Universal vs Online Movie Journalists
As you can probably tell, I’m generally a big fan of blogs; I find both the immediacy and honesty of amateur online journalism (as much as you can call it “journalism” anyway) refreshing. However, I’m also not blind to the fact that bloggers can be a real pain in the ass sometimes. Case in point: at some recent press junkets (including ones for Casino Royale and The Good Shepherd), certain stars have become increasingly annoyed by online writers asking them for autographs, snapping multiple photos with their cell phone cameras, and just generally hounding them as if they were groupies or fans. Which, I think brings us to the heart of the problem — that’s exactly what a lot of these online writers are… a bunch of fanboys.
Now I’m not claiming to be any better than these writers (heck, I’m not even close to being important enough to be invited to junkets), and I’m definitely not saying that all online journalists fall into this category. But I think there’s a huge difference that exists between amateur bloggers and professional journalists who are making this their career. The enthusiasm that bloggers possess is both a blessing and a curse, because it makes their writing more vital, but it also leads to petty and unprofessional behaviour. So now Universal has issued a statement warning online publications to clean up their act from here on in, or else risk having their “online coverage limited even more”. What do you think, are the stars just being stuck up whiners here, or do they have a right to request interviewers who aren’t drooling, stuttering fanboys?
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Comments (2)
They have the right, and they are right, but it won’t help.
Not talking to tabloid’s hasn’t helped any star. The paparazzi hasn’t stopped for that reason. This is the same phenomenon. In order to obtain succes you have to draw in the lowest common denominator, which pretty much leaves out anybody with the combination of intelligence and self-respect that Universal (and alot of other people) is hoping for.
Posted by Henrik on December 13th, 2006I think they sort of have a point. I can see where they’re coming from but at the same time, if these online publications are getting enough attention to garner invites to junkets, then they should really have some amount of self control. I mean, I can see someone, even the most professional of reporters, having a picture taken or an autograph signed by a favourite star but I think the problem may be how these people are approaching stars. There’s a level of professionalism involved in that too.
I’d like to say that the stars really need to just step back and be happy that anyone cares about them but, at the same time, I can see how that would get annoying.
On another point, WTF does universal mean by “online coverage limited even moreâ€Â? Sure, a select few who are considered worthy go to these junkets but if they stopped getting invites, would the online movie news stop? Probably not. Universal is kidding themselves if they think they can stop the power of the internet.
Posted by Marina on December 13th, 2006Leave a Reply