I got the email from AFI last night:
Thanks so much for your interest in SilverDocs. Unfortunately, the press office only accredits press from a recognized outlet.
Nonetheless, I would encourage you to attend. Perhaps you can even wrangle some filmmakers for an interview.
So The Penguin isn’t the New York Times or the Washington Post. That doesn’t make its content — or its readers — less legitimate. So I wrote back:
It would be unfortunate if a member of downtown Silver Spring’s media were unable to cover downtown Silver Spring’s premier event. I urge you to reconsider my request for a press pass.
Come on, AFI! It’s not like I’m making any money as a citizen journalist. I can’t afford $50 for a Pete Seeger flick and after-party. That money would be better spent on a restaurant review of Ray’s the Classic. (Still working on that, people.)
Until I score that complimentary press pass, The Penguin will deliver curbside coverage of all the beautiful people walking in and out of the AFI Theatre.
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[...] about reporter Jennifer Deseo’s big problem on SilverBlog, The Penguin’s official coverage of the 2007 AFI SilverDocs film [...]
If it’s any consolation, Springbrook High wouldn’t give me a pass into Lewis Black’s homecoming show at the end of this month . . .
“You had me at hello.”
Your blog was very refreshing and interesting to me… then you took this personal vendetta public. BOO!
Get creative… it will feel better than crying.
Tom Collins said:
“Get creative… it will feel better than crying.”
Mr. Collins, my middle name is Creative. (It was a family name.)
And Penguins don’t cry. They get even.
Editor’s note: Tom Collins is director of sales and marketing for Atlantech Online, which was a corporate sponsor of the SilverDocs festival in previous years. Collins did not respond when asked to disclose any current business interests that either he or Atlantech may have with AFI or SilverDocs.
Yeah… well… it reads like crying to me. Not real creative, imho. “I didn’t get a press pass. SilverDocs stinks!”
I suppose you not getting a press pass does not make up for the fact that SilverDocs has helped put Silver Spring back on the map. Were you there when Tony Hawk and Company were on a closed down Georgia Avenue creatively skating back and forth and wowing a crowd of thousands at the first SilverDocs? How about when Lynda Carter introduced her Wonder Woman stunt double who is still working to support her third stunt generation daughter and helped tell the story of the unknown and un-named stars of action television and film. Or, were you there when Jehane Noujaim, a very creative female director, introduced her important film “Control Room” that depicted Al Jazeera coverage of the first weeks of the invastion of Iraq?
I read your blog with respect and admiration. But now, you’ve lost a consistent visitor (which you probably don’t care about now that you are a big shot) because you’ve chosen to write about your personal vendetta against a film festival that has helped turn this town around, inspired many with its creative genius and helped get out stories of people who would remain faceless and nameless save for the courage and creaivity of their documentary film makers.
As a citizen, I respect your right to say how you feel. But, as a citizen I also reserve my right to let you know how I feel. I think you are wrongfully besmirching a local treasure that many have worked hard and a long time to see come to fruition. Shame on you for claiming to be a member of “the press” and then using your “ink” for smearing “the story”. Your actions have illustrated for this citizen why you didn’t deserve a press pass after all.
It’s called The Silver Spring Penguin, NOT the Silver Spring sheep.