There’s been a lot of online buzz around the Web 2.0 segment that showed on Carte Blanche last week. I haven’t been able to jump in, because I’ve had a week of back-to-back speaking engagements (in fact, as the segment was showing, I was participating in Talking Heads with The Heavy Chefs, and Mr. Cherry). Interestingly – I mentioned to someone that I was bleak to have missed it, and they assured me that someone would post the video online before I got home – and sure enough, Tyler had the scoop that same evening!
I think I can clear up at least a small part of the debate regarding the depth of the show, who was “chosen”, and whether Web2.0 was well represented or not…
In July last year, the independent producer of the segment, Barbara Folscher, attended Nomadic Marketing at the GSB with me. About 3 months later she told me about her idea for the show, and we discussed how it could be portrayed.
In February this year, after Barbara had spent a significant time back-and-forthing around the story-line, researching, and refining the content for Carte Blanche, all the filming took place in a whirlwind 3 days.
Carte Blanch segments need to be positioned around issues of importance for ordinary South Africans. i.e. it wasn’t trying to summarize what the Web 2.0 industry in South Africa is all about, but rather how is affecting people’s lives.
Overall, the aim for the show was to raise Web 2.0 and the Mobile web as an emergent issue for people in SA. It was meant to give people a sense that things are changing quickly, perhaps too quickly. This was meant to be a little scary for some, and exciting for others. It was not meant to be in-depth analysis of new media in SA, but a primer to spark interest in the subject among regular viewers.
Like all good television, it also needs to be entertaining. To be entertaining around a subject which also needs alot of explaining is no mean feat. So a protagonist was needed – someone to develop the story around.
The first person I thought of was Rafiq, because he is fluent and active around the both the web and mobile web. I think he was perfect in this role, he spoke intelligently, clearly and with integrity.
Saatchi Creative Head, Allan Kent, was identified for the Ad industry commentator, but he graciously deferred the role to his CEO, Gail Curtis due to her high level vision around the subject and the industry (and the fact that she happened to be in Cape Town around the time of filming).
All the people selected to be involved in the segment needed to be in Cape Town because the actually shooting needed to happen within 3 days, and the crew needed to get between Rafiq and the other interviewees quickly.
I really enjoyed being a part of it, although I must say that being interviewed by John Webb was nerve-racking! So much to say, so little time!
Finally, here’s the clip for those who missed it, courtesy of Zoopy.com:
p.s. A follow-up email I just received from Barbara tells me that Carte Blanche “have had a fantastic reaction from the viewers” about the programme:)
Dave, thanks for this information. I still remain that if a story is under such heavy time constraints and it’s integrity is restricted by time and location that it shouldn’t be run. Rather hold it over, do more research, speak to more people and get the proper vibe.
I don’t think this was achieved at all. Even if you are saying a “main character” was required you still need background and grounding for the story.
Sorry dude, I still think it was badly handled as a piece of journalism for an apparently reputable institution such as Carte Blanche. Their research seems to be on a downward spiral as of late.
Dave, I am glad we caught the same show, in the same universe.
Spoken like a true gentleman … man Dave you really are on top of your game dude.
I quite enjoyed Nic Harry’s post on the subject and agreed with almost everything that he said, especially with reference to the responsibility of journalists to inform, but can also appreciate that entertainment sells and that there we logistical advantages to filming in one city etc.
Good job nonetheless, you are the guru…
Thinking about the segment a bit more I think the reason why it grated me a bit is because it didn’t explain some of the fundamental themes very well. It is almost as if the meaning was lost in the rush to get the filming done and then in the compression of 3 days filming into a few minutes of largely flashy and confusing imagery.
I agree that Rafiq was a great choice and don’t really share the view that the segment wasn’t represented. Rafiq is young and very knowledgeable about this stuff and I think a lot of people can identify with him. Another impression I got from the video (watching it from as objectively as I could) was that this “Web 2″ thing is something reserved for younger people and isn’t really all that relevant to “older” people except where mainstream media adapts to the younger generation.
I am tempted to say that the short duration of the segment necessitated the incomplete treatment of the topic but I don’t think that flies. The segment could have been better written to explain the basic themes better to the “ordinary” South Africans Carte Blanche seems focussed on and the presenter could have adopted a less skeptical attitude towards the whole thing.
Either way, at least Carte Blanche did a segment on the topic. It has certainly taken long enough and from the feedback Carte Blanche seems to have received, it did boost awareness of a flavour of Web 2.0, albeit a bit confusing.
Dave,
Super stuff. An excellent introduction to web 2.0 in an South African context. I’d like to hear more about the SA mobile innovations. I’m also glad to see the UCT programme is thriving.
Regards from Germany.
Thomas
[...Overall, the aim for the show was to raise Web 2.0 and the Mobile web as an emergent issue for people in SA ...]
I think that Carte Blance’s piece on Web2.0 in SA was well done,
Rafiq & Dave were excellent in explaining the whole Web 2.0 in SA at the moment,,,
so, i just don’t know why people are bitchin…
Come on Peeps?
Thanks for your comments and support guys.
I’m not too sure how to respond to these comments. I’ve said my bit. Barbara, if you’re reading this, perhaps you could respond?
Now we know who to blame for the follow up Carte Blanche on Web 3.0.
Yes Mr Duarte – you better get a bigger slot next time!
Nice show. I enjoyed it. Haven’t watched CB since the 90’s so it was great that it was about a topical issue I am hooked on. Or into. Or ….whatever. I enjoyed it.
Anymore documentaries coming up that you are ‘involved’ with which we should know about Dave?
Web 2.0 and SMM’s drawcard is that it’s diverse and multi-tiered. My first thought on seeing the show was ‘Great, generating awareness’. Such a short snippet would never be all things to all people, especially those of us who eat, sleep and breathe online. The show has people talking, in fact as far as I can see, even this blog post has had the most response of recent posts. That’s SMM
I rest my case…
Thanks for the clarification and post Dave, it does clear up a lot of unresolved questioning. I do agree with a few of Nic’s points, but overall it was ‘awareness’ that was created (whether or not people actually understood what that awareness was about – thats another question) thanks again though, you and Rafiq were excellent ambassadors
I missed the show – didn’t know you where THAT famous.
Should have asked for an autograph at our meet today.
Well done Dave – you were as impressive as always.
Hi
I agree with Paul Jacobson, I’m in my 40’s and when I start speaking to the younger generation about mobile internet they look at me funny, almost if you are a pervert, fooling around on mixet or something.
But the show (C/Blanche) help a bit with my business, now the people start to see how important is a mobile website.