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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 23, 2016 7:58:13 GMT
What do you think of performers who have a very active presence on social media?Twitter in particular because it seems to crystallise everything that's both good and bad about SM.
Im not particularly active on it, I read more than I write on Twitter. I do follow a handful of performers and on the odd occasion that I've mentioned someone in a tweet it's a little bit of a buzz if they acknowledge/respond. I don't expect it though and in some ways I'd rather they didn't. What I do like is when I mention a show and the cast/creatives retweet it or say "thank you" or whatever. That seems a bit less personal or "in your face" but still allows nice/postitive messages to be shared. I wouldn't tweet a show to say I hated it, or to criticise performers. I've done a complete 360 on that kind of thing over the past few years. Just because you can doesn't mean you should.
What I AM a bit sick of is following people because I've admired their work and then being subjected to very political stuff from them. I've unfollowed lots of people for that. I'm not saying I want to exist in a land of pink unicorns but I'm not sure I'm up for performers using their twitter following to push their politics either. I'm no doubt VERY old fashioned!
What do you think?
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Post by anthony40 on Nov 23, 2016 8:22:33 GMT
I do follow a handful of performers and on the odd occasion that I've mentioned someone in a tweet it's a little bit of a buzz if they acknowledge/respond. I don't expect it though and in some ways I'd rather they didn't. What I do like is when I mention a show and the cast/creatives retweet it or say "thank you" or whatever. That seems a bit less personal or "in your face" but still allows nice/postitive messages to be shared. I wouldn't tweet a show to say I hated it, or to criticise performers. I've done a complete 360 on that kind of thing over the past few years. Just because you can doesn't mean you should. What I AM a bit sick of is following people because I've admired their work and then being subjected to very political stuff from them. I 100% agree. There is a Canadian singer that I follow (Steven Page, former front man/singer of The Barenaked Ladies- it seems most Brits are not familiar with him or the band) who flew into London with his family in the Summer who not only responded to one of my tweets directly (yay!) but through Twitter I realised he was doing a free impromptu acoustic gig in Regents Park- seriously in my top 5 of the best things that has ever happened to me since being here in London (up there with meeting Helena Bonham-Carter and Robbie)and I was on a high for about two weeks after. I also follow Darren Hayes, former front man of the Australian band Savage Garden and now solo artist. Love all his music, I really do, but on Twitter he doesn't half go on about his sexuality and ever since Trump won the race for the Presidency he consistently tweets about not only Trump but how as a homosexual he and other are being wronged, etc. I'm not American, or in America and he may very well be right however, give a reader a break! |
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Post by DuchessConstance on Nov 23, 2016 8:29:28 GMT
I hate it when performers only use Twitter to promote their upcoming appearances and RT praise. I understand why they do it but it's so impersonal and comes across kinda vain.
I quite like the political stuff. I follow Bertie Carvel and Michael Sheen mainly for their political tweets.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2016 8:54:37 GMT
I follow Bertie Carvel for his hilariously random 2am drunk tweeting sprees!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2016 9:04:16 GMT
I follow my favourite performers (and other creatives) on Twitter in order to get a better idea of who they are as people and their personalities. Like DuchessConstance says, those who only use it to promote are rather disappointing. I don't mind the political tweets as I find it interesting hearing their opinions and to be fair, I've yet to follow someone famous/well known on Twitter whose political views haven't aligned with my own.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2016 9:28:36 GMT
I find actors on Twitter a bit hit and miss. Some of them are really charming, some of them are duller than paint. Some of them are ridiculously impersonal, just constant RTing and promoting, and some of them never promote themselves AT ALL, which is surprisingly aggravating. I always worry that I might go off an actor too much to enjoy their performances if they come across as too much of an idiot on Twitter, and I have unfollowed people before now for that very reason. I don't mind the political stuff though, it's important to engage with the world around you, and trying to ignore politics all together is kinda naive. Sam West is a good example of someone who balances all the things I like to see in an actorly Twitter account, whereas Ricky Gervais is a perfect example of a TERRIBLE Twitter account. I have no idea why anyone would follow him in the first place, it's NOTHING but self-promotion.
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Post by talkstageytome on Nov 23, 2016 9:59:35 GMT
I personally think performers can and should use their twitter accounts in the same way as everyone else. I don't mind seeing their personal tweets or tweets about politics. If it's going to be the same stuff all the time then yeah, it might get a bit grating, but that goes for anyone really, not just performers. It's nice to see a bit of the personality of your favourite performer, that's what I like most about twitter really!  |
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Post by 49thand8th on Nov 23, 2016 15:16:38 GMT
Being a performer doesn't 100% define you. And neither does being a politician. Sometimes both tweet about fields they're not in (hey, my sports team did this and I'm happy, etc). So why should one person stick to just one thing that they're known for?
I HATE IT when 99% of a performer's tweets are about their career. I like you, but I don't need to see retweets of every review or mention you get in the press, or quote-tweet thank you replies to fans. I want to see pictures of your garden, your cat, funny stories about how you fell on the stairs but you're okay now, your newborn niece you're so excited about, and within that... politics is fine too!
I like to know that people whose professional lives I enjoy are people.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2016 18:35:54 GMT
I love seeing performers in social media. 80% of the people I follow on twitter are musical theatre performers, producers or people related to the theatre industry.
However it can be horrible when performers get abuse. Take Sheridan Smith for example, no wonder she made her twitter private and now doesn't really use it at all but she uses her instagram more.
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Post by aksis on Nov 23, 2016 18:44:27 GMT
I enjoy seeing the person behind the performer a bit on twitter. If I find I do not agree with their personal opinions I unfollow them.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2016 20:41:37 GMT
I really like it when performers use their Twitter accounts like normal people - I'm interested in what people think and what their dog looks like in a bow tie, and things make them angry or happy or whatever. I don't always agree with political opinions, but I like seeing them as it rounds them out as a real person. The ones who only RT praise and/or only talk about their work are ones who I either don't follow in the first place or end up unfollowing pretty quickly.
My favourite twitter actors at the moment are Debbie Kurup and Alex Young who were both fab in Anything Goes in Sheffield a couple of years ago. I tweeted thanks to them after the show and they responded and we had nice conversations, and they're both interesting to follow. There's also an actor I really like, Youssef Kerkour, who I started following after liking his performance in an understudy run at the RSC, and he's interacted lots of times on twitter. I met him once after he was in The Nap, and he recognised me from my Twitter pic, which was a bit freaky.
I think Twitter's brilliant for things like that. It does give you a buzz to come out of a show, tweet to someone who was fab, and then have them acknowledge you, often straight after the show. It feels like you've thanked them directly, and I like it.
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Post by longinthetooth on Nov 23, 2016 21:10:45 GMT
I like following performers on Twitter, too, obviously some more than others. Some are more chatty (and funnier) than others. However, I do object to their political opinions being rammed down my throat. By all means voice them (it's a free country), but some of them keep on and on and on - I mean, I'm not going to change my views because a certain celeb keeps banging on about why I should vote for A or B. I admit I used the 'mute' button, or unfollowed them, until the voting or whatever was over.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2016 21:18:23 GMT
I've unfollowed Debra Messing because of her politicalky oriented posts, many against Bernie Sanders, during the Democratic primaries.
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Post by 49thand8th on Nov 23, 2016 23:30:12 GMT
I love seeing performers in social media. 80% of the people I follow on twitter are musical theatre performers, producers or people related to the theatre industry. Keeping lists is really helpful with stuff like this (not that it applies to you, necessarily, but your reply reminded me), and it keeps one from being too overwhelmed by their timeline. I don't follow every actor whose performances/social media presences I enjoy, but I do have a handful of private lists that I keep as columns in tweetdeck -- this way I don't have to follow everyone, but can look at that list from time to time. It's good for keeping track of food trucks, media outlets, sports teams/fans, etc. as well. |
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Post by Jon on Nov 24, 2016 3:55:55 GMT
I like following performers on Twitter, too, obviously some more than others. Some are more chatty (and funnier) than others. However, I do object to their political opinions being rammed down my throat. By all means voice them (it's a free country), but some of them keep on and on and on - I mean, I'm not going to change my views because a certain celeb keeps banging on about why I should vote for A or B. I admit I used the 'mute' button, or unfollowed them, until the voting or whatever was over. Mute is very useful as well as turning off retweets. Not related to celebrities or performers but I cannot stand people who use Twitter to complain to companies or about trivial things, it's okay once or twice but I'm seriously not interested about your delayed train journey. |
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Post by Stasia on Nov 25, 2016 9:51:27 GMT
I think, twitter is just as real life. And real life has delayed trains, rumblings on politics, trunk talks with friends, complements for a job nicely done, life of your partners and kids and pets... Some people are more open about these things, some do share only parts of these. Those who think that actors/celebrities "have" to share there personal staff or owe to hide it from them, are both wrong. Like, nothing is rammed down your throat unless you are not following this person? If you don't like the messaging, then press unfollow  And let people be themselves in the way they want to communicate with the world. Luckily twitter with its muting and blocking functions gives you plenty of opportunities to keep away from people you don't like. And I do think that one should not follow actors on twitter if you only admire their work but don't want read their views on delayed traffic and elections and new episode of the Bake Off... |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2016 10:10:21 GMT
I got blocked by the official twitter account of 1980s pop act Shalamar for mentioning that they were famous in the 1980s. Which seems an odd approach for the revived act (featuring one official member) to take when developing a fan base.
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Post by DuchessConstance on Nov 25, 2016 11:47:18 GMT
I think, twitter is just as real life. And real life has delayed trains, rumblings on politics, trunk talks with friends, complements for a job nicely done, life of your partners and kids and pets... Some people are more open about these things, some do share only parts of these. Those who think that actors/celebrities "have" to share there personal staff or owe to hide it from them, are both wrong. Like, nothing is rammed down your throat unless you are not following this person? If you don't like the messaging, then press unfollow And let people be themselves in the way they want to communicate with the world. Luckily twitter with its muting and blocking functions gives you plenty of opportunities to keep away from people you don't like. And I do think that one should not follow actors on twitter if you only admire their work but don't want read their views on delayed traffic and elections and new episode of the Bake Off... Jamie Parker's ongoing war against Southwest Trains was an absolute gem. |
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Post by 49thand8th on Nov 25, 2016 21:00:58 GMT
Living in the same neighborhood as many Broadway and Broadway-adjacent people (photographers, writers, social media teams, etc) has honestly helped my commute a few times. I start work at 10 when most start around 8:30 or 9, and if they're tweeting about subway delays on our line, I get ready a little faster in the morning!
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Post by Jon on Nov 25, 2016 21:04:22 GMT
I think, twitter is just as real life. And real life has delayed trains, rumblings on politics, trunk talks with friends, complements for a job nicely done, life of your partners and kids and pets... Some people are more open about these things, some do share only parts of these. Those who think that actors/celebrities "have" to share there personal staff or owe to hide it from them, are both wrong. Like, nothing is rammed down your throat unless you are not following this person? If you don't like the messaging, then press unfollow And let people be themselves in the way they want to communicate with the world. Luckily twitter with its muting and blocking functions gives you plenty of opportunities to keep away from people you don't like. And I do think that one should not follow actors on twitter if you only admire their work but don't want read their views on delayed traffic and elections and new episode of the Bake Off... I agree to an extent, I do think if you're just using your Twitter handle to complain to companies rather than maybe e-mailing or calling then it's pointless, likewise with self promotion. It's all about balance. |
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Post by Sue on Nov 25, 2016 23:08:38 GMT
I got blocked by the official twitter account of 1980s pop act Shalamar for mentioning that they were famous in the 1980s. Which seems an odd approach for the revived act (featuring one official member) to take when developing a fan base. Loved and still love Shalamar! |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2016 9:37:17 GMT
Loved and still love Shalamar! Well I'm afraid that probably makes you the wrong sort of fan and Jody Watley will probably block you too They were on the Top of the Pops repeat the other night, someone on my twitter timeline said something like "nice to see Shalamar on TOTP" and tagged the members of the band and @srl_Official which is Shalamar's twitter account. She got immediately blocked by the Shalamar account! I then experimented by saying "So @srl_Official don't like people to mention they existed in the 1980s" and got blocked too. The other person then got into a flame war with Jody Watley who accused her of trying to "put on blast" (we had to look that up ) Turns out the reason for all this is that Jody Watley and two new guys are "Shalamar Reloaded", the two original guys and a new woman singer are touring the UK performing Shalamar hits, and there is some dispute over the rights to the name. Have a look at this thread on twitter ... Compare and contrast with the lovely Mari Wilson who was on last night's show, and was chatting with people on twitter about it from her dressing room before going on stage in Cardiff. |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Nov 26, 2016 13:54:07 GMT
^^^ Bucks Fizz all over again.
Or "The Former Members of Buck Fizz" or whatever name three of them tour under these days.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2016 14:24:18 GMT
I hope I have picked the right side in the great Shalamar war of 2016
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Post by foxa on Nov 26, 2016 15:03:57 GMT
Yeah, funny who you are drawn to on Twitter. If I think someone will make me laugh, that's a big plus (an exchange between Richard Osman and Caitlin Moran made me laugh out loud today.) I follow Eddie Marsan and Robert Webb, both of whom I like as actors, but who I follow because I find them really bright and interesting (and we have similar politics.) I follow a few playwrights - really like Lucy Prebble and Bonnie Greer (if you don't like politics don't follow them, especially Bonnie, but I respect them both.) If it is just self-promotion or if they post too much then I unfollow. Cynthia Ervio posts a lot - and sometimes gives a long time responding to people who are being vile - which I understand - but it can be a bit depressing. I also follow some artists - they can be really interesting and post some beautiful images.
The bad thing about twitter is that it can be a bit addictive and it can give you a false sense of intimacy ('So and so 'liked' my tweet, so obviously we're besties!') Also you'll sometimes get some nutty stuff coming up - someone just being furious about something innocuous and you think, 'Ach - should I untangle this or just let them rant on?' (I got some outraged responses to a positive Ed Balls tweet: 'Don't you know that in 1986 he voted for....' that kind of thing.) But it is good for quick breaking news and gossip - and sometimes quickly gathering ideas that might challenge your own.
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And let people be themselves in the way they want to communicate with the world. Luckily twitter with its muting and blocking functions gives you plenty of opportunities to keep away from people you don't like.