Polyamory in the News
. . . by Alan M.



April 18, 2014

Atlanta poly triad on Australian TV, and some TV advice

Channel 7 (Australia)

The Atlanta triad who started Atlanta Poly Weekend three years ago, and who were featured amazingly well on the CNN website last October, just did a 7-minute remote interview for one of Australia's main TV channels. Watch it here.

Atlanta poly family on TV

It's positive overall, but two comments: They act frozen — so unlike how I've seen them in real life — and they respond too directly to each question.

Please, if you're going on TV, loosen up, move, interact with each other, ham it up, be actors.  Because that's what you are. Your body language says way more than your words. It's what viewers remember.

Notice, for example, how the hosts act. In real life that would be overdramatic hamming; on TV it looks engaging and friendly. And Elisabeth Sheff, who comes on as an outside-expert talking head, shows what some practicing in front of a home camera can do.

Second: Use interview questions as excuses to go into zingy bits that you've practiced beforehand — including at least one or two sound-bite messages that you've decided are the key points you most want to get across.

The interview spends a lot of time cutting away from the motionless trio to happy photos of them being lively together in real life. Thank you, producer.

Billy (on the left) says, "It wasn't perfect but it was positive. And we learned a lot."

(Aired April 13, 2014).

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4 Comments:

Blogger Unknown said...

In our defense, it was our first TV appearance, and we were scared. but now that its behind us I think we have a better idea of what to expect from this sort of appearance. There was nothing there to look at besides the camera. we were in a dark , empty studio in Atlanta. We didnt even know what we looked like because we couldn't see the monitor. AND the last excuse Ill give is we have had just wrapped 36 hours of shooting video with NBC for an upcoming Web Documentary about us and Polyamory... we were tired of the camera....In fact they were in the studio with us filming behind the scenes stuff. But It was a good experience. I just hope that we aren't judged too harshly by our community for stepping up to the plate.

April 18, 2014 1:49 PM  
Anonymous Billy Holder said...

Unknown??? No that was me Billy..... Silly Internet.

April 18, 2014 1:51 PM  
Blogger Alan said...

> I just hope that we aren't judged too harshly by
> our community for stepping up to the plate.

Not at all! I think all of us realize how valiant and brave you three are for all that you have done and continue to do. Not many people are willing to put themselves on the line for our benefit as you have done, and out hats are off to you! The whole community owes you. Thanks, and I hope you keep it up.

Alan M.

April 18, 2014 2:20 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks for increasing the visibility of our community! I thought you and your family came across as real life, genuine people. While I appreciate Kamala Devi and her crew, I don't know that it's beneficial for all visible poly people to be "actors". It's nice to let people see some normal, not-used-to-the-limelight poly folk.

ES

April 20, 2014 4:44 PM  

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