No Choice: Twitter is the New Media Networking 'Man'

Some of You May Remember my old post about Twitter ruining television during an episode of Fringe and my hatred for a site that resembled an elaborate Facebook status that has celeb appeal. Well it seems after years of resisting this bird that looms over the media vein that is the internet it has finally pecked its way into my necessities, in the same way dirty cops force drug dealers to give them a cut in Superfly, twitter has made me cave in. I have an account.

It all started with Charlie Sheen, as most good stories do. His controversial and viral tigerblood internship got my opportunity clock ticking and I knew I would have to get the account if I wanted to be his media intern. So just like one in a million people, I gave it a shot.

Twitter is still not my favorite thing in the world, for me it is a networking necessity, a tool, not a means to communicate casually. For myself it is to find the media and film workers I have dreamed of working with, and follow them, keep in touch with how they network, and slowly but surely network with others in the same position as me. It is also a wonderful way to self promote, now another necessity. After Twitter has come into my life I realize posting links and videos on facebook is near useless when I could post them somewhere where potential employment interests are waiting to follow and get follow-backs. Posting shout outs to those looking for new artists and interesting online channels, blogs, and film makers makes getting viewers and fans very easy. All because of one little virtual blue bird.

I will admit I have made lists to help me keep in touch with friends and such, and it is fun to Tweet about how you liked the last film you watched, or how your film project is going, but you see? When it comes down to it, it's all about branding yourself for all to see and potentially take interest in. I hate to say it boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen.....If you are contemplating a job in media....Get Twitter!

Christian A.V. Petrozza

Kill The Bird: Tweeting and Texting Television Travesties

Ever since texting took flight in the cell phone universe it immediately jumped on a social text bar that was strapped on the bottom of every Much Music video full of teenagers posting random comments like 'I love ya Tina" or "Play Rick Astley! lol!" Now with the birth of a new social network God, Twitter decided to overblow their expanse from the internet to TV. Twitter has already done this during hit shows like Fringe and Glee. This idea was also exploited during the Michael Jackson Memorial.

Now I understand in comparison to music video text bars twitter posts relevant comments to the programming, but does anyone really give two tweets about 'Randoguy58's' concern about who will bring the moonwalk back. Many viewers shared horrified sentiments with the TV Tweet trend when it appeared on Fringe and Glee, and it was soon pulled. Like many who have blogged or commented, the Tweets were distracting to the audience despite the Tweets being from production crews and the actors.

This 'lower-third-social-information' impedes on the asthetics of watching and enjoying the romance, action, and suspense, let alone the suspension of disbelief of the shows we watch. I would hate to be watching Battlestar Galactica if Edward James Olmos had tweets popping up during an exciting spaceship battle.

This Twitter bird has also flown its way to IBM who has patent the Tweet remote, so people can ramble about watching television while watching television, this spelled a nightmare come true for many TV lovers who are afraid that it will encourage shows to have more live feeds on the show. Although IBM is working on this technology the annoyance with this idea may kill the Remote before it gets the green light.

Television has always given the comfort of escapism within the comfort of your own home, we do not need little tweets to interrupt our fantasies and pleasures.

Christian A.V. Petrozza

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