YOUNG VOICE
Limited Edition
Imported televisions are the talk of the town. Major television stations in our country take turns in bidding for production rights of latest hit television shows on the other side of the globe. More foreign-based quiz shows are squeezing themselves in, thus extending primetime to wee hours of the night. More reality programs and singing contests are getting more support from the public through voting and polls, giving telecommunication networks more income. More remakes of yet another Asian drama mania are keeping the public's eyes glued, providing more debut for promising love teams.
We may see native actors and celebrities in these shows, but it seems that Philippine television has grown out of its name. Our country has a hobby for creating local versions of almost anything coming from abroad. We started from fashion, chocolates, and movies. Now stopping at nothing, we localized imported television shows.
We found a shortcut. Since those television shows have been huge chartbusters in their own lands, we took advantage of such success, sure that it will have the same effect in our country.
I don't oppose such reality for I am also quite hooked to outsmarting fifth graders or spinning wheels for money. I am just anxious of the consequences. On a small scale basis, our means of importing foreign-based television shows resembles a struggling casting agency trying to find a look-a-like of a huge celebrity. Because the celebrity is continously swarmed by millions of screaming fans, one's personality, physical appearance and overall appeal means profit. So, here comes a look-a-like that would copy the big shot and settles for secondary attention, supporting roles and adequate talent fee. The scenario doesn't stop there.
It may be quite beneficial to the look-a-like. It may appear that the struggling casting agency is sucking all the gains using the celebrity's name, but that's only one side to the story. Since you copy someone, you're bound to be an object of criticisms and comments, and compared with the original one. The look-a-like's life will be set to the standards, not of himself, nor the struggling casting agency, but that of the celebrity. What the celebrity does, the look-a-like must follow with twice the effort. Same with any situation. Once you made use of the original, you must avoid scratches; you must not take a detour of what's set by the original.
These television shows based from who knows where are locked from free will and decision making. Filipino franchisers are not in the position to, they can only adopt but never adapt. Call me bitter, but I am guilty of criticizing some copies our country has made. I keep on comparing our own hosts from the original hosts of the show; I keep on contrasting the voice of an unknown yet popular homeowner to his original version. These are quite inevitable, as they come with the decision of copying someone.
Although, I admire and want to be like a lot of people, I like myself to be original. I wanted to be known for my own efforts, not for mimicking others. I want myself to be criticized according to my own standards and not by another 's. I don't want to be a version of, I want to be a rare limited edition. I could not tell if until when this fad of imported television shows may cease. I could not even tell if what other copies our country would be making.
I think it is much more pleasant to hear someone telling you, you set a record rather than you've beaten one. Being original is sometimes quite difficult because you are blinded with the bounties of another's success, popularity or even audience ratings. But wouldn't it be more fulfilling and satisfying that it is your own, and you can make decisions on your own without thinking of what they might say? No one can sue you nor blame you for being original. It's your patent. It's your trademark. Don't settle for looking like someone. Be that someone in your own right.
There's no shortcut.
You have to make your own road.
(For comments and reactions please send an SMS to 09186363090 or an email to reylangarcia@gmail.com. View my blog at http://www.theyoungvoice.blogspot.com)