Invisible Party For An Invisible TV Show, Lacoste, New York
June 1, 2010
Last night I headed to an invisible store where an invisible party was taking place for
a TV show with invisible characters. Why so invisible, you ask? Because I was sent a personalized invitation saying the invisible party would love to have me there, which would lead you (or me in
this case) to assume the invisible invitation sender knew photos I shoot are included in my column -- YET within seconds of arriving, I was told this would not be the case. And you KNOW that makes
for a fun column.
I had just dropped my parentals at La Guardia a few hours before heading out to the invisible store. Mannequins were replaced by live-action humans who managed to look
just as bored. I'll leave the store alone, though, because their heart was in the right place: all guests were given a Lacoste gift card to spend that evening with all proceeds benefiting Doctors
Without Borders, part of a larger partnership that includes invisible TV station. Good work, Lacoste!
I would love to tell you about the food, but wouldn't you rather see a photo? Here, let me... oh, right.
Now, I should say that a publicist type
that shall remain nameless did offer to ask if I could have special shooting privilege alongside "inhouse photographers" which is nice and all, but I've said this before, the discomfort
for both of us can be easily avoided with a note in the invitation stating "no outside photography allowed" or, and this requires the most effort, even just glancing at my column. A quick
eyeball reveals photos in every single piece. Polite and PR type returned saying I could shoot for 15 minutes, "but you can spread it out, just don't have your camera out the whole
time," which said to me this wasn't a 100%-blessed allowance.
I left soon after because my photographic memory was in the repair shop. On my way out I walked by two actors from a certain Showtime nurse-centric show. One, sporting teeth
bracelets said, "So... then there really is no point in us being here," which prompted me to introduce myself with the same lamentation.
I seriously don't understand the kibosh
on reporters with cameras. If you need to limit the amount of outside photography due to an inhouse contract, figure that @#$% out before you invite reporters who do write and shoot double duty.
First come, first served and all that. Is it really that bad to photograph "the cast, other VIPs, talent and tastemakers" (ripped that from the coaxing invitation) benefiting Doctors
Without Borders while eating truffle-oil-drizzled bits and sipping on the champagne?
Tonight better delete the ridiculous evening of yore from my memory with a gala boasting such A-listers as Grover, Cookie Monster, and Vice President Joe and Dr. Joy Biden.
That's right, I'll be covering the Sesame Workshop's 8th Annual Benefit Gala at Cipriani 42nd (the one without the bee infestation!). At some point soon I'll
nail down my plans for Internet Week New York as well, and share with you where I plan to go in case you'll be running around in the same circles!
Send those clear invitations about
whether or not you allow photographers to kelly@mediapost.com -- and your party will not be invisible!
Yes, that's me as a hot 5th grader (I
think).
*corrected charity name around 4:00p.m.