MTV to do Show on Sorority Life
 

Just FYI . . .


MTV backs ``Sorority'' documentary
By Melissa Grego

HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - MTV has pledged its support to a documentary-style series tentatively titled ``Sorority Life.''

The series would highlight the day-to-day life and drama of a sorority on a U.S. college campus. The sorority and campus have not been determined yet.

``We can't deny that things go on, things like hazing,'' creator Sergio Myers told Daily Variety. ``My position is to provide an opportunity to members to come forward and tell their sides of things. ... We really want to get in there and look at how a more than 100-year-old tradition has been somehow preserved.''

Myers, whose credits include several episodes of ``The E! True Hollywood Story'' and feature-length documentary ``Heaven's Gate: The Untold Story,'' will serve as executive producer with Catherine Finn, his partner in 7 Ponies Prods.

Myers and Finn also hope to produce a follow-up project focusing on a fraternity.

Reuters/Variety REUTERS

I don't know if these were the same people, but a sorority on my campus was approached to be filmed and documented and our Greek Advisors "STRONGLY ENCOURAGED" against it.

NPC stance....
 

Hey ladies ...

All the NPC groups have sent memos out to their chapters to NOT to co-operate with this production ... it was found that MTV's motives may not be as alturist as everyone would hope it would be...

Remember, Rolling Stone did an article on Greek Life at Ohio State a few years back ... and it didn't look great from the OSU point of view ...

95% off the subject, but it's in the 5% I wish to divulge. Near my home town is an abandoned Tuberculosis clinic voted amongst the Ten Scariest places either in the US, or on Earth (I forget), and it's too going to be filmed on Mtv, for FEAR, and has already been filmed, it's just waiting to be shown, for one of those reality-based shows on television. I believe it's ABC though, and they were going around our campus practically pleading for Sigma Kappa to stay in the house over night, but for one, none of them would because it's scarey as hell to go near, plus there have been several dead bodies found there, and last but not least, their chapter refused to let them go on the show, even if they wanted to. Well, they could, but not achknowledge SK on the show at all. I wish they'd gotten to do it, because when I went, I went with some of their girls and we all freaked out just stepping barely inside of it.

But I guess the primary purpose of this text is to point out that if these girls here weren't allowed to do it (they're allowed to do most things they wish, which is a positive by all means), then I would guess most chapters would discourage a group, guy or girl, to do it. I think if it is done well though it could reflect a very positive light on Greek Life. Too bad it's not ABC or NBC doing it though, Mainstream America growing up on a couch often doesn't hold an Mtv report as the most substantially accurate report there is.

MTV is a poster child for sensationalism. (It used to be called Yellow Journalism) At one point they were supposed to do this same kind of program on fraternity life. I think probably every national fraternity in the world strongly suggested that their chapters NOT cooperate.

I don't see much of a chance for anything good for the Greek System to come out of a project like this.

Look at how the portray Greeks on some of their other programming.

If they approached me, I would run the other way.

DeltAlum

If they held true, and did what all journalists should do, what I believe Louisville-native Hunter S. Thompson refers to as Gonzo-journalism and just went around with greeks and showed what it is we actually do, I don't see how anything negative could come out of it. It seems to most of the world that if we fear being honestly portrayed on the media, then we have something to hide, that's the mindset of mainstream America. I won't jump to say it's a poor conclusion to make, on their part. If the world saw that 98% of the time we're out doing stuff for school, for the local community, and basically for anything that we can do something to improve then how can that be misinterpreted? All we'd have to do is shove the positive in their face the way the negative typically is. Otherwise, the worst case scenario is always assumed. A shitty truth, but a truth nevertheless.

About the RS OSU article, and all "exposes"...they're just using what we give them. It's like what Heather from RW1 said, "How can (the cast members) be mad, when we gave them what we used?". Just a little food for thought.

I know that Zeta has a rule that we cannot be on TV without national's permission. The only ones who can speak on behalf of the chapter is the president and someone else (I think the house advisor). I remember a year ago when one of the fraternities on our campus was involved in a bit of news drama over an incident. The media ran rampant through Greek Park Drive (the road all the greek houses are on). I just remember our president saying, "Do NOT speak on behalf of this chapter!" I hope that other sororities take this advice. MTV will probably do nothing but try to make the chapter look awful. And, if they make XYZ at one school looks bad then XYZ will probably be thought that way at all schools. I just think that MTV coming to a sorority can only hurt and not in any way help.

I agree with AlphaChiGirl. MTV can only do so much manipulation with footage. If a Greek organization acts poorly than that's what's going to show up on TV. I think this could be a really good idea for the right chapter. MTV could suprise us and show sororities in a positive light. Just my opinion.

I think it opens the door to all kinds of issues.

My thoughts EXACTLY. No NPHC group would even consider this offer, either.

Make no mistake about it. (Does that sound familiar?)

A good editor and writer can make Billy Graham sound like Hitler.

A simple good night kiss will turn into an ongoing orgy. A beer with a friend will turn into a drunken party. A request for a favor will turn into hazing. A (non secret) Greek ceremony with candles will turn into a Satanic ritual. A hug between sisters will become a lesbian relationship.

I'm not condeming or taking a moral stand on any of the above in this case, but think about the sensational editing and visual effects techniques and use of sound effects and music you've seen and heard, and none of these is a stretch. And all of the members, not just the chapter will be unfairly branded.

These folks know their craft well -- they know a lot more about it than any college student. It's a losing proposition for any sorority misguided enough to go along -- no matter how good a chapter they are.

I have to agree with the gc community on this one. Do we honestly think they're out to state the truth about greek life, or is it gonna be showing what the audience wants to hear - sensationalism (as Delt Alum noted). I don't think the target younger audience is tuning in to read facts and statistics - which many, btw, are future rush.

Hmmm.
 

Being a brand new greek- I have to admit that I had never seen the positive side of greek life. I had to study and research before I found anything along those lines. Greek life (both sorority and fraternities) have such a sterotype- for instance, in some states, they wont let sororities have houses. They are considered whore-houses.

Isn't there something we as greeks can do to help put this awful sterotype to rest? Couldn't we negotiate with the producers that we'll only comply on the gaurentee that we approve before it's shown?

Any ideas?

Jess

Deja,

Do you ever watch MTV? I still have a teenager, so I do.

These producers already know what they want the program to say, portray and look like.

A program about nice college girls doing community service, getting good grades and being good school citizens just isn't going to sell. They want alcohol, drugs, sex and hazing -- something to perpetuate the stereotype.

No producer in his/her right mind will accept pre-censorship, which is basically what you are suggesting when you say negotiate. And no producer will give up creative control which is what "approval" is tantamount to.

Given the track record, no matter how you cut it, this is probably a bad deal.

Smells like an ambush. I wouldn't touch this with a ten foot pole.

Hmm, again.
 

Yes, I watch MTV.
I'm only nineteen.

Okay this is going to sound crazy, but I think you guys are underestimating MTV. I think they do some very positive shows. Ie- Fight for your rights.

Plus, I don't know.

Here's the thing- if a tv show airs footage of hazing, sex, alcohol, drugs...in association with a Sorority...well, then obviously= something's wrong with the Sorority. Don't give them something to write about!

We as greeks need to be sure that our sororities (and fraternities) aren't partaking in stuff like that so they (documentary makers and everyone else) wont have anything bad to say! Plus, if a network blantantly makes things up, you can sue them. There are laws about things like that.

Deja,

Your attitude is refreshing, but you miss my point.

First, let me mention that I have been in TV production for over thirty years.

What I'm saying is that it is possible to make very innocent things look very seedy through editing, use of sound and creative writing. And MTV is very good at it.

Reread the comment by the producer on the first post on this thread. He wants to hear sorority women talk about hazing. He's already made up his mind.

This just isn't worth it.

something like this will be interesting to see..but I don't know what motives lie behind MTV and the producers...but I do know that I happened to catch TRL..and there was a guy on there who was supposedly greek, and carson daly (sp?)repeatedly called him "frat-boy" and it seemed to be in an instigating manner...kind of like Carson was doing it on purpose....I don't know tho..that was just my perspective of it.

d

Okay.
 

I do understand where you are comming from, I'm just trying to stay postive. I understand you're experience and knowledge on the subject.

"frat boy" also, on TRL played RIGHT into the typical "frat boy" connotaion. It's like he was "acting" the sterotype.

I'm just trying to play devils advocate and trying to get people to think a little more critically past their own set ideas. There are other ways to look at it, and I want people to try to look for more positive things in life..


Jess

Sure, we can look for the positive, but there is certainly nothing positive about a show whose main purpose is to expose and perpetuate the negative stereotypes. There are already WAY TOO MANY stereotypes out there...and the last thing we need is confirmation!

If there is a hazing or drug/alcohol abuse problem within a sorority, then it's not our business. It should be taken care of with their national headquarters or the appropriate local committee. Their dirty laundry should not be our business. Even if my sorority is not involved, I know that a program like that would affect me and sorority women everywhere.

It is *NOT* the responsibility of the media (especially MTV) to present the positive sides of being in a sorority. We do it all the time by being active on the campus/community or even by keeping our grades up. Sometimes the media will take notice, but, realistically speaking, most of them would rather deal with hazing/alcohol issues because technically, those are the issues that "sell".

It is my hope that none of you are involved with this show, and I also hope that no NPC/NPHC/Local/Multi-Cultural/Asian/Latina-Interest Sorority will accept MTV's offer.

On my campus it is hard enough to get PR from the student paper and one of my sisters is a head editor. They don't want to tell everyone when we do good stuff or help out, and they always! ALWAYS print the letters to the editor trashing greeks.
I am in broadcasting, too. Let me tell you, if a story isn't "Sexy" then it won't get ratings. They have to get some dirt. That is the only way to make it interesting.. it isn't interesting when you have 75 women in a group that do community service, take care of one another, and get along. However, sororities are secret societies to an extent and if they could get some girls that are having some problems, trashing another sorority or drinking and partying... that would so get ratings. That is what they are looking for. On my campus, I know for a fact, that they could go to two sororities and have one hell of a show and the other five they would be what we, as Greeks, would expect, but who would that want? I know I am in broadcasting and it is my responsibility to present the truth, at the same time it is a business and so I know I have to sell things too! Last year we did a date auction (of men) with a radio station and raised 4,000 and they hated giving us the good publicity, I remember some of them making comments to the effect "It goes against all that the media has said in the past and is hypocritical". How sad.. how very sad. And for what ever sorority does this, (WE ALL KNOW SOMEONE WILL BECAUSE THEY WANT THEIR FIFTEEN MINUTES OF FAME) I feel sorry for them because they really don't know what they are getting into! And Deja I know you are just being devil's advocate, but we always have to remember the golden rule of TV
RATINGS RATINGS RATINGS

Here comes another low flying pig...
 

I totally agree with everything DeltAlum has said where MTV is concerned. Yes they do have shows like "Fight for Your Rights" which is a positive thing. But I've been watching MTV since its inception (darn near, anyway) and they didn't give a crap about anybody fighting for any rights until it became "sexy" or "current" programming.

Look at the Hawaii season of Real World. Amaya's every fault was blown completely out of proportion, and every time she mentioned being in a sorority it was license to rip her apart. Meanwhile in that same house you had Kaia, one of the most pretentious, backstabbing humans ever featured on television, and Ruthie, the thong-flashing alcoholic. They were both portrayed as "cool." If I had any doubts about MTV's negative stance on Greek life, that erased them 100%.

Finally, if you can find it, Joe from Real World Miami wrote an expose on how fake the whole Real World experience was - the directors set up many of the moments between himself and his girlfriend, had them actually redo fights because they didn't get it all on tape.

I would believe the Weekly World News (current cover story: BILL CATCHES HILLARY WITH SPACE ALIEN!) before I would believe anything presented as "documentary" on MTV.

I still watch MTV alot, but there is no way in heck I or any of my sisters, in our right minds, would do this show. I can't remember who said it-sorry :( -but they have already made up their minds about what they want to hear about :hazing. I just don't know how accurately they would portray Greek life. I think that alot of thier younger viewers would take what they show as "the way it really is" and carry incorrect stereotypes in their minds. And it's true, they are future rushees.

I can't remember who said this either-I'm so sorry!-but it is up to us, and not MTV to make our glo's look good. I totally agree with that! However, it wouldn't help to show frat guys as binge-drinking rapists, or sorority girls as stuck-up hazing drunk sluts. I'm not saying that's what we are-I'm saying that the portrayl might be one-sided, because admit it: the juicier it is, the more viewers you get.:rolleyes:

I agree also, that this doesnt sound too good. It remains me of when I was either a junior or senior in HS, and YM Magazine had this big article on sorority rushes at different schools, including the one I eventually went too. The one they did on UGA definately was NOT helpful to greek life at all. The one they did on Michigan (mine) wasnt bad, but it wasnt necessarily shedding good light.
I think we all just have to wait and see what MTV does with this. Like Deja said MTV has donw great things (i,e. Rock The Vote, The Matthew Shepard Story, and other issues), however they do promote sensationalism also (i,e Real World, Road Rules). Maybe this time MTV will do positive Greek PR. If not now is definately time to start that Greek PR campaign everyone talked about.

Reality
 

The reality is that TV can twist and misinterpret everything. Sex sells, drama sells, scandle sells... So, I'm pretty sure that MTV isn't looking for the whole picture, but merely a fraction of it so that they can mold that into whatever distorted image they think will give them the most viewers.

I know that TriDelta Nationals has already informed all chapters that they are not allowed to be involved with anything MTV has to do. And for good reason.

Kymberleigh

"Maybe this time MTV will do positive Greek PR. "

Maybe MTV will start playing music video again. Never happen, both the positive Greek PR and playing music video.

i think most organizations have to get their national's permission to use their letters on TV. its one of those patent/copywright infringement deals. The only ones who wouldn't be umbrelled in this issue would be locals. I can't imagine any of national panhellenic/inter-frat councils to go for this. i have a sister who works for MTV, i am going to see if she knows anything about this.

My chapter was almost on the show
 

My chapter was almost in the documentary, but the lady who was searching for houses never took the time to get in touch with nationals to discuss their motives. SO our house never did it. It is probably a good thing that we didn't do it. I feel bad bc I was the one who saw the little bio under casting call and contacted the lady. I thought it would be a great boost if people could see the positive parts of greek life, but I was new in the chapter so I didn't think about the bad way they could portray us. Now that I am a journalism major I have learned that the media has the power to influence how people think w/o stating our opinion we can oneside any situation.

Amen!!!!!!!!

Not that I am trivializing the unfortunate events on our East Coast in THE LEAST, but it is sad that it took something like that for MTV to start playing music again.

Gee...

Why would anyone expect a network called Music Television to actually play music?

I guess I'm just bitter because I miss Martha whatever her name was, the VJ.

I saw Martha Quinn last night, doing an infomercial for a Best hits of the 80s collection.

juniorgrrl

I saw Martha Quinn last night, doing an infomercial for a Best hits of the 80s collection.

LMAO! That's great (hilarious)!

Re: Here comes another low flying pig...
 

ROFLMBO!! THAT IS SO FUNNY!! Of course I thought she WAS an alien!! :D

Anyway -- I totally agree -- they will find a way to turn ANYTHING totally innocent into something that is disgusting and "hazing" related. I would advise my chapter to avoid MTV as well!

I would never ever trust MTV or any other network, studio or production company. This past summer Disney contacted some of the groups at USC to film in and on their property. ADTT allowed their house to be used in the film. When I drove by during the filming there was a sign out front that said "DOG" in greek letters. It turns out the movie is about a "good" sorority and a "bad" (not as strong) sorority and the "bad" sorority comes out on top in the end. Never the less, in the interim the portrayl of sorority and fraternity life includes people throwing dildos and all other sorts of charming behavior. While I think the movie will probably be a flop based on its lack of plot, it is good evidence of how a studio that you would trust, like Disney, can negatively portray the Greek System.

Oh dear...
 

I never thought I would see the words "Disney" and "dildos" in the same paragraph. :eek: Walt must be turning over in his grave (or in his frozen chamber, depending who you believe).

Lauradav: What is the name of the Disney/sorority movie? Do you know when it's being released?

Hmm...with the way things are sounding on here, I wonder if MTV will get to do their documentary at all!

"I never thought I would see the words "Disney" and "dildos" in the same paragraph"

:D 33girl, that is too darn funny!!

The name was recently changed to "Sorority Boys." I think originally it was going to be called "DOG Catcher" b/c there is some sort of contraption that is intended to catch women in the foyer of the fraternity house but then some boys sneak into the house in drag or something and get caught.

My understanding from talking to friends who worked on this film is that it has absolutely no plot and is virtually worthless. One of the AD's who I had the misfortunate of meeting is the most vehemently anti-Greek person I think I have ever met. He gave new meaning to being closed-minded.