Red Carpets, Awards, Money, Fame and Adoration: Everyone dreams of having these things. Some people have achieved what many people dream about. Does anyone ever stop to think about the mental and emotional factors these put upon actors and the average entertainment consumer?
Earlier this month actresses Halle Berry and Jennifer Garner testified before a committee at the State Assembly in Sacramento to aide in the passing of a new anti- paparazzi law: SB 606. This law would increase jail time and financial penalties for photographers believed to be harassing children under the age of 16 and also facilitates obtaining restraining orders by the adults that need them.
Do you think that the paparazzi should be legally obligated to stay away from actors when they are with their children and use long range lenses to obtain photographs?
Source—————————————————
http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/aug/15/jennifer-garner-halle-berry-paparazzi-law
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Comic Relief
parisienne
littlebells
Lurker
ozzie20
Open Book
LIH
linkedinhollywood.com 
Paris,
U:”Does anyone ever stop to think about the mental and emotional factors these put upon actors and the average entertainment consumer?”
IMO consumers watching celebrities get stalked and harassed don’t realize the negative impact it can have on society as a whole. Meaning those who marginalize or get off on watching celebrities getting harassed and stalked is like endorsing kids getting harassed and stalked. Its the same thing only a difference in degrees. The entire practice should be outlawed it does nothing for our society. Furthermore, it drives down the quality of our cultural/educational significance by having such low standards for entertainment.
That was well stated OB and I agree. I couldn’t have said it any better.
Thank u!
That is very true, OB!
Paris,
Sorry, I missed the discussion.
I really applaud Jennifer and Halle. This is one of those times I think, celebrities are the only people who can represent these issues with the appropriate sensitivity.
OB,
I totally agree. However, I do think that we as a society need to stop chasing illusions that are not there (fame, money, etc)
Can I hug u. Yes! Yes! Yes! ITA. 🙂
Do u think the media has made people into materialistic followers instead of realist visionaries? And I mean realist visionaries who rely on practical resources instead of overindulging and exploiting to achieve their goals. How can consumers stop chasing the carrot the media has put in front of them?
“Do you think that the paparazzi should be legally obligated to stay away from actors when they are with their children and use long range lenses to obtain photographs?”
Yes, I really believe this practice of stalking actors kids is sick. I think the paps should be held liable for any and all medical bills they accrue as a result.
I’ve heard paps say it’s their first amendment right, blah, blah, blah, it doesn’t matter because if you are born into a celebrity family, you are considered a celebrity too, blah, blah, blah…
Bullsh#t! A child does not come into this world asking for this. They are innocent beings who deserve to be out of the limelight. It’s disgusting and revolting to listen to these paps not give one ounce of respect to these children. It’s devastating to these young children and could produce long term emotional effects if they don’t have parents who work overtime to assure their children that they are indeed safe and protected from these leeches. I know it’s is illegal in England and France and think it should be illegal here as well. I think sometimes people take our constitutional rights a little too far. I’m pretty sure our founding fathers didn’t imagine young children being preyed upon when they wrote the first amendment.
I agree LB. However, look at celebrities that use their children to enhance their own image. Their children are exploited in order to make money. Some celebs even put their ob-gyn visits/ sonograms on television.
” Some celebs even put their ob-gyn visits/ sonograms on television.”
Although these celebs think it enhances their image it really makes them look like heartless opportunist, so desperate for attention they are willing to throw their vulnerable innocent children into the meat grinder because they are too egotistical to deal with their own vulnerability.
I agree. It makes me want to be sick. It just baffles me as to why these celebrities wish to put so much of their life out there for everyone to see. People don’t just look and go “Ah, isn’t that nice!” They judge and fight over whatever the celebrity puts out. It seems nothing is scared anymore. I could go on and on about this but I’ll probably end up repeating myself!
Anyway, I think children should be off limits till they’re adults. None of that “Oh but my child is so mature. They say they can handle it” nonsense either. We all go through that stubborn mindset where we think we’re adults and know it all, but everyone I’ve asked and I include myself in this to, say they wish they had stayed a child for just a little bit longer. There’s a lot of important cognitive maturing that goes on between our teenage years and early twenties. That’s another thing you don’t notice till you look back on it too!
“There’s a lot of important cognitive maturing that goes on between our teenage years and early twenties. That’s another thing you don’t notice till you look back on it too!”
ITA Oz! Great point.
Paris,
What advice would you give to young stars who have potential 30 year plus careers in the limelight on handling the paps around their future families?
Great Q LB!
Everyone-
I would like to know what u think about this criticism against the bill?
“The main issue the NPPA and its general counsel Mickey Osterreicher have with the bill is how vague some of the crucial wording is. If the law went into effect, anybody taking photos of children without their parents consent would be liable if their actions in any way “alarm, annoy, torment, or terrorize the child” and/or cause “substantial emotional distress.”
IMO Children should be off limits period. That’s the problem with our society children are constantly being used for monetary gain in the media and it trickles down and become the norm in our society. Human trafficking is a result of anybody taking pictures of children and selling them on porn sites. Should we protect these sickos first amendment rights too? Please!
Ok, before I give a legit real answer, I just have to say this,
“Quit taking things so Effin literally people! If you have to explain and detail at length every word because you have no common sense to figure things out, then you are stupid.”
LB- This sound’s pretty legit to me. LOL!
Bwahahahahaha! I love you LB! *high five*
Paris,
Here is another quote from the NPAA.
“the NPPA would like to make sure that legislators remember “there’s a difference between punishing photographers who harass someone and defining photography as harassment in and of itself.”
Given that many paps have now enlisted fans to become stalkers of celebs and offer monetary rewards for their photos. What do u think of this argument?
It’s either G.R.E.E.D or D.E.S.P.E.R.A.T.I.O.N
What do u think of fans stalking celebs for pictures?
OB,
I’m afraid you would have to completely censor and bleep out my comment. Haha!
Hmm! Can u give me the PG version? Please!
OB,
Here goes: I love camera phones for the sole purpose of not having to lug around both a phone and camera. I can also send pictures directly to friends and family. The thing I HATE, dare I say LOATHE about camera phones is the vulnerable position it puts every single person in every day. Think of all the photos that perverts take while no one is looking. Think of just the regular Joe who takes a picture or video of someone doing something (typically something really dumb and outrageous or personal) and exploiting them on the internet. Throw in fans (stalkarazzi) who take photos of their favorite actor/actress without the consent of the actor/actress and it just….well it’s just out of control.
Think of the suicides that have happened in the last several years because someone’s personal moments were exploited on facebook, twitter, etc…and they couldn’t deal with the embarrassment because some asshat thought it would be either funny or intentionally cruel.
I think there do need to be laws setting boundaries on what photographs can be taken and who can be in them. I get the whole first amendment rights, but I also believe in privacy not being exploited just because you “can” and it’s your “right”.
BRAVO! BRAVO!!!
I’m impressed by your tact. Yes! Yes! ITA agree with everything u said about camera phones. I refuse to get one for all the reasons u just mentioned. I know I’m the only person in the world without one. But I don’t care. Hahaha! I like to give people my complete and undivided attention when I’m with them something I think is lost today with all the distractions. Furthermore, I think in order to sell pictures people should be a licensed photojournalist and if u post pictures without the persons consent u get your license revoked. This would cut back on all the wannabe fan stalkers and fans turned paparazzi. What do u think?
You said: I think in order to sell pictures people should be a licensed photojournalist and if u post pictures without the persons consent u get your license revoked.
Amen. I think there would be more respect from the actors as well towards the photographer. Society can get their “fix” without completely exploiting the lives of their favorite fan.
True! Well stated LB!
You’re not the only one who doesn’t have a smart phone, OB! I’d like one but to be honest, I don’t think I’d use half of the stuff on it, so what’s the point?!
I like your licensed photographer idea. To me the law would cover the child no matter who the photographer was. Also it should cover fans who upload a photo free for whatever the fandom they’re in, that then gets picked up by gossip sites and magazines. It’s still exploitation of the child, just this way whoever took the photo doesn’t get paid. It’s another fan thing I don’t understand. Why get photos of the famous person’s non famous family and friends? It’s creepy! Focus on the celebrity.
“Also it should cover fans who upload a photo free for whatever the fandom they’re in, that then gets picked up by gossip sites and magazines. It’s still exploitation of the child, just this way whoever took the photo doesn’t get paid.”
Ozzie-That’s an excellent idea.
Paris-
According to this bill it excludes legit photojournalist from being prosecuted. Could u define what a legit photojournalist is to u? Also, do u think this bill might inspire/require people to get a license to be considered a professional photographer?
Everyone-
If the gossip magazines were banned do u think this would resolve the problem?
Maybe if online gossip sites were too. However, it would probably just drive it underground. I think allowing photos of professional events only might help e.g., premiers, award ceremonies etc. Basically red carpet events.
True!
Hi everyone!
Hey! Sorry I am late. How are you?
Hi Paris,
Sorry I’m late but I’m here Great article and discussion.
Anyone still here? Sorry, I’ve missed the discussions. I’ve not been well, still not feeling 100%. I tried to remember tonight’s but fell asleep early, doh. Anyway, I’ll be back tomorrow to catch up!
Hi Ozzie,
I’m here. A little late but I’m here.
Ozzie,
Sorry, u are feeling bad. I will be here tomorrow as well. So I will see u then. Feel better! Big Hug 🙂
Aww, thank you! Big hugs in return. 🙂
Hello to anyone who is here, lol!
Hi! The Great and Powerful Oz glad u are feeling better. 🙂 Let me read and catch up.
Paris, I love that you chose this topic! I always like these discussions. I don’t know why, I just do, lol!
Hopefully this doesn’t appear to be too far off topic. As far as professional practice goes, I’m not even sure young people should be encouraged to experiment with their identities before a specific age or experience. I’m pretty sure the actor has to be fairly secure in their identity to make this sort of exercise rewarding.
Regardless, that form of play occurs because an individual feels they can handle the activity. Jennifer and Halle are making sure the pursuit of an authentic identity isn’t interrupted unwelcomed strangers.