Fraternity/Sorority Life may be coming to my school!

MenaceKiller · #1 10-31-2002, 03:01 PM

Apparently, California State University, Northridge is on MTV's radar as the next school they may film Fraternity/Sorority Life. And guess what? They want to interview my fraternity TODAY!

Their executive producer and crew are going to be making a conference call interview today, where 3 other brothers, myself, and our faculty advisor will be fielding questions from them. I'm really nervous, and this is like super cool and silly for me.

I hope it'll go well!

Tini · #2 10-31-2002, 03:28 PM

I don't really post much but I do read the board a lot. I felt compelled to write to you. I can tell you that the consensus amongst the members here is that MTV's portrayal of Greek life is distorted and has damaged our image. I have experienced the effects of this on my campus. My sorority was also approached by MTV but we quickly turned it down.

If you're set on doing this, please take your time and think it over VERY carefully. There is a huge thread somewhere about this that you absolutely must read to get the full picture.

MenaceKiller · #3 10-31-2002, 03:38 PM

Of course. Everything must be fully considered before we can even think about moving forth with this whole idea.

I've been polling our members and the general consensus is that so far, the majority are for it and want to find out more about it. I'll do another search for the aforemented thread, thank you for the head's up.

Kevin · #4 10-31-2002, 08:22 PM

I seem to recall the members of SAEPi on this board saying that it's not all it's cracked up to be. You might want to look at those threads.

sigmawannabe · #5 10-31-2002, 09:33 PM

This is just a reminder, anyone that is in the media can be twisted into what the director/producer wants to be shown. I am not saying anything is bad about MTV, but people see what they want to and the media just adds to that.

lionlove · #6 10-31-2002, 09:51 PM

Just to reinforce what others have said, Julie from Real World - New Orleans spoke at my school a few days ago and she said that her life on the show was edited to make her look completely one dimensional. They focused on one aspect of her life and completely exploited it. She also made the point that MTV is shown around the world and the stereotype that foreigners have of American youth comes from programs such as Real World and Sorority Life.

If you feel that your fraternity is so flawless that it can only be shown in good light, then go for it. I doubt however (knowing human nature) that your fraternity has no moments of weakness

chideltjen · #7 10-31-2002, 11:15 PM

update: i emailed SAEPi when my group was getting emails from MTV. They finally emailed me back, i guess they were inundated with emails. I guess they had a pretty good recruitment. 15 or so girls. kudos to them.

MenaceKiller · #8 10-31-2002, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sigmawannabe
[BIf you feel that your fraternity is so flawless that it can only be shown in good light, then go for it. I doubt however (knowing human nature) that your fraternity has no moments of weakness[/B]

Oh, hardly. I rather expect they will exploit us, however, the question is, in what way? I'm actually rather interested in them PAYING us to find out our weaknesses and bringing them to light so that we can FINALLY get out of a rut of being negative and intolerant of ourselves...

The phone interview went rather well -- my guys brought up the issue of communications access to the producer, which probably will kill our chances, but hey, you never know!

Tom Earp · #9 10-31-2002, 11:48 PM

Mary had a little lamba! She and her family were hungry, so Mary led the lamb to slaughter so they could eat!
Da!

Remeber, MTV or anyother News Organization will never show Greek Life In a Good Note! It is not hot news when we as Greeks do good work. When something Bad happens, that is news!

texas*princess · #10 11-01-2002, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ktsnake
I seem to recall the members of SAEPi on this board saying that it's not all it's cracked up to be. You might want to look at those threads.

totally agree here... even on their website they have links to news stories and basically said it wasn't all that great...

Kevin · #11 11-01-2002, 11:15 AM

Well if they ask enough groups SOMEONE will bite. I don't think MTV will miss its deadline in the next show.

GeekyPenguin · #12 11-01-2002, 12:43 PM

We have a Lambda Sigma Pi at my school...it's also a local, our chancellor is an alum...

I personally wouldn't do it, we're NPC so we'd never be asked, but I don't think it could do anything good for the chapter. I'd always wonder if people were rushing because they wanted to be on TV or they wanted to be in our house.

MTV did a very poor portrayal of Julie. She is from the same town I am, and they portrayed it so differently than it really is. They made us look like small town hicks who are so sheltered - we're 20 minutes from Milwaukee and are a smaller suburb...

Tini · #13 11-01-2002, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MenaceKiller

I'm actually rather interested in them PAYING us to find out our weaknesses and bringing them to light so that we can FINALLY get out of a rut of being negative and intolerant of ourselves...

Wow... it's like you haven't read anything people are telling you on this thread. Is it all about the money? I don't understand how MTV will bring you to the light, and make you more positive and tolerant of yourself. LMAO... How laughable is that? If anything they'll show the world all the negative things (maybe even distort good things) and leave you in the dust to deal with the ramifications.

If you already believe that your organization has problems, you don't need MTV to expose them. Have a meeting with your brothers and start from the inside. Don't let MTV expoit you. Or do you want the money and nice house that bad?

I hate to say this but I feel so sorry for you!!! I'm sorry for all Greeks.

Good luck.

MenaceKiller · #14 11-01-2002, 02:02 PM

Quote:

I hate to say this but I feel so sorry for you!!! I'm sorry for all Greeks.

Ouch! Tini, that stung!

Seriously, yes, I am listening to what everyone is saying -- and I understand that there are strong feelings against this whole idea of MTV making greek life out to be negative and sensationalistic. I can understand that people don't get the best of perspectives from the show, and probably wish this whole idea never happened.

But, so what? It's show business. No matter what, we'll never be shown in the way they want to be perceived unless it's dramatic, and we all know that normal, nice Greeks AREN'T DRAMATIC!

I'm open to the idea, and I welcome a challenge. Maybe it'll be more than I bargained for, but in the end, it's a chance of a lifetime and something new for all of my guys.

Kevin · #15 11-01-2002, 02:07 PM

Whatever happens you'll probably survive it. It'll be interesting if nothing else.

If you do actually go through with it and are selected I wish you guys luck. I hope that it brings more good than bad.

No one here can really be sure what the outcome is. It certainly couldn't spell the end of the road for you..

I think for the most part many of us, not knowing you all are nervous about being portrayed in a certain light. You may not realize it but this isn't just portraying your chapter. It's fraternity life in general.

So all we ask of you is please don't screw things up too bad

Seriously though.. good luck.