Video Post: Tech Predictions for 2012

Following Andrea's social media predictions for the new year, Steve offers his predictions for technology in 2012. He covers an increased focus on television, the future of webOS and possible surprise acquisitions that could shake up the market.

Online Audition Ends on a High Note

Two weeks ago, Sara wrote about the open casting call that Fox's "Glee" was holding on MySpace. She raised some good points about the potential reactions by both fans and professional actors alike.

And while her article ended on a note of uncertainty about the contest, the one thing that can't be argued is the success the online auditions have had since then.

The numbers don't lie, with over 85 million votes cast for the nearly 28,000 entries that were submitted throughout the month-long contest.

In fact, the online auditions were so popular that MySpace and "Glee" re-opened the auditions (which ended on Tuesday) for an additional 24 hours on Wednesday.

So even though fans of the show and professional performers will likely continue their debate about the validity of online open casting calls like this, the overwhelming reality is that more shows will probably try to emulate the huge success "Glee" was able to have.

Ex-Gleek Critiques

As an ex-show choir member, Fox’s “Glee” holds a special place in my TV heart. However, “Glee” complicated our relationship on March 30 when it announced its MySpace open casting call to “fill new high school student roles.”

With an increasing number of contest talent shows like “So You Think You Can Dance” or “Next Top Model,” there is no denying these types of casting calls are popular. But what’s the value of these casting calls among professional performers? I spoke with two of my friends, who also happen to be professional actors, on the issue.

Minnesota-based actress Elizabeth Grullon recently appeared in Mixed Blood Theater’s “Somebody, Nobody” and performed with the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival. Elizabeth mirrors my social media enthusiasm for the online auditions.

“I am not hesitant at all to do a video audition for something I am interested in being a part of. The heavy promotion makes me more likely to audition simply because I know about it and I know it is legit.”

Even though she sees the value in these auditions, she feels the her performance is skewed due to poor user-generated video production. The collective spirit of these types of auditions is exciting and you hope that people receive recognition that normally wouldn’t.

Sam Prince is a working Broadway actor who recently appeared in “Robin & the 7 Hoods” and “The Happy Elf.” Sam reflects the performer in me, and views the auditions with major skepticism, considering them part of the “quick fame propaganda.”

“You don’t really know who’s viewing these submissions and what level of professionalism they’re really looking for ... Since I am professional, I have a team of about six agents behind me, submitting me for jobs, dealing with contracts, etc. ... I view it more as viral marketing campaign if anything.”

Sam’s doubts are echoed by the Terms of Submission page for the contest, which never specifically defines the role or the pay, and includes a potentially dangerous promise that you will not have other contractual obligations. This will discourage many professional actors from even submitting.

Social media-based campaigns that include these open casting calls are exciting tactics, but it’s important to remember the experience and concerns of the participants. Social media has pushed public relations to be more transparent, the campaigns should reflect that trend. Be clear on what you are promising the lucky winner, and define the submission evaluation process in lemans terms, not only in legal speak.

“Glee,” it’s a speed bump in our relationship but I still love you, my heart will go on.

Gupta Good For Our TV Nation

The choice of Dr. Sanjay Gupta to serve as Surgeon General is inspired. Anyone criticizing President-elect Obama's decision to tap the CNN correspondent into one of our country's highest healthcare posts doesn't understand the nature of the position. Essentially, it is the Surgeon General's duty to educate the public on all public-heath issues, such as obesity, HIV disease, smoking dangers, and other various ailments.

In other words, he dumbs it down so us regular folk can understand why fatty foods kill you.

Gupta already does this in spades on television and as an insightful columnist for TIME magazine. He's perhaps the most prominent public health figure in our culture; a classier, better polished, more-reputable Dr. Phil, though I hate to make the comparison. Gupta's also one of the loudest voices continually stressing the importance of preventative care--staving off disease before it arises. What a novel idea, huh?

And if we need a guy to shame us into changing our eating habits and sedentary lifestyles, I can't think of a better authority figure than the reassuring and telegenic Gupta. Like any good doctor concerned with the health of his patients, Gutpa scolds you but never forgets to smile and stress that it's never too late to change. He's like the coolest guidance counselor you ever had in high school. And that's exactly what this fat and easily-offended country needs; firm but gentle guidance.

While we spend billions of tax-payer dollars overseas to fight an external threat to our security, domestically we're slowly eating ourselves to death. Does anyone else see this absurd disconnect in our leadership, or am I the only one?

Something needs to be done. Why not restrict fast-food ads to prime-time television or ban them completely on Saturday mornings? We don't allow Big Tobacco to advertise on television, yet heart disease kills more people than smoking-related illnesses, and nearly every commercial break at every hour during the day features a McDonald's or Domino's pizza advertisement. Do we really want the health of our nation's precious children to rest in the hands of corporate lobbyists petitioning their government???

I absolutely loved the section in the phenomenal Wall-E aboard the space station (coincidentally named Axiom) where all the humans were grotesquely overweight and relying on robots to do even the most basic of tasks while they remained blissfully motionless in their personal floating orbs. Of course I laughed, but it was a nervous, stilted laugh. Such brilliant prophesizing in a children's film could make anyone scared for our future.

So, if we live in a society influenced more by network television shows and celebrity gossip blogs than the New England Journal of Medicine, then perhaps a guy like Dr. Gupta is just what the doctor ordered.

Charlie Hobart is a Senior Account Manager at Axiom Marketing Communications in Minneapolis, MN. He also writes about politics, pop culture, and American lifestyles on his blog, The Chuck Wagon.