Know where you’ll find a considerable lack of integrity, dignity, etiquette, and a work ethic? At Hollywood press events. Call me old-fashioned (or just smart), but when a journalist covers an event, they should probably have prepared some inquires to ask the people either going up to the podium and/or walking the red gauntlet (carpet); that are prepared to answer the obvious and obscure. Or at the very least, know who the bloody hell they are! I believe that’s called doing your job – or a good job.

Recently, I attended a major press junket & red-carpeted event for the DVD release of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.” What I observed is behavior that just baffles me. And this clearly isn’t the first time yours truly has witnessed these forthcoming detailed acts, for this gem would not have been authored based on an isolated incident. I’d like to think I’m rational. And of course, this does not represent all the journalists out there.

Let’s start off with the press conference: About twenty of the cast & crew from the biggest movie franchise of all-time dropped in to answer questions for about two hours. Press from all over the world – the majority flown in and put up in hotels by the studio – wiggled into the room with their cameras, recorders, etc., looking ready to probe the talent. Well my friends…looks are deceiving. When the conference began with the moderator choosing who would be allowed to articulate their question elementary school style (raising your hand), my blood-pressure steadily started to rise.

Less than 50% (and that’s being generous) threw up their hands hoping to ask a question. In fact, some people were called on twice while others just attentively sat there. Granted, a few of them may have had one-on-one interviews prior, yet a good portion did not. So why weren’t their respective hands up in the air?

Because the nature of the beast that is a press conference, is conducive for them to be lazy and have others do the legwork for them. And in my book, that’s beyond pathetic.

It’s assumed a variety of outlets will collect the same quotes and I get that. But when people actually pose a decent question that is different from the norm, it seems unfair – and downright rude – that the lazy journalists, who have been enjoying their complimentary bag of Skittles and coffee (and then some), should be allowed to mooch off a fellow writer.

I asked the final question of the press conference (my third total) and the two silent people that were next to me, both stated, “That’s a great question.” Yeah, I hope you enjoy it and you can pay me in cash, losers!

Now I realize the talent can’t answer everyone’s question, hence this developed setting to at least give everyone a shot at gathering quotes for their respective outlet. And perhaps these veteran journalists are jaded from the press conference experience and feel that they no longer need to come up with things to talk about. My solution then: stay home!

The above speaks to integrity and work ethic, but there’s also a dignity and etiquette side that needs to be instilled – check that – drilled into the self-involved writer.

While on the red-carpet, the sheer amount of press could have anyone flustered. That is, if they’re thinking. There were about a hundred outlets prior to the talent reaching my 2 x 4 spot on the winding red path. And maybe it’s just me, but I couldn’t help to think about the cast & crew that had to go through this grueling process. Sure they earn the money and these events do serve a purpose for all involved. But it’s still rough.

So I’m not going to harp on trying to come up with an original and/or thoughtful question, but again, at least have a damn question. Everyone around me just stood there taking answers from my interrogatories. It almost got to the point where I wanted to snag their recorders and toss them into the keg of Butterbeer behind me. The phrasing of my question was unique and sure enough – when I did a search about the event – I saw versions of that same phrasing used in an assortment of outlets encompassing my derived answers from the talent. Really makes it tough to show these fools any respect.

And since I’m teeing off, when the talent’s publicists say they only have time for one or two questions, ASK ONE OR TWO QUESTIONS. The selfish nature, or perhaps the misguided direction, of a journalist is to get as much as possible and hopefully something unique. And that’s fine…when you’re in a one-on-one situation. But take a look, and therefore, be aware of the atmosphere you are working in. Annoying the talent ruins it for others (and yourself). And defenders of this practice can tout that you’re being a savvy journalist, yet in reality, you’re just being an asshole.

Again (we’re saying that a lot here), that is the nature of the beast. It would require a mass movement to change this. How I don’t know. In speaking with a few of the studio reps on what I witnessed and how they go about choosing which outlets they let into these suckers, they apparently understand the issue is present, but there is no sure-fire way to remedy this.

Man, do we need one.

So while cheating off your classmate’s work may be acceptable in this industry, one should really try to rise above it. But hey, I’m just a severely underpaid journalist who takes pride in his work. What do I know?

READ THE CALLING OUT OF MOVIE CRITICS

By Joe Belcastro – Member of the Florida Film Critics Circle