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Reality-Based
Reflective Post: Up Close and Personal with Life After Reality TV
While working on my rough draft of my documentary about life after reality television, I realized that there weren’t many documentaries on this subject. Throughout the course of my documentary I’ve had the position as an insider on my subject. Over the years I’ve seen my brother’s career rise and dealt with the “So You Think You Can Dance?” obsession from outsiders.
I can recall so many encounters with people obsessed with SYTYCD and individuals who were hungry to have their 15 minutes of fame. It’s sad to see how many people are willing to do anything in order to have their time in the spotlight, even if that means attempting to ride off the coats of others. Even though my brother has achieved a certain amount of acknowledgement in the dance/entertainment industry, I’ve never been the type of person to just ride off his success.
My role in this documentary and in my interactions with my brother’s dance career and “15 minutes of fame,” has been a role of support and knowledge. I aim to let others know about the reality of a dancers life and how shows such as “So You Think You Can Dance?” only help a dancer so much in their career. Being on a show like that doesn’t guarantee success and it shouldn’t be the main mission for a dancer. In my documentary Jamile briefly talked about how he strives to make a name for himself that is based upon his amazing talent and character, not riding off the SYTYCD claim to fame.
I gathered quite a bit of material for my documentary but had to shorten it in order to meet appropriate time length for my Multimedia Composition class. This topic of a dancers life and coming off a reality show, is a topic that can easily be an hour long documentary. I’ve collected a lot of footage as an insider on this topic, but one day it would be interesting to possibly talk to other dancers as well. I haven’t felt any discomfort when discussing the subject and shedding light on the reality of the aftermath following reality television. It’s been fascinating!
My hope is that people will begin to discuss more about reality television and the truth about being on season 1 of “So You Think You Can Dance?” It’s a shame how so many of the dancers from the first season have sort of been forgotten by the producers, yet they have had successful careers around the world. Interesting…
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- Reflective Post: Life After Reality Television (thinksoul25.com)
Reflective Post: Life After Reality Television
As I approach the final two weeks of summer classes, I’ve begun preparation for my documentary. I’ve chosen to do a documentary about my brother Jamile McGee and his life after being on “So You Think You Can Dance?” In 2005 he wowed audiences with his amazing dances moves on the first season of SYTYCD and six years later he has a wife, a passion for choreography, and a dream to live a stable yet exciting life.
I found this subject interesting because many people over the years have always asked me about his career and what it’s like having a brother that is rich. Whenever people find out my brother was on SYTYCD, they always assume his must be rolling in money. The life of a dancer is one that has it’s up and downs; the glitz and glamor of reality television don’t ensure riches.
I personally know a lot of my subject for my documentary; I mean come on now, I am his only sister. I’ve helped him out a great deal. From managing his social media sites, networking, helping him with his website, and just being a support system; I’ve been there through all the years. Within the allotted time I will inquire about life after reality television and show my audience that reality tv doesn’t guarantee fame or happiness.
This documentary is going to be concise. I have done some research about life after reality tv and also this obsession with desiring fame. So many people want to be in the public eye and be famous, but it’s not all that it’s cracked up to be. Reality television sucks. It’s fun to watch but the aftermath is brutal. The great thing about Jamile is the fact he never planned on being on reality television. He just happened to audition and from there things took off. He doesn’t like to live off his “So You Think You Can Dance?” days, he prefers to make a name for himself as a choreographer, husband, and a normal guy that loves to dance.
He may have toured all over the world, petted lions, eating fine cuisine and stayed in luxury hotels, but he is still a normal person. Jamile doesn’t have a lingering desire to be famous or on a reality show again, he just wants to make money and build a life for him and his wife.Now that’s reality.
©Jasmine McGee
ThinkSoul25
