I recently went to watch a show at the Joburg Theatre and to my surprise found myself viewing it from seat number CG 41…that is as bad as watching from the parking space. There is nothing upsetting to me as being seated in the balcony, side(s) or front seats during a theatre performance. If you don’t have an available centre middle row seat for me, then don’t invite me, spare me for another night or performance.
So as I was sitting there trying to watch as I did not have my binoculars (I didn’t expect to be so far from the stage), I realized how high the level of my critique was, not that I was distressed but, I felt I was very reciprocated, not biased at all. I wouldn’t seat there again, but I was very objective in my thinking which made my review a very good and reliable read. Not that, I am biased at times but, this time I got a chance to view the show from an audience perspective, especially those not fortunate enough to buy a purple, green or pink color ticket, for the audience that has gotten accustomed to the balcony.
At that point I started thinking of how many publicists suck up and make friends with journalists so as to have a good review. I went on to think about the HIGH class treatment that media personnel have gotten used to in order to speak lies about productions. How some journalists don’t even bother watching shows anymore, “as long as so and so is in it, then it has to be good. I’ll just show up at the opening ceremony”. Journalists should not be given high, special treatment because that’s not an experience of a “common” reader that will base his or her views on whether to watch a show from an article on the newspaper or television show or online.
I think publicists are losing the plot. Yes, they must have VIP sections for journalists, for interviews and networking but, this sucking up that happens, becoming friends and all these shady acts are slaughtering truthful reporting, therefore killing the arts which in turn kills journalism altogether.
South African theatre is very wobbly, everyone knows that but, it’s been ages since I read an article reporting on such an issue, based on a certain performance. Performers need to know where and how to change their artistic direction and that mainly come from journalistic critiquing and audience relation.
If publicists don’t change their approach, we’re definitely headed for a catastrophic disaster, both in the performing arts and journalism.
(By the ways, I wasn’t the only one in that balcony…just saying).
LOL kwaaaaaa SIya o dramatic, duude you being a diva "If you don’t have an available centre middle row seat for me, then don’t invite me, spare me for another night or performance"
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lebo, you're just being a diva chap. LOL'...
ReplyDeleteAs for the publicists-sucking up to Journos note: Siya, I think you should try and understand just how dynamic and cruel the media industry is.
Publicists depend on journos to get publicity for their clients, and Journos depend on publicists to get scoops about certain people (not in all cases, of course). Now, for this relationship to work, especially considering just how bad publicity is no longer good publicity these days, publicists need to keep journos happy to be reciprocated with good publicity. Otherwise, Journalists will trash your client or your reputation as a publicist.
Trust me on this, Journalist love being given attention and free bees, and publicists figured this out a long time ago.
Ok...I get all of that...But, my question is on the credibility of journalism.
ReplyDeleteRegardless of the media's cruelty, there still has to be distinction between truthful reporting and "favours"...Know what i mean?