Like shatomluck, I am also an English teacher (9 years in the classroom). After reading people’s comments, ideas, complaints, concerns and praise, I would like to share my own view of this LG15 phenomenon. It would seem to me that three aspiring filmmakers, with a creative, would eventually have to “come out” as creators of this video blog series, especially since their series was so popular. I cannot say for sure, however, I don’t know many people who aspire to a career, yet want their work to be hidden. It is rather amazing that people were drawn to LG15 considering all the choices that are available on the Internet (blogs, amateur videos, etc.). These guys obviously have talent enough to understand that which would draw in viewer s I don’t know many people who want to be singing sensations only to hide in their basements not sharing their music with the world. I cannot see filmmakers working hard to create a “cult” series (pun intended) to not take credit eventually.
Perhaps viewers changed the timeline of the LG creators’ revealing themselves. As an English teacher, I find it refreshing to see how many people are sharing their research skills and citing their sources (although I do discourage my students from using Wikipedia for their formal research papers- I digress, I am not grading anyone here).
In addition, people should lighten up about the religious/cult overtones. There are plenty of programs on television and in local movie theaters that openly share ideas about the occult. The Grudge II commercial is playing around the clock; A&E has its own series about gruesome true-life serial killers; and The Black Dahlia has hit the big screen. I doubt that three guys wanting to break into show business are harnessing the awesome power of the internet to brainwash us all. They want film careers.
If adults feel uncomfortable about some of the topics, they can surf other sites. Parents are responsible for monitoring what their children do online. Obviously, TV networks feel this way. Consider the myriad CSIs (CSI:Miami, CSI: Criminal Intent, CSI: Cassieiswatching). People like creepy sometimes; people enjoy a good mystery. Let’s take LG15 for what it is: a pretty neat way to be entertained when one is not watching Nip/Tuck, Desperate Housewives or re-reading the Di Vinci Code. I don’t allow my children to watch any of the television shows that I have mentioned, but my husband and I sometimes do. I enjoy the choice and freedom to be able to watch what I want to watch, research what I want to research and be involved in whatever I choose.
LG15 is pretty groundbreaking. Certainly, a (purple?) monkey-wrench was thrown into the filmmakers’ plan, but this is part of this interesting new genre. I will continue to see where it takes us.
Furthermore, regarding Cassieiswatching, I would have to say it is rather intriguing. The internet, especially myspace, is not a completely anonymous forum. Myspace’s recent criticism as a forum for pedophiles to lure young people into danger, as well as Dateline’s constant airing of sting operations for pedophiles who troll chat rooms looking for kids makes it unlikely that some crazy person is free to lure viewers to their deaths. Most of what happens on the Internet is traceable. People who voyeuristically view the video blog of a teenage girl should not suddenly become offended because it is not real, has a dark side, uses symbolism and provides an interesting storyline. I don’t remember anyone chastising the little boy or Bruce Willis for being in a movie that portrayed a mother slowly poisoning her child to death. (Remember: “I see dead people.”) It is fiction. People need to use their best judgment. People also need to realize that LG15 is only one piece of the complicated world in which we live.
Sorry for the diatribe. I have a cold, and I am home sick today with no students with whom I can discuss Hester Prynne’s scarlet A turning from Adultery to Able to Acceptance.
