The Role of the…Audience?

It’s not just another show about teenagers….and it’s not MTV. High school confidential marks one mother’s attempt to delve into the lives of teenage girls armed with a camera. And as a whole, the attempt is astounding. Taping 12 girls for 4 years and then putting all that footage into an 8-hour event? That is quite an ambitious undertaking, especially for a first time filmmaker. Really, for any filmmaker. To be able to put this together, along with the exceptional musical choices, is really mind-boggling.

After seeing the trailer some time ago and now the final product, it is clear that the trailer is better than the show. For a while I couldn’t understand it. But thinking about it more, I finally understood why. (For the trailer I am referring to…. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBG-pul6gOw)

And as a whole, the trailers and openings are fast moving. We are introduced to all the subjects in a quick manner. Each girl has a very different story. But once you try to delve deeper into those stories, one at a time, the shock factor, speed, and sincerity seem to fall apart. As a crowd, it’s shocking: suicide, marriage, pregnancy, drinking, eating disorders - all coexistent in a group of twelve. But pick them apart and focus on two stories at a time, and something happens...

Despite the attempt to showcase what happens in high school, the show simultaneously makes the problems seem common day. Instead of truly delving into the issues, I feel that girls were simply listing their problems. Perhaps it is because 4 years are being told in an hour, or because of the pairing, which is additionally and exceptionally problematic…

Take the episode about Caitlin, Beth, and Lauren. Caitlin and Beth’s fractured family life is a complete 180 from Lauren’s family. And the voice over will stop at nothing to remind us of that: “While Caitlin’s family struggles to stay together…Lauren’s support from her family helps her excel at school.” Suddenly, the show insults an entire family and pushes the fault onto parents. Almost all pairs have this comparison. The show suddenly turns into family vs. family, not the sharing of a high school diary.

The show’s entire success rests on who the audience is. A girl similar in age to those portrayed may not find these testimonies shocking. I don’t feel that moved about this show but perhaps that’s because I’m 21 and was in high school 4 years ago…Older audience members may not recall high school experiences as being quite like this. This issue boils down to a very different question – should the validity of a show depend on the audience? Is something effective when it only works with certain audiences?

This may be a greater question that I don’t know the answer to.

Personally, I feel that if a show’s strength is dependent on who watches it, it is not a successful one. But I guess that’s true for all shows… right?

How do you feel?

- Michelle

mdelateur@eiconline.org