Did you wonder why they were there?
As you watched the 2013 Oscars presentation, and the First Lady Michelle Obama appeared to present the award for Best Picture, did you notice the fine young men and women from the military services who stood behind her during her short live remarks and presentation?
Did you anticipate acknowledgement of their service? Did you wonder how The White House and Hollywood were planning to include, incorporate, or honor those young people resplendent in their parade dresss uniforms?
So did I.
Now I know the Obamas receive a lot of criticism from those who do not agree with them politically, socially, economically, etc. Some of the criticism is silly and over-the-top; some of it is valid as well.
But it's performances like last night that get people talking about the Obamas, their priorities and values.
As Michelle appeared live from Washington, D.C. to the Hollywood elite, many of whom contributed significantly to The President's re-election, she spoke about overcoming obstacles, courage, the importance of art to young people, and "that vitally important work" being done in Hollywood ...
Seriously ... Their "vitally important work" ...
(View the entire segment here.)
But never once was the presence of those young people in uniform acknowledged, their service recognized.
It appeared that those courageous young people in their sharp, well-appointed dress uniforms were there simply as drapery.
Did you notice?
What's wrong with that picture?
Joe The Nerd Ferraro
10:45 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
wow - you gotta get better nits to pick - dude.
I saw a bunch of people in uniform who looked really glad to be there.
I am sure the First Lady was chatting with them before they went live.
I would be surprised if she didn't reassure them all it was going to be fun and to relax.
Part of the art of film is what is shown, but not said.
That is part of what made Silver Lining Playbook soooo good -
they didn't have to say everything - you saw it.
The statement was clear with those in uniform behind her.
Those in uniform were included.
Sorry that you need to be hit over the head with something before you get it...
Mike Shortall
11:02 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
And what then was their purpose for being there, Joe? If they were invited to be there, to relax, and to have some fun, why the parade dress? Why were they used as a silent backdrop on national TV?
Do you know about stagecraft, Joe? Hollywood at its finest. Why were they not even acknowledged? Not a word, not a gesture ... It's a pretty big nit, Joe.
Joe The Nerd Ferraro
11:13 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
I am sorry Mike -
you are exposing yourself as part of the lowest common denominator...
are you part of the reason when someone gets sent a letter on screen - it has to be read out loud. (back in the day the director would just show the letter for a moment.)
The fact they were there IS the acknowledgement.
The show was an awards show about VISUAL arts.
If you are having trouble picking up on visual cues -
Why don't you take some film or art courses.
you might find it helpful if you want to write to a larger audience.
Also, I think the Art Museum is still free a couple of Sunday's per month.
You might want to try that.
Mike Shortall
9:55 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Nice lecture, joe, but no answers to the questions, eh?
You might want to consider factual arguments - as opposed to dismissive straight-arms - if YOU want to reach a larger audience. You might want to try your local library. They can be very helpful.
Joe The Nerd Ferraro
4:14 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
i gave you the answer - but you are not properly trained to receive.
(are you sure you want to compare audience sizes?)
Mike Shortall
5:29 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
No, that's OK Joe. I'm sure you would love to use your "worldliness" as a way of putting me down rather than actually answering any of the questions, aside from a lot of supposition about the hows and whys of their White House participation.
Did you know there was a black-tie Governor's dinner at The White House Sunday night? Kinda flips the whole they-were-there-just-having-fun theory, since they were obviously on-duty for the night as honor guards and escorts.
I just think an on-air thanks in front of millions of people and the Hollywood elite, who perform all that "vitally important work" (snicker), would have been a grand gesture from The First Lady.
Well hopefully, they all got a free White House pen.
Joe The Nerd Ferraro
5:52 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Mike - you wrote a cheap shot article.
Mike Shortall
7:42 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
You would know, Joe. I've seen your work.
Joe The Nerd Ferraro
8:53 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
you wrote a humorless article with no take-away -
and you get thin-skinned when called out on it.
Mike Shortall
9:00 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Yeah, Joe ... It will be a long, long time before these wounds will heal. </sarcasm>