BY SONAM MIRPURI
IRVINE, CA - Bringing three outstanding people from their respective careers in the arts together from around the world to talk about the predicament that has become the arts was an eye opening experience. This industry now faces an assortment of crisis: deficiency in funding, diminishing patronage, and lack of visibility.
IRVINE, CA - Bringing three outstanding people from their respective careers in the arts together from around the world to talk about the predicament that has become the arts was an eye opening experience. This industry now faces an assortment of crisis: deficiency in funding, diminishing patronage, and lack of visibility.
Paul Hodgins of the Orange County Register; V. Ramnarayan of Sruti Magazine on Indian Dance/Music, and Mallika Rao of Huffington Post, were the three panelists who came together for a panel discussion titled “Writing in Dance” on Sept 2 , the first of two nights in the event `Dance Conversations: Dancing Communities, Dancing Cities,’ which took place at the City Hall Conference and Training Center here. At the moment there are a variety of changes and challenges the media industry faces. “There are no full time staff members at the O.C. Register, print journalism is not doing well, performing arts coverage has declined, and review articles have disappeared,” said Hodgins as examples of some of the problems the industry is currently facing. Ramnarayan and Rao were in agreement to what Hodgins mentioned. Additionally, Ramnarayan made a few more points emanating from his experience as Editor of Sruti. “There are a small number of readers who are interested in Indian classical music and dance and there is a concern of maintaining interest without diluting the content as well as a lack of writers,” said Ramnarayan. Although there are a wide range of issues the industry continues to face while attempting to cover the arts, one of the goals for the panel discussion was to talk about the role the media can play in reshaping the focus of the performing arts. “Do not underestimate the power of complaining,” said Hodgins who after making this statement explained how the advertisers have power and a voice about what happens because they help to fund the paper. Readers as well have power and a voice. If there are enough people making the same or a similar statement then the people managing the paper have to listen. Advertisers and readers have the responsibility.
Ramnarayan made an interesting point as he spoke about how to increase the number of expert writers. “Retired cricket players become commentators. Previous performers who are experts in the arts because they have performed or trained should learn how to write to become the writers,” said Ramnarayan. The other option is for writers to watch a lot, read the history, and familiarize themselves with the material prior to writing the piece. “It is important to understand before writing,” said Ramnarayan.
In order to continue and thrive it has become important to move with the times. Embracing the internet is an option to stay relevant.
“I do not consider my work properly published unless it is online,” said Rao. The internet is a tool which should be utilized. “There are some encouraging signs of new ways of coverage for the arts. Social media is all about connectivity,” said Hodgins. Page views are considered important as well which means popularity and spreading the word is a good way to increase the arts coverage. “Ideas need to be shared,” said Rao. In order to endure this strenuous time and be successful it is necessary to move with the times.
Ramnarayan made an interesting point as he spoke about how to increase the number of expert writers. “Retired cricket players become commentators. Previous performers who are experts in the arts because they have performed or trained should learn how to write to become the writers,” said Ramnarayan. The other option is for writers to watch a lot, read the history, and familiarize themselves with the material prior to writing the piece. “It is important to understand before writing,” said Ramnarayan.
In order to continue and thrive it has become important to move with the times. Embracing the internet is an option to stay relevant.
“I do not consider my work properly published unless it is online,” said Rao. The internet is a tool which should be utilized. “There are some encouraging signs of new ways of coverage for the arts. Social media is all about connectivity,” said Hodgins. Page views are considered important as well which means popularity and spreading the word is a good way to increase the arts coverage. “Ideas need to be shared,” said Rao. In order to endure this strenuous time and be successful it is necessary to move with the times.
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