly think more dancers or band members (as part of a "live" band) would give more dynamic on stage.

At second part, about 6 people rule one, I completely agree with you. But this is not true place to discuss about.

And about that rule... So what, if it is a TV show? Limit should be keep that way only because of this is just a TV show? This is art, the music. Music is the way connect to soul, to feelings. Such a three minutes rule just restricts the way freedom. How can you call anything art without freedom, with restict? Like Mozz said, entries should be free to send between 2:50 and 3:20 is nice method, too. But this is very wrong way to keep show's time limit to me.

 

[Jim]

I think the limit will be better 3:30 minutes.

 

[Mickey]

How can you call anything art without freedom, with restict?

Art has to cope with all sorts of restrictions. Playwrights are limited to what they can physically do in terms of staging. Film directors have to cut down their films for commercial release and limit swearing, sex and violence to get the right certification. Comedians may be limited to a ten-minute set. A good artist needs to be creative within the boundaries they are given.

 

[alca]

No. I think 3 minutes are enough. On the other hand my favourites songs "end too fast". xD \
3:30 would be ok I guess but imagine having songs like San Marino 2012, Montenegro 2012 and Georgia 2012 playing for that long!

But two examples come to my head right now. I'd definitely want the full version Romania 2012! And Hungary 2011 coz there was no second verse. They went straight to the bridge after the first chorus...

 

[Impressive]

I'd definitely want the full version Romania 2012! And Hungary 2011 coz there was no second verse.

Doesn't Hungary 2011?

 

[alca]

Doesn't Hungary 2011?

I mean the ESC version.

 

[Yamarus]

I actually believe one of the reasons ESC songs tend to be so bad and forgetable is the 3 minute rule. Look at the vast majority of popular pop songs, almost none of them are so short. Of course I'm not saying length is the only reason for a song's success, but I think it influences quality more than one would think.

In the Sixties, pop songs were much shorter (2:30-3min) but not anymore.

 

[MyHeartIsYours]

I think the rule should be increased to 4 minutes.

 

[Matt]

Art has to cope with all sorts of restrictions. Playwrights are limited to what they can physically do in terms of staging. Film directors have to cut down their films for commercial release and limit swearing, sex and violence to get the right certification. Comedians may be limited to a ten-minute set. A good artist needs to be creative within the boundaries they are given.

I agree.

We need to look at this from the perspective of the casual viewer and the broadcaster.

Listening to 25 songs a night is already pushing the attention span for most viewers, adding 30 seconds to each song would be a significant increase and making a show that is already over 3 hours long even longer just seems unreasonable. Yes, ESC fans like us would LOVE this change but we are in the minority. And they have to work within thoseparameters, as Mickey said it's common procedure in the entertainment industry. Making the show even longer may also rub broadcasters the wrong way as they already are allocating a big chunk of time to this event.

 

[Terence]

4 minutes may be too long... 3.30 is reasonable enough though some songs are already repetitive themselves in just 3 minutes, so an extra half a minute would make them sound even more boring!

I remember France 2002 was well over the 3 minutes limit and so the final version sounded so weird back then!

I don't know, but all in all I'd say it should stay as it is, so that crap lasts shorter!!

 

[Impressive]

Art has to cope with all sorts of restrictions. Playwrights are limited to what they can physically do in terms of staging. Film directors have to cut down their films for commercial release and limit swearing, sex and violence to get the right certification. Comedians may be limited to a ten-minute set. A good artist needs to be creative within the boundaries they are given.

But this is about being succesful artist, not making art, isn't it?
If 200 min longer movie could cut into 120 mins, this is director's success. But this is not "making art".

 

[Quent91]

they should allow songs to last between 2:45 and 3:30