When did the media become the antichrist? Who was it that first came up with the concept of reporters being cut-throat-life-ruiners?
As a writer, it can be extremely difficult to get anyone to talk. It doesn't even seem to matter that the article won't go past the hands of my professor! For some reason, as soon as I mention that I am a member of the media... doors close, phones hang up, and people have "no comment."
No comment. Now that is something that really urks me. Just because you heard someone say it in the movies doesn't mean you should follow suit. Unless the subject could somehow destroy your reputation and by giving me 30 seconds of usable quotes you would be ending not only your life, but harming those directly connected to you. For the record, if that were the case.... I wouldn't come asking you about it!! I'm not actually out to get you!
My next favourite line is, "I don't do camera interviews." Why not? Because you're wanted in 20 states? You killed someone, buried the body and the cops are on to you? If that's the case, than okay. But I hear that line from so many people, people I happen to know have no criminal record.
The camera has almost become scarier than the dreaded media! Even when the camera is off, people see it set up on a tripod and automatically cover their faces! Yes, the video camera that I borrowed from the school is actually an FBI profiler and I am being paid under the table to record the goings-on of life at our fair college. It's all a government conspiracy.
Have you ever tried to film a group of children? They all turn, look straight at the camera, smiling, waving and saying things like, "Can I be on TV?" and "Hi Mom!" What happened to that? How come that desire to be involved in the media completely dissolves as people get older?
It's crazy. The level of paranoia in the world is incredible.
So here's the deal. It's COLLEGE. We're being trained here. Everyone is. How am I supposed to learn how to conduct interviews and focus on camera angles, microphone levels and asking proper questions when everyone is afraid of me? I don't run away from the culinary students when I see them with their knives. Because guess what? They need to carry the knives so that they can learn how to use them properly for their career. It's a crazy concept, I know.
Here's another even more bizarre idea. You know that newspaper you read? That magazine you subscribe to? The radio show you listen to? That TV show you watch to get all the updates about what's going on in the world? They're all brought to you by the media. All those scary cameras, microphones and pressing questions... well they are the tools that bring you all that incredible information. So next time you see a reporter coming.... especially a reporter in training.... give them a break. And give them a comment. Please.
