Teenage Paparazzo

Pre-Film Questions

What is the subject of this film? 

1.) The subject of this film is the teenage paparazzi Austin.

 

Why has the filmmaker decided to choose to make a film on this topic?

2.) In my opinion the filmmaker decided to make a film on this topic because the ethics of being a paparazzi are highly controversial, and this film would expose the viewpoints of both sides, paparazzis and celebrities.

 

Can you determine the filmmakers’ perspective on this subject? What evidence can you find in the film to 

support your view?

3.)The filmaker shows a bias that supports the paparazzi, you can see this in the film because he never shows any celebrity interviews where they condemm paparazzi behaviour.

 

How does this film help you analyze and interpret points of view about issues that concern people?

4.) The film helped me interpret other points of view by exposing me to other viewpoints and the reasons that cause people to see an issue that way.

 

Does the filmmakers’ perspective foster respect for diversity and an inclusive society? If so, how?

5.) Personally I don't believe the film was diverse because it didn't include much racial diversity, and only the paparazzi and a few celebrities opinions' were voiced, but the general public's opinion wasn't voiced.

Post-Film Questions

 

Is there a difference between photographs taken by the paparazzi and those by the public?

1.) Photos taken by paparazzi are usually taken without permission( and often when the celebrity doesn't want to be photographed), and usually the photos are used to spread gossip and personal details about the celebrity, regardless if they are true or false. The photos are also used commercially instead of personally . Photos taken by the public are usually for personal use and are taken with permission. They are usually are for sentimental value.

 

Do you believe the paparazzi are proud of what they are doing? Do they enjoy it? Explain

2.) I think some paparazzi are proud of what they are doing and others aren't. In the film it states that most paparazzis enjoy it because they ge an adrenaline rush and get to see celebrities constantly

 

Should celebrities like Nicole Ritchie complain about the paparazzi, a source of media that provides them with 

free publicity? What do you think of celebrities that embrace the paparazzi like Paris Hilton? Is there a 

relationship that exists between celebrities and paparazzi? Explain.

3.) I think paparazzis should be allowed to take pictures of celebrities in public but shouldn't stalk them outside their house or climb into their backyard to get a photo. Celebrities should expect to recieve less privacy but they should be able to find privacy in private property( like their house or a friend's house). Certain celebrities like paris hilton may not mind having less privacy because they don't mind the general public knowing private details of their lives but ohter celbrities do mind, and that should be respected. There is definitely a relationship between celebrities and paparazzis, the paparazzis are dependant on the celebs  because they are a source of income for them.

 

Analogies can be useful to explain an issue. How is the paparazzo like a mosquito? Explain. Use your own 

analogy to describe the same concept.

4.) The paparazzi are like mosquitoes in the sense that they are dependant on others for their suvival. Paparazzis could definitely be described as fire  because fire needs fuel to stay alive just like paps need celebrities to survive. Also fire damages its fuel source in the same way that paps damage celebs' reputations.

 

Are you judgmental towards Austin’s parents and their tolerance towards their son’s “career”? Would you let 

your child be a paparazzo at Austin’s age? Does it depend only on age or are there other factors to consider?

5.) In my opinion Austin's parents don't hold any authority over austin, you can see this n the movie when austin's momhas to ask for ausin's approval for a restaurant. Austin shouldn't be allowed to be a paparazzi because it isn't a very stable career, and he is sacrificing his education, which is going to highly limit the jobs he can acquire that provide a steady income. He's also going out all hours of the night and harassing celebrities at their doors( which is illegal since it is private property) and his could get him into legal trouble later on in his life. I personally believe that the only morally right reason to be a paparazzi is if that is the only way to pay for your necessities, that is the only factor that should determine wether or not someone should be a paparazzi.

 

Are you surprised at the paparazzi’s double standard of wanting to exploit celebrities, yet becoming angry at 

Adrian for exploiting what they do? 

6.) The paparazzi's double standard doesn't suprise me because according to the documentary they were expecting adrian to demonize them in the documentary and that was why they were angry.

 

Was it ironic that Adrian became a member of the paparazzi? Why did he choose the role reversal?

7.) It definitely is ironic because a celebrity becoming a paparazzi is the exact opposite of what people would expect (which is the definition of irony). Adrian chose to switch roles because he wanted to understand he paparazzis' point of view.

 

Why are we so obsessed with celebrities? What is it about them that we cannot get enough of through 

magazines and websites?

8.) Parts of the general public assume that celebrities have perfect lives and like to hear about their lives so they can live vicariously through the lives of the celebrities.

 

How did Austin change over the course of the filming of the documentary? What caused this change?

9.) Austin began to fall into hollywood more during the middle of the movie because of the media exposure he was getting but he matured towards the end of the movie because of the movie adrian made that showcased his bad behaviour.

 

 Is it important to document what’s happening, or is what’s happening altered in the process of documentation? 

10.) The events that occured during the documentary are obviously altered through the use of editing and selectively chosing which events to show, even the prescense of a camera altered the events due to the fact that an individual will be more consious of their behaviour if a camera is present.

 

 

What are parasocial relationships? Why does the new generation have more parasocial relationships than their 

parents? What purpose do they serve?

11.) Parasocial relationships are a one way relaionship in which you feel you know a person because of the large amount of information you know about them, but in reality both parties are complete strangers to each other. This generation has more parasocial relationships because information is much more easily spread and spread much faster. These relationships are beneficial because if you have a problem that a celebrity has, a sense of comfort is created knowing that your problem is common.

 

 What advice would you give Austin? What do you hope lies in his future?

12.) My advice to Austin would be to focus on your education and choose a career that you enjoy and allows you flexible hours. I hope to see a future in journalism for him.

 

Analysis on Gossip Quote

 

     The quote i chose is "Gossiping is more about the gossiping than it is about the famous person.".

this quote means that the act of gossip is more imortant than who it is about. The famous person is used as a topic of conversation and to use as a convienient opportunity to share opinions. Theese opinions that we share help the person we're talking to understand us, our values, and what we think is important. Gossip is basically a communal bonding activity. In conclusion the famous person isn't important it is the topic of conversation that is important.