Kelsey: The Webseries

"Kelsey" & Christina get Exploited by Fusion

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Christina here. Just wanted to share my Facebook post that kind of went viral last night (shared by tons of people & LGBT Facebook groups) about my experience of shooting an interview with the new network Fusion, owned by ABC & Univision. 

"So my experience shooting the the "Alicia Menendez Tonight" show was really crappy.
I was put in a room alone, with no one from the show prepping me on what the format would be like or what would be asked. And then while rolling, I quickly realized that they had an agenda that was quite different from how it was originally pitched to me. Overall, I think the comments made by myself and the other 2 panel guests were worth sharing. But I originally chose not to share the segment once it was up online after airing on TV because I disliked the fact that my comments about how "Kelsey" breaks stereotypes for both women in general as well as lesbians were cut and felt that I was just used as a way to fill the female/lesbian quota of the segment (not to mention ethnic diversity quota as well). HOWEVER, after seeing how they are now marketing the piece, I have to share it because I'm really pissed. Their headline completely trivializes the fact that LGBT characters need to start being portrayed outside of just the confines of their sexuality and be allowed to be human beings with their own individual experiences and stories that are unique to them on a personal level, not just because of who they have sex with. We do not make web content just so our characters can "get it on." To imply that that's our main motivating factor for making independent content that showcases LGBT characters is inexcusable. Shame on you Fusion. Rant over (though I could go on.) http://fusion.net/American_Dream/video/directors-turn-web-lgbt-characters-326018"

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They later changed their headline to 'Directors Turn to Web to Fully Develop LGBT Characters' after I and one of the others interviewed sent the guy who recruited us an email. But I checked back a week later and, although the headline on the page was the new one, the thumbnail and social media tag had reverted back to the 'Get It On' headline. Evidently, that was more effective in getting viewers to the page... 

I shared this because it was a big learning experience for me about the press, not just in how overwhelming a studio experience can be and that I need to get better at hearing multiple people in my head but looking at and talking to the camera (a lot harder than it seems, as you can see from my eyes moving all over the freaking place. However, defensive tangent, they never actually told me when I was and wasn't on camera. Regardless, performing for the camera is not my thing but maybe something I have to get better at?), but more importantly how much they use people simply to meet their agenda. Whatever soundbite they need from you, they're going to try to manipulate out of you. And if you have a message different from theirs but still want the publicity, then you need to learn how to play the game while saying exactly what you want to say. I failed at this my first time out of the gate, but I hope to improve as I get more experience. That said, points for me for getting them to air a woman saying "Male Gaze" on national television. I was at least adequate at getting that point across instead of pandering to their stupid Glee question.