Widescreen Advocate is an invaluable information resource for those who want to be involved in a grassroots education effort to spread the word that widescreen/OAR is the only proper way to watch movies at home.
During the transition from VHS to DVD, this community fought to stop "Pan & Scan" from permanently cropping the artist's original vision to fit square televisions. We won that war. But today, a new threat has emerged: The 16x9 Digital Crop. Streaming platforms and networks are once again cropping 2.39:1 "Scope" films to fill modern 1.78:1 flat screens.
The heart of our mission is education and action. We provide the historical data, modern tools, and community context to ensure cinema remains theater-like, even in your living room.
- Explore our updated What is Widescreen? section to use our interactive visualizer and see the devastating effects of a 16x9 crop for yourself.
- Visit our new OAR Watchdog to track modern films that are being cropped on streaming platforms, and submit crops you find in the wild.
- Use our Action Directory to let the streaming platforms and studios know exactly how you feel about the format.
- Check our News section to keep track of the latest happenings on the widescreen front.
- Visit our Download Section to access our original "Why Widescreen?" campaign materials for historical preservation and physical distribution.
We've got it all here for you, so use our resources, report crops to the Watchdog, and spread the word that WIDER IS BETTER!
If you are interested in contributing to the cause in any way please contact us.