Somehow MTV’s The Real World has stood the test of reality-show time as the twenty-third season is now being filmed in Washington, D.C. But what’s different about the show’s filming this time versus in years passed? The use of social media to learn more about the show in real time. This changes the dynamics of the entire show.
The D.C. cast moved in just last week, but with the help of a Facebook group, Twitter handle and hashtag, an anti-real world blog, and even a Google Map tracking the crew, there is no missing the whereabouts of this cast. D.C. can now follow the whereabouts of the cast from the (overly) concerned citizens running these sites.
While this maybe just another result of social media’s real time, it actually breaks down the true purpose of the show: an element of surprise. The show is based on discovering what the strangers will do, how they will interact with each other, and who they will meet in the city. With citizens showing each and every move with a stream of updates, what’s the draw to the show anymore? Or is the hype too localized to make a difference?
"While social media tools such as Twitter, blogging and YouTube help us capture events in real time, as it's happening, I think it's going too far in regards to The Real World, D.C.. The Real World is supposed to be a show that captures the every day, normal interactions of "seven strangers, picked to live together..." said Meghan McCormick, a D.C.-based social media strategist. “The constant info-stream of their interactions and whereabouts creates a unnecessary concern for the cast members and further degrades the "authenticity" of the show."
With fans chasing after the camera crews based on Twitter reports, is the show losing authenticity due to fans' social media stalking?
Granted, I could care less about what actually happens on the show. But the fact that, about a year before the show airs, potential viewers will be able to see where the cast goes (and can potentially join them) changes the dynamic of the show and any similarly filmed reality TV shows. My question is- how will MTV adapt the filming and promotion of the show to keep up with the social media buzz in D.C.?
-Carla
Photo from here. Thanks to Meghan McCormick for the heads up on the D.C. buzz.
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tagged as reality tv, reality tv in social media, social media reality tv, social realities, social reality, unplugged reality
[...] He is amazed at how much I know- besides knowing a thing about shooting from my own experience, following the cast during filming has taken on new levels as information about the cast and the production can easily be found on The Internet. [...]