Wednesday Morning Soapbox

Wednesday Morning Soapbox

I’ve decided to jump on the soapbox here on a Wednesday morning…so turn away if you don’t want to look, this is all inside baseball type of stuff!

Last week a story popped up online that led a website to criticize others for their work with publicists. They implied that people can’t be impartial when dealing with publicists and that’s why they NEVER deal with Studio Publicists, Don’t Do Set Visits, and NEVER do Junkets.

Let me give you my take, since that’s why you’re here.

Publicists have a couple of jobs to do.

1) They have to disseminate information and opportunities to the press they are responsible for in a reasonable time frame.

2) They have to follow up and make sure that the press have taken advantage of opportunities and see what thoughts they may have on the film(s).

3) They try to keep an open dialogue with the press member and yes, even sometimes try to spin the positive in an otherwise bad movie. (They are not all given only GOOD movies to promote; though I’m sure that would make their lives easier.)

If you are trying to get ahead in this business you need to work with publicists. Very few of us are independently wealthy enough to cover things with our own resources at every turn (unless of course, I hit the next Mega Millions jackpot). AND very few of us have the opportunity to call up a celebrity on a whim, we need someone to be there as our advocate for our website, TV appearance, radio interview or print piece. Enter the studio publicists, who for the most part do an outstanding job of getting us connected, no more, no less.

I as an individual critic building my own business, with NO financial backing have needed publicists and they have come through for me in a big way. I appreciate the tact and the approach that all of them have taken.

I’ve never been asked to change anything I’ve put out there, never been asked to soften a blow, or basically shill for a studio.

I HAVE been asked for my comments after the movie is over, and I’ve only provided comments when I’ve felt the urge to do so. Never have I given a comment or “quote” after a film that I didn’t truly enjoy.

I also have never been to a junket, though if I DID go on one, I would like to believe I could offer a FAIR review of the movie, PLUS some FUN content that would skew positive to the talent. Just because you don’t like a movie, doesn’t mean you don’t like the people who WORKED on the movie.

As an individual without any real backing behind me (sure I appear on a TV station, Radio Stations, and Print Vehicles – but always as “The Common Guy” or Paul Hall) I have always given my true feelings on everything. (and of course sometimes that flies in the face of popular views).

I NEED to stay on good terms with the studios. I don’t put any review material up before a studio asks, and I haven’t for the last 15 years or so that I’ve been doing this. (that’s my choice – to abide by the rules, even if it costs me viewers/jobs)

I won’t criticize my colleagues for what they are doing/not doing – they make the same choices that I do, and some of them can afford to get under people’s skin.

The fact of the matter is, I was somewhat disheartened to see the site that was getting jabbed on this called on the carpet. It’s a site I regularly visit, and enjoy…and nothing has changed in my opinion of the hard working staff there.

The site doing the jabbing, I had honestly not heard of. Maybe I’m not tight enough on the circuits…being based in the Midwest. But it seemed like a grab for attention. If they are truly doing this without ever talking to a studio publicist (whether it’s arranging an interview or getting them into a screening, or even just saving a seat at a screening…hey more power to them) but I don’t think that affords the best coverage possible for their readers.

I believe that you CAN be honest in your coverage and be nice to the studio. I have in fact ran a contest that included prizes for a film I disliked and it made my worst 10 that year. It’s simple – the contest runs WITHOUT any EDITORIALIZING. The review is pure EDITORIALIZING.

Anyway – I’ve rambled way too long on this topic. If people can’t separate the Editorial part of their content from the “puffy” part of their content, I think they are missing the mark on what they are doing.

For me, thanks to the publicists…you’ve been fair to me over the years, and I hope I’ve been fair to you and your job!

Thanks for reading this little commentary – back to your regularly scheduled movie goodness, and if you want to weigh in...feel free!