Continuing on from last week where the emphasis was on the art/theatre/music critics, who in most cases have no business ‘critiquing’ singing in the shower, or doodling on scratch paper! Let us move further.
There were times, when singers/song-writers were in many cases, one and the same. The ability to create the words, the emotions, the messaging that came from writing a song, went almost ‘hand-in-hand’ with becoming successful in the music industry. One would, and could collaborate for sure, as did Elton John with Bernie Taupin along with the likes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, who over the many years created a multitude of memorable mega hit songs. We never expect a single person to be able to do everything, to be able to write, compose, and perform and do so very well. Doing some of it, or being able to do one component well is the least that could be expected.
The technological advances that we are eternally grateful for has also given the music industry invaluable boosts in what is doable, and what can be accomplished successfully in a short time. These very same additions have also, unfortunately, given folks with little, very little or no talent the ability to rise to dizzying heights of success through the use of technology as a replacement for ‘talent’. From auto-tune to adjusting voices and overall sound beyond ‘enhancement’ to the point of recreation and re-invention, there are limits to what can be considered technical ‘help’. So, when we have those who cannot hold a tune if their lives depended on it, launching singing careers it is worrisome. Yes, we live in times now where if you “look the part, you can be the part” but that does not replace talent. Just because you are gyrating semi-nude and have your share of perverts who want to salivate over you, doesn’t mean that holding a mike simply makes you a singer. Shall we try to highlight talents? Maybe take a few voice lessons? See if this is even a career that’s right for you, before subjecting yourself to every “critique” valid or not to ridicule your abilities.
The same mantra applies to any of the creative fields. Yes, you may love to be ‘theatrical’, and have your close friends and family applauding wildly (they are after all your friends and family!), but that does not a thespian make. The nuances of acting are not a simple area to be able to excel in, and many sadly fall short. I am personally horrified at the wooden horse level stiff, painfully contrived acting that we see from so many on stage and on the screen. Have you seen some of the frightening series on local television? Local film? It is tragic. From the forlorn gazes, to obviously fake laughter, to melodramatic sobbing, to dialog delivered with no emotions, the list goes on and on. Being attractive physically can open the doors to the audition room, and is some cases the bedroom, and unfortunately in many cases the two are one and the same room. Having a director/producer etc. in your bed or your corner does not a star class actor/actress make! This is a global issue, but fortunately in many other countries if a series or movie includes bad acting, it is cancelled after the pilot episode or the first season, and the movie gets horrendous reviews. Dragging on the agony for multiple seasons and sequels is just being sadistic towards the audiences!
The hair and makeup teams are also reprimandable, as are the costume designers in many of these visual tragedies. We have discussed repeatedly that using white makeup doesn’t make you look ‘fairer’ it just makes you look ashen at best and ‘in the grave for 6 months’ at worst. The word ‘pretty’ or ‘handsome’ is not the defining factor for star-power.
Take the likes of Danny DeVito, Toby McGuire, Simon Helberg, Michael Scott, Mariska Hargitay, Meryl Streep, and Sandra Bullock, they are not your ‘cookie-cutter’ good-looking, but they are all amazing actors with immense skill in their craft.
The topic of critiques and curators, those who take on the burden of guiding, collating, choosing and editing what is good/bad/and worse, are also a rarified circle that can be terribly misguided in their perceived powers. There are the super capable few who have a keen eye, and a sense of unbiased viewing that makes their opinions invaluable, and their input golden. There are also those who are the complete opposite, the one-sided, bitter, angered ‘could-have-beens’ who look at everything that anyone creates with a jaded eye, and a tongue dripping with venom. Sadly, this latter category is more prevalent than the previous!
We also have the ‘white is right’ syndrome, a sickly by-product and leftover bit of rot from the colonial times, where anything said by anyone ‘white’ is deemed of greater value, and thus “correct”. How many reputed artistic institutions hire their ‘curators’ based on them being ‘white’? many in our part of the world. From ‘artistic directors’ of theatre festivals, to leading galleries, to design institutions, to lead architects on many mega projects, any ‘imported individual’ is seen to be of greater value, than anyone local, who may be many times more qualified and better suited for the position.
Why? Do we trust ourselves, and our own capabilities so little? Is it the snobbery of “I can afford to get a person from overseas” the guiding or ‘misguiding’ factor? A friend of mine who has a gallery and had hired a person who was a ‘whiter shade of pale’ as the curator and director, when I asked him what her qualifications were, he mumbled and fumbled over his words. I filled in the gaps and said “you mean you hired her because she is white”! Of course, he was not pleased to hear this verbalized but am sure it played a huge, if not key role in her getting the position. Sad facts in our neck of the woods.
I think it is time to take a long look inwards, personally and collectively. We can and should highlight the immeasurable amounts of talents we have all around us, from all walks of society, where the true capabilities and results are born from skills. We can all make a decision to ‘tell it like it is’ stop sugar coating and praising rubbish and take the time to shine a spotlight on the deserving. I myself along with my family have always done this, and like it or not, authenticity in opinions, along with skills is a good starting point to make this journey of life more pleasurable.
