I just watched a teacher's meeting in the Project Fame Academy and thought I'd share a few bits and pieces after the first day of the show.
The Cape Argus gave the show little support and said: "The lighting was dreadful, the sound dodgy, and footage of cars filled with contestants crossing the Nelson Mandela Bridge in Johannesburg was 'live' - even though the TV showed us night time when it was still daytime."
It's not surprising. The problem with the show creating an impression of the press they want is that they're defining who the South African press are and taking ownership of it, when it doesn't belong to them. This means press that doesn't see itself as fitting the shows' requirements is gonna be very unforgiving when cars are shown driving 'live' during the night when it's day.
I'm certain journalists from The Argus wouldn't have stood outside the Fame Academy and screamed, because that's not what their publication is about. But the show is implying it is, because The Argus is the 'press'. And I suppose every 12-year old who watches Project Fame will believe this is really what the press is.
I have spent the day thinking about this because I think it's all very interesting. The biggest criticism about Project Fame is that it's so fake, yet in a really roundabout way - work with me here - in this instance I'd say it's a good thing that it's so fake, because so is the ownership the show's suggesting. It reveals very clearly that the entire thing is a stage simulation. This does not mean that the show must be so fake that it has nothing real. Luckily for Project Fame it does have real people who are interested and it has it's contestants.
I watched the teacher's discussion at the end of day one and they were all quite relaxed - not as overdone as they were on the weekly show - and then they started talking about their own lives and I got sooo irritated with Fiona Ramsay, because they were speaking about time and she said something about being more flexible and having more time once her theatre show in Grahamstown was over.
The reason I was irritated is because I've got deep issues with theatre people who say this sort of thing, because it implies they've got better places to be and want everyone to know it.
I didn't hear much from the other teachers except the principal, who possibly lacks a spark. I think the teachers can assist with taking the show to a more real place. I think they need to act less, up the maturity level of their interactions (particularly when speaking to us) and get a bit more ... gritty. They'll still be in control.
That's all. Thoughts right now. Got nothing more to waffle on about. Just had to tell you. Gonna switch over and see what they're up to ... *switches over* ... They're in the recording studio and singing In The Arms Of An Angel.
Thoughts please.
Show: Project Fame
Channel: Mnet
Day: Mon-Sat
Time: 20h00
Day: Sundays
Time: 17h00
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