So unless you have been living under a rock these past few weeks, I'm sure you've heard about the Hollywood writers strike. Not to be left behind, Broadway stagehands have also been striking, causing many NYC theaters to remain dark for over a week.
Now, let's use this as an opportunity to combine two of my favorite things: Musicals and Social Media.
One of the things that I love about social media is that it is such a humanizing force. Does this idea ring a familiar bell? This strike is all about giving the writers / stagehands what they deserve. (Isn't that what every strike really is about?)
Personally, I think the writers have an interesting perspective in their demands. Because so many TV networks have begun to put their content online, by using on-demand websites, even YouTube or buying episodes with iTunes, now people can go directly to those sites and seek out what they want.
And as a active consumer, I love that!
But, for all these online views and sold content on iTunes, the writers are getting nothing... Sounds to me like they are getting screwed.
No wonder they are on strike!
This whole situation really makes me think about user generated content -- I mean, it seems like the networks are happy to increase their viewers, and they are successfully doing just that -- It started with ABC, but now almost every network needs to put episodes online to compete. But remember, these shows would be nothing without the writers! An actor can only be funny when he has good lines to recite.
They must find a way to compensate the writers.
Things can not continue as they have in the past. Look around, things are changing and TV needs to follow in this crazy, mixed-up world!
I really thought about a way to connect the Broadway strike and New Media. After a few minutes it hit me: Both the strike and the Internet give power to the people. Blogs are the perfect tool for people to use empower themselves.
I've taken a look at the blogosphere and it seems that Broadway actors, stagehands and even fans are using blogs to make their voices heard. This is just one of the many reasons I LOVE blogs. It's been very cool to check these out and hear what everyone is saying about this situation and what it means both for theater-goers and shows themselves.
So please get out there, (especially if you live in NYC), and continue to support the arts, restaurants and other local businesses being hit hard by this strike.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Monday, November 5, 2007
Oprah expands her empire with Youtube.
Oprah Winfrey is on the cutting edge.
Say what you want about this outspoken, philanthropic, and can I mention wealthy woman; she is one smart lady. Although she certainly has hit bumps in the road, everything she touches turns to gold. She knows how to handle her life in the public eye and now is one of the first celebrities to really dive into this new social media world. Sure Rosie has been blogging since 2004, and Obama is on Twitter -- watch out world, OPRAH is on Youtube!
Cultural critic, Richie Hofmann raves "I wouldn't expect anything less from Oprah... she's so media savvy. That's why she's the queen of all media"
* My friend Richie has been itching to say something on here. A guest post will be in the works.
But the thing is, Richie is right. If there's one Celebrity that is willing to take the chance to present themselves on youtube, its Oprah. This is what social media is all about, after all. It's finding a different channel for Oprah to spread her messages. Instead of having to go through her website for exclusive info, its all being broadcast right on youtube. Already her one little 2 minute clip has over 397,842 views.
Totally interesting stuff...
Cant wait to see who follows in Oprah's footsteps.
Say what you want about this outspoken, philanthropic, and can I mention wealthy woman; she is one smart lady. Although she certainly has hit bumps in the road, everything she touches turns to gold. She knows how to handle her life in the public eye and now is one of the first celebrities to really dive into this new social media world. Sure Rosie has been blogging since 2004, and Obama is on Twitter -- watch out world, OPRAH is on Youtube!
Cultural critic, Richie Hofmann raves "I wouldn't expect anything less from Oprah... she's so media savvy. That's why she's the queen of all media"
* My friend Richie has been itching to say something on here. A guest post will be in the works.
But the thing is, Richie is right. If there's one Celebrity that is willing to take the chance to present themselves on youtube, its Oprah. This is what social media is all about, after all. It's finding a different channel for Oprah to spread her messages. Instead of having to go through her website for exclusive info, its all being broadcast right on youtube. Already her one little 2 minute clip has over 397,842 views.
Totally interesting stuff...
Cant wait to see who follows in Oprah's footsteps.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Social Media VS Reality TV
I believe I twittered upon this idea and it really caught me off guard.
Todd Defren wrote "Is there any connection between Social Media (power to the people) & Reality TV (people as stars)? Why do I hope *not*?"
and the thing is.. I'm afraid they are somehow connected.
Now, I don't necessarily think that these two concepts are related, there are just some incredibly similar characteristics, that have similarly really shaken up the TV and PR industries.
1. Humanizing factor -- Lets be honest. What we all love about the Real World, Survivor, and American Idol is the fact that we can relate to each "character" because they are real people. We can feel their emotions and we have an easy time developing relationships with them (it only takes a few weeks with AI). It's funny that with social media, people are representing companies, instead of being hidden behind a curtain, as though their identity is a big secret. For that reason, so many major corporations have been forced to come clean, and we now identify faces and names with companies. This idea was strikingly clear at PodCamp, an event that felt so human and welcoming, where relationships were made in the middle of a hallway before a session.
2. Cheap Cheap Cheap.
Although reality TV can certainly be seen as an inexpensive way to have a hit TV show, I'm gonna have to argue that social media is NOT a cheap way out for PR people. One of the most important things about social media, is that its so new. Becasue of that reason, so many PR people have to learn about this interesting, new way of doing things. And although reality TV can be an easy way out for TV channels (no script, no acting, no set etc.) social media is NOT an easy way out for PR people becasue its time consuming and needs to be well thoughtout.
3. Were Making Real People Important!
enough said.
(or in the case of Dancing With the Stars, it can reinvent a career)cough Marie Osmond cough
What can we learn from this? Well that's an interesting question if I say so myself!
How about... PR PPl -- Don't go overboard or at least let's not try to! Althogh social media is great, which it is, we have to make sure we don't end up with anything that resembles temptation island.
Todd Defren wrote "Is there any connection between Social Media (power to the people) & Reality TV (people as stars)? Why do I hope *not*?"
and the thing is.. I'm afraid they are somehow connected.
Now, I don't necessarily think that these two concepts are related, there are just some incredibly similar characteristics, that have similarly really shaken up the TV and PR industries.
1. Humanizing factor -- Lets be honest. What we all love about the Real World, Survivor, and American Idol is the fact that we can relate to each "character" because they are real people. We can feel their emotions and we have an easy time developing relationships with them (it only takes a few weeks with AI). It's funny that with social media, people are representing companies, instead of being hidden behind a curtain, as though their identity is a big secret. For that reason, so many major corporations have been forced to come clean, and we now identify faces and names with companies. This idea was strikingly clear at PodCamp, an event that felt so human and welcoming, where relationships were made in the middle of a hallway before a session.
2. Cheap Cheap Cheap.
Although reality TV can certainly be seen as an inexpensive way to have a hit TV show, I'm gonna have to argue that social media is NOT a cheap way out for PR people. One of the most important things about social media, is that its so new. Becasue of that reason, so many PR people have to learn about this interesting, new way of doing things. And although reality TV can be an easy way out for TV channels (no script, no acting, no set etc.) social media is NOT an easy way out for PR people becasue its time consuming and needs to be well thoughtout.
3. Were Making Real People Important!
enough said.
(or in the case of Dancing With the Stars, it can reinvent a career)cough Marie Osmond cough
What can we learn from this? Well that's an interesting question if I say so myself!
How about... PR PPl -- Don't go overboard or at least let's not try to! Althogh social media is great, which it is, we have to make sure we don't end up with anything that resembles temptation island.
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