Documentary project about gun owners
- Thread starter JustinS
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Amish_Bill
Member
Justin - can you tell us directly what network/station/brand this documentary is intended for?
mattd
Member
If this is for mtv, I bet it going to be for a documentary series called True Life.
I wouldn't try to get into anything deep, because thats when you set yourself up for humiliation, say what you think and people will respond more favorably. And play on emotions more so then logic because this is mtv its mostly kids watching.
I wouldn't try to get into anything deep, because thats when you set yourself up for humiliation, say what you think and people will respond more favorably. And play on emotions more so then logic because this is mtv its mostly kids watching.
Amish_Bill
Member
Hmmm... Sounds like a great opportunity for a kid who's not versed in verbal judo to be positioned as anything the producer/host/interviewer wants to make them look like.
another48hrs
Member
I've seen True Life before, it was pretty interesting. I saw one where they showed people that play video games for a living. It was a long time ago, but I didn't think it showed it in a bad view it was just different. I guess the show is supposed to open up different cultures and people to the MTV generation, I think there was an episode about cheerleaders and kids who go to fat camp. But after that "debate show" it seems really fishy, but if he is legit he has the worst timing I've ever seen.
stealthmode
Member
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if i wasnt losing my hair i would consider going on camera.
not!
not!
Oleg Volk
Moderator Emeritus
I referred him here because I wasn't able to determine the full intent and wanted a public vetting of the concept. MTV retains the ability to edit the program, so it may well be a trap...but I wonder if fore-warned is fore-armed would apply even to a potential trap.
mattd
Member
On a True Life I seen it was about a kid going to Iraq, but when he came back he bought a gun because he said he felt naked without it because he always carried a m-16 in Iraq and showed him at the range shooting it. I highly doubt anything on mtv would be as bad(if at all), as something on comedy central would be. I'd say do it, just try to be prepared for anything. After all its a "documentary" and not a debate show or anything.
Don't automatically assume it's a trap because it's for MTV. It sounds like Shadowbox films is an independent production company and, if that's the case, they wouldn't have had anything to do with the "Crosball/Debate Show" set-up.
It's always prudent to ask questions and I'd want to know what particular show this would be for, but don't automatically assume it's a hatchet job.
It's always prudent to ask questions and I'd want to know what particular show this would be for, but don't automatically assume it's a hatchet job.
sturmruger
Member
All of the Truelife programs I have seen on MTV were very fair and for the most part showed both sides of an issue.
Owen
Moderator Emeritus
so what's the verdict on this guy.
I'm a 28 year old gun designer, and an active competitor. I've been shooting since I was 8, so I seem to fit the bill, but I don't want to get bushwhacked either.
owen
I'm a 28 year old gun designer, and an active competitor. I've been shooting since I was 8, so I seem to fit the bill, but I don't want to get bushwhacked either.
owen
Gordon Fink
Member
What concerns me is that Mr. Schein says he is looking for “characters.†To me, the use of this term for the potential subjects of a documentary film suggests a prima facie lack of respect for those subjects.
We’ve been burned before, so I’m inclined to think Shadowbox is really looking for gun owners who are fearful, bigoted, and poorly educated (or for someone they can make look that way). After all, how can showing thoughtful, well-educated, tolerant gun owners from many ethnic backgrounds reinforce the idea that firearms are a danger to society that must be strictly controlled?
For comparison, does anyone expect to see an unbiased documentary on abortion? In fact, Mr. Schein has already revealed another bias, in this case toward hunters, competitive shooters, and collectors—all benevolent hobbyists for the most part. Of course, the Second Amendment and the right to keep and bear arms it codifies have little to do with hunting and other firearms-related hobbies.
I own firearms to defend my family and myself if need be—not because I fear the “mud people†or the “black helicopters,†but because it’s the responsible thing to do. It’s also my right as a freeman, a right that must be protected no matter how dangerous it might appear. That’s where the discussion (and documentary films on the subject) should begin and end. All the rest about hunting, crime, and public safety is no more than an interesting diversion.
~G. Fink
We’ve been burned before, so I’m inclined to think Shadowbox is really looking for gun owners who are fearful, bigoted, and poorly educated (or for someone they can make look that way). After all, how can showing thoughtful, well-educated, tolerant gun owners from many ethnic backgrounds reinforce the idea that firearms are a danger to society that must be strictly controlled?
For comparison, does anyone expect to see an unbiased documentary on abortion? In fact, Mr. Schein has already revealed another bias, in this case toward hunters, competitive shooters, and collectors—all benevolent hobbyists for the most part. Of course, the Second Amendment and the right to keep and bear arms it codifies have little to do with hunting and other firearms-related hobbies.
I own firearms to defend my family and myself if need be—not because I fear the “mud people†or the “black helicopters,†but because it’s the responsible thing to do. It’s also my right as a freeman, a right that must be protected no matter how dangerous it might appear. That’s where the discussion (and documentary films on the subject) should begin and end. All the rest about hunting, crime, and public safety is no more than an interesting diversion.
~G. Fink
fix
Member
With apologies to Gordon, an example of creative editing these folks like to use to their advantage:
I own firearms because I fear the “mud people†because it’s the responsible thing to do.
Amazing isn't it? Think about it folks.
Gordon Fink
Member
Precisely the kind of thing I would worry about.
~G. Fink, who once sat in on a national-security meeting with the President … according to a newspaper
~G. Fink, who once sat in on a national-security meeting with the President … according to a newspaper
spacemanspiff
Senior Member
didnt 'true life' do an episode somewhat recently about a journalist in iraq? he was of middle eastern descent, forget exactly which country he was from, but he showed a beretta i think, that he kept for protection.
the most memorable anti-gun piece produced and aired by mtv to my recollection was that show one kid, high school student, was a gunowner and would always tell people that he'd shoot anyone who got in his face.
couldnt tell if it was creative editing or if thats how he really was. but by the end of the episode, after spending time in an ER watching the gunshot victims, he claimed he would 'change his ways'.
doesnt it seem though, like a lot of programming is being geared to show gunowners lately? every 'crime' show has people obtaining guns illegally (nypd blue: intercepting 20 stolen glocks; Law & order: woman travels to another state to buy a gun, does a straw purchase with a ffl; shield: dozens of stolen mp5's taken off the streets and wind up dumped into the bay; etc etc).
its only going to get worse for the next 18 weeks.
the most memorable anti-gun piece produced and aired by mtv to my recollection was that show one kid, high school student, was a gunowner and would always tell people that he'd shoot anyone who got in his face.
couldnt tell if it was creative editing or if thats how he really was. but by the end of the episode, after spending time in an ER watching the gunshot victims, he claimed he would 'change his ways'.
doesnt it seem though, like a lot of programming is being geared to show gunowners lately? every 'crime' show has people obtaining guns illegally (nypd blue: intercepting 20 stolen glocks; Law & order: woman travels to another state to buy a gun, does a straw purchase with a ffl; shield: dozens of stolen mp5's taken off the streets and wind up dumped into the bay; etc etc).
its only going to get worse for the next 18 weeks.
well i got an e-mail back from Justin, they want to do a phone interview with me. i know that i am treading on thin ice. but i feel that kids need to be informed of this stuff. i will proceed very carefully. i will be skeptical but i will try to make sure everything is on the up and up as much as it can be in the media.
Black
Black
Dionysusigma
Member
I second the whole "True Life show = Good" argument. I also agree with those who give caution.
I agree with this the most.
Thrash1982
Member
If Jim Marches experiences with MTV are anything to go by I'm staying as far away from this show as possible.
sumpnz
Member
Here's what Justin wrote in his reponse to my email (see below his message for my original message). I have only changed my real name to my screen name here at THR, and blanked out his phone number. Otherwise, this is truly verbatim the exchange we've had.
Well, I sent a little bit of basic information about myself and my girlfriend, both of us 21 years old. I don't know if I'm the most television-worthy guy around, but I know to proceed with caution and I've been doing lots of what I call "pro-gun missionary work" recently. Even invited one of my professors from school to come shooting, I do hope she takes me up on my offer.
I'll be interested to see how this plays out still.
I'll be interested to see how this plays out still.
BluesBear
member
You would think that Oleg, with his heritage, experience and profession would be a great subject for this documentary.
Also perhaps our doubts would be lessened if Justin would post some more.
Also perhaps our doubts would be lessened if Justin would post some more.
JohnBT
Member
I'm 53 (shrug), so somebody take a whack at it and report back. If it doesn't turn out well, well think of the stories we'll tell.
John
John
I just spoke to Dave from Shadowboxfilms on the phone. It apparently is for "True Life" and I'll be meeting them tomorrow in the city (I go to school at Hunter) to chat more, so they can find out if they think I am handsome enough for TV.
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