Kia Ora,

What with all the controversy regarding TV ads that depict trans-people in a 'humorous'[not necessarily derogatory] way, some are actually quite cleverly done, whilst others can be somewhat crude and at times subtly ridiculing ...I have a few questions....

::)What I mean by the thread title , is do you think 'any' company that uses a trans-person *in a humorous/light hearted way* to sell their product is being 'disrespectful'  ?

Or do you think that 'an ad's an ad' and so long as one does not deliberately go out their way to ridicule[mind you some people/groups are known for say some outlandish things and behave in ridiculous ways]  'all' are fair game ?


When it comes to humor [at other people's expense] it can be quite difficult to know where to draw the line...But I'm under the impression most advertising companies, don't go out of their way to 'offend' sections of the general public, [to shock maybe, 'shock value' tends to stick in the viewers/potential consumer's  mind] but not to deliberately 'offend'...Why bite the hand that feeds you???

Abe Lincoln once said "You can please some of the people some of the time-but you can't please all of the people all of the time!" I wonder what he meant by this ?


So would you appear in one?

If so why?

If not why not ? 

*Have you ever 'appeared' in one ?*

Metta Zenda

Of course I would, they pay well, the residuals are awesome and I'd get a Screen Actors Guild card.  What's the down-side?  Oh, yeah, that some people can't distinguish between reality and theater.  Well I can and I do.

Yesssssssssss.

And before everyone jumps in with their "NO NO NOs" I'd just like to say that among the things that never cease to amaze me is what people are willing to do when you put the money on the table and turn the cameras on.

Quote from: tekla on January 04, 2012, 08:47:09 PM
And before everyone jumps in with their "NO NO NOs" I'd just like to say that among the things that never cease to amaze me is what people are willing to do when you put the money on the table and turn the cameras on.

Kia Ora Tekla,

There are some trans-women who would do it for free[The camera's the mesmerizer -money's just the by-product], for the 15 minutes of fame...I've met a few...

Metta Zenda

Oh yeah, fame is the most powerful drug I've ever seen work, even the lure of it is killer.  But when you find out that top-tier national commercial in heavy rotation is going to pay for, say, FtM top surgery and then some, it adds to the equation.

Quote from: tekla on January 04, 2012, 10:45:43 PM
Oh yeah, fame is the most powerful drug I've ever seen work, even the lure of it is killer.  But when you find out that top-tier national commercial in heavy rotation is going to pay for, say, FtM top surgery and then some, it adds to the equation.

Kia Ora Tekla,

So true, that's definately a juicy carrot for some...

Metta Zenda

  If it's for subway heck yes!! 

definately a juicy carrot for some

Considering the amount of people in here who have no job at all, that $10K for a few days work (excluding the fame deal even) would buy me a lot of 'degrading' behavior.

Quote from: tekla on January 04, 2012, 11:14:36 PM
definately a juicy carrot for some

Considering the amount of people in here who have no job at all, that $10K for a few days work (excluding the fame deal even) would buy me a lot of 'degrading' behavior.

Kia Ora Tekla,

The only downside is once 'out' there's no going back...I guess one can only hope that people [of importance] have short memories...

Metta Zenda

No problem then, I don't know any important people who would not be able to, as I said above: distinguish between reality and theater.  I'm in show biz, it's a show biz job, that's it.  I'm no more responsible for the content of the ad then I am for the content of a Marylin Manson or Celtic Thunder show.  It's like if anyone could pick me out (and not likely, I was way in the back) of the big crowd scene in Milk and assume that I was really gay, as opposed to being gay for pay for a day.

Quote from: Zenda on January 04, 2012, 08:30:11 PM
::)What I mean by the thread title , is do you think 'any' company that uses a trans-person *in a humorous/light hearted way* to sell their product is being 'disrespectful'  ?

Yes it's disrespectful.  If they used people of certain races, people with amputations, disfigurements, or any other disabilities/differences in a commercial/ad and made them the butt of a joke would that be ok?  No. 

I got $ASD7000 for a day of BBQ sausages in front of a gas station. I was in the bgd, and sick of the smell of sausages. No one eat them but I did the free food.

I was cut from the final version.

I'm waiting for my invite to the soOcars.

If it got me laid, probably.

But that's me talking now. In daylight hours...well I'd say the same thing, lately. Historically I've had some pretty hardcore morals, though. I don't draw any hard lines for what I will and won't do, but I'm sure most companies would need to offer either a pretty amazing argument or pretty amazing incentive for me to shill for them.

The pay is just silly.

$100 per hour is what I got. This was a few years ago. And as I said I BBQd sausages. Sorry $700 dollars, not $7000 whoops.

The fame got to me,

Mmmm, juicy carrots. Dammit my head is not on straight at all.

I've been in a handful of documentaries, and some news reports, and some indie films. Nothing important, and only one as my true self. It didn't, like, sear my soul or anything. Nothing about my life was altered. I think I walked away from each incident ethically unscathed.

Kia Ora,

There are some trans-people who would sell their soul [along with their grandmother]for a chance of fame and fortune...If they had a soul and grandmother that is....

Metta Zenda

Perhaps, but the people who actually get to do it are people who understand its' a job first and foremost - they want the fame and fortune but are unwilling to put in the work necessary to achieve it.

It would take a heck of a lot of money for me to go on TV, ever, for any reason.  I like my privacy.  Fame is one thing that I never want. 

After my one advert, I was waiting for the agents to beat their way to my door. I had gossip ready for the trash papers. I had my nude photos ready and hidden. And the video of Brad making love to me was ready to load onto FB.

Still waiting. Fame is so fleeting

Cindy