After our discussion
on Monday, focusing on our self-practise, we began to delve into the use of web
2.0 and social media and the impact of it on arts practises, the ethics around
social media. This included, image, consent, representation, cultural
differences, gender, sexual orientation, race. This spiked up a huge
discussion, not only with the group but a conversation I started to have with
myself.
Social Media
We began with
discussing the impact social media has had on the industry. As I mentioned in
my previous post, I can see many positives of social media and many negatives.
Over the years, I have noticed a huge demand to be a part of social media,
particularly if you are in the arts. I remember when I first started auditioning
three years ago, I never really bothered with social media. I had it, but only
to connect with my friends. I would attend face to face auditions for jobs, but
I soon noticed job castings were beginning to demand a link to your YouTube
Showreel and Instagram handle. This information would then determine if you were
hired, or not. The Showreel I understood, but the Instagram handle? When
did how many followers you have matter in comparison to how well you could
fulfil the role? Sadly, this is the case today. Let us just take moment to look
back at our favourite love to hate show, Love island. We could argue Love
Island kickstarted this superficial need for followers, creating this
influencing obsessed world, in which, if you are not a blue tick, or in your 1000's
of followers, who even are you?! You could also argue, what happened to having
just talent...Yes, this is the world we live in now. We could also argue that
social media is the culprit for many young performers suffering from mental
health issues. That consuming feeling like you do not measure up to the model
or dancer in the video or photo. Even if you know its edited. We have all heard
the cases.
So, what does social
media give you? Well I would be a hypocrite to be totally against it if I am an
avid user. Despite the negatives, it is still that, free marketing platform
that can help you to network with many other artists, and find potential jobs,
just from posting a video/ photo. I have used web 2.0 and social media to land
many a job. I was even scouted from my modelling agency on Instagram. I use
performing arts platforms to help me to find auditions and connect with
directors and choreographers. If it were not for social media and web 2.0,
would I have had all these opportunities I have been so fortunate to have? It
is a tough one.
Thank you guys, feel free to share your thoughts :)
Hi Gabrielle, great post! I have done a post about my thoughts on social media and the industry so feel free to take a look!
ReplyDeletehttps://roanneec.blogspot.com/2020/09/anti-social-media.html
I agree that there are many positives and it can be really beneficial for networking but the negative impact of reality TV and the influencer culture is not something that can be ignored - mental health issues, eating disorders, social pressures, increasingly young exposure etc etc. It's ever-changing but never seems to really be in balance x
Thank you I shall definitely take a look :)
DeleteHi Gabrielle, I really like this post, really interesting what you were saying about how are 'followers' relevant to casting the job. I find it baffling too. It reminds me of the increasing trend of casting winners of talent shows which I won't name in musical theatre roles. They 'put bums on seats' but 99% of the time are in no other way the best person for the role, talent wise. Maybe this is a similar thing with Instagram followers? But does the performance suffer as a result?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! I remember watching Ghost the musical and walking out and thinking, "wow did they really just do that to a classic". Let's just say it didn't receive rave reviews. I definitely think the performance suffers, but you see this is where we are going now with a lot of the industry. If you even look at modelling for example, Boohoo, Missguided, Prettylittlething. Companies like these used to hire models now they hire 'influencers', which A puts models out of work and B creates a job for someone who may not even be skilled or experienced in that industry. The argument is that it gives more "normal women a chance to model" but does it? If you look at the influencers they use, I certainly would classify them as your typical normal women, at least not the way Instagram perceives them to be. x
DeleteHi Gabrielle! I agree with what you said about how social media has helped with promoting yourself- as I also do the same to contact photographers to bulid up portfolios and to apply for auditions. In this way social media is vital so far for the ability to network effectively. I agree that you landing a job shouldn't be dependent on your social media presence and number of followers. I feel like casting directors or employers could be missing out on talent because the world has transformed into a digital one that only shows one side of a persons life, which is commonly detrimental to a persons mental health.
ReplyDeleteHugely, definitely have seen a rise in mental health cases as we become a more superficial obsessed industry. :)
DeleteHi Gabrielle,
ReplyDeleteWow it really is tough isn't, and it's definitely not a clear cut black or white...I think like everything it's about moderation and balance. There is no doubt that we have all massively benefited from the surge of Social Media and Web 2.0 in this industry, but on the other hand it has in itself been a bit like shooting ourselves in the foot. As in an already competitive business with too many people for the amount of jobs available , we have created a direct rival.
So much reality stuff CANNOT be good and so much time spent staring at our phones cannot be good either. But can any of it be reversed? And would there be enough people who want to reverse it to make it happen? My mind boggles. X