Wimpy PR bozzo!
Films critics, filmmakers, and a smattering of hangers-on pining to be bona fide power-brokers in the dream factory (Hollywood and the movie biz) - are ecstatic over the surpising (but welcome) exit of John Wildman from the PR headquarers locally at AFI.
In recent weeks during this year's AFI screening extravaganza (amidst the old-world charm of the Roosevelt Hotel) I - for one - waved adios to the AFI par-tay on the heels of atrocious back-stabbing childish behaviour by PR man (wimp) John Wildman.
I should preface this article by noting that when I first applied for press credits way back in 2008 for the AFI Fest that year, Wildman was clueless about my background (and rise through the ranks over the past decade or so) ) in the industry.
Consequently, he was inclined to grudgingly offer up a press badge - and throw me a bone or two now and then.- when it suited his whim.
Other reporters, bloggers - and the like - also complained non-stop nauseam about unfair treatment - triggered by an ego that was blown way out-of-proportion - especially in view of his lack of actual skills, talent, smarts (whatever).
There is a wise old saying that applies in this instant case in respect to my own run-in with Bob Gazalle's "house" boy.
"Never underestimate your adversary or - at a minimum - be aware of what an individual is capable of when you're sparring with them."
Because John wasn't familiar with my own realm of success - for instance - it wasn't until later that he realized what a heap load of sh** he stepped into due to his lack of, ethics, and non-existent intelligence.
Even when he got a rude awakening one day, he was too stupid to licks his wounds, apologize, and make amends.
For example, during a particularly explosive day on the circuit, I proceeded to pen a post on his incompetence, bad attitude, and arrogance.
In addition, I proceeded to point out all his failings as a PR Director, and how it negatively impacted the AFI Festival.
In response - he fired back with a nasty remark or two on my blog - in a bold-faced effort to embarrass me (which simply amounted to a bit of tit-for-tat).
But, I exercised my first bit of power right away; subsequently I didn't feel the graze of any of the stinging bullets he tried to whiz my way.
I not only ingored his barbs - but poste-haste - relegated the poorly-written attack (which amounted to a twisted and distorted interpretation of the facts) to the trash bin.
Next time we crossed paths, he proceeded to whine over the incident in front of onlookers, and had the gall to infer he'd been quite nice to me!
Fooey~
He's the kind of bastard who smiles to your face, then once you turn away, he stabs 'ya in the back.
John made a grievous error when he also played games with more poweful media types than he.
For example, if a reporter or host rubbed him the wrong way - or didn't kow-tow to him or his staff - he'd make sure their coveted spot on the red carpet was in nowhere-land (at the end of the roped-off area where the poor schmuchs would essentially be viewed as cast-offs or lowly good-for-nothings)
Normally, by the time attendees got to that end of the gangway, they were being dragged away by equally rude and insulting underlings with no people skills, either.
Of course, all the Public Relations folks were pretty big nothings, in my opinion.
Most are failed actors, or wannabee producers, who have an itsy-bitsy piece of power shielding their clients (sometimes big stars) from the media, moguls, and tawdry social-climbers.
On many occasion, I laughed, when I witnessed their clients getting no press at all because the journalist was mistreated and put off by the public relations person's bad attitude.
If John Wildman had any ethics, sense of professionalism - or even an ounce of compassion - he would have stacked all the nameplates into one neat pile, shuffled them vigorously, then laid them out on the red carpet in the order they appeared from the top.
But John is too dumb to conjure up smart ideas like that.
Beside, Wildman loves rubbing journalist's noses in sh**.
In the alternative, he's all over them like a dirty shirt, brown-nosing.
Of course, I never put up with any of that bull, no sir!
I just kept notes, and embarrased the hell out of him and his staff, at every opportunity.
When I travelled to Dallas - you'd think that John wouldn't have been forewarned - about the perils of crossing moi!
Especially when you consider he realized early on - quite by accident - that fighting me was a "no no" he should avoid at every cost.
For instance, one day John was googling himself (yes, that's how vain he is) when he was shocked to stumble on a negative profile I penned on him.
He griped to one guest at the Festival lounge in Dallas - that there was an unsavory "review" of his public relations career skills - because of me.
That's how dumb John was.
I was quite aware of the fact that because of my stature in the industry - and due to the fact I wrote features on high-profile individuals - that I was pretty highly-ranked on search engines.
I knew right off-the-bat when he ran interference, and mistreated me, that he would end up all over the internet with a bad rep if I reported on his unprofessional conduct, ego-stroking, and selfish conduct.
Now, you'd think John would have learned his lesson, right?
No, he dug his heels in, and persisted with his shameful disreputable conduct.
On one occasion in Dallas, he actually lied and told me an event I wanted to attend (which I had been invited to by the organizers &sponsors) wasn't on the fest schedule!
Later, he relented, and admitted there was a special function for kids at Victory Park.
"I thought the tattler wouldn't be interested in the event because it was for kids," he waffled in his defense unconvincingly.
Was he kidding?
I have always loved being involved with projects for children; in fact, on numerous occasions I have promoted highly-lauded oganizations such as KIDS First, etc.
Even though that issue was ironed out to my satisfaction, with an apology to boot from Wildman, his sleazy conduct continued.
When the AFI was preparing to kick off their 2009 Festival in Los Angeles in November, for example, I whizzed off an e-mail requesting my press pass for this year's celebration of film.
For a couple of days, John ignored my e-mail, in spite of the fact he assured me in the fall of 2008 that I was "family" now.
Yeah, he's such a phoney!
Should I have bowed down and kissed his unwashed feet?
Push came to shove, when a couple of journalists (and moi) were insulted on the opening night of the AFI Fest, after a premiere red carpet screening.
I sipped on a beer for awhile, and then elected to take in a private party at the poolside bar, at the rear of the Roosevelt Hotel.
A tall imposing Afro-American guard - after catching sight of my press badge - barred my path and gruffly ordered me away.
"No press allowed," he snarled in my direction.
I understood that, no problem.
On occasion, celebrities pine for a bit of privacy, at after-parties held by the sponsors.
So, I drifted off to rustle up some action, elsewhere.
Shortly after, a couple of journalists spied me chug-a-lugging my beer in the main bar, and dashed off to let off some steam.
"I can't believe it," one reporter bellowed.
"They treated us like dirt."
A second journalist piped up.
"We give them thousands of dollars of free publicity and they have the nerve to treat us like that."
The next day, I e-mailed John about the nasty incident, so he would be aware of the fact media types did not appreciate the way they were being treated.
In response, he zipped back a communication, in which he curtly informed me that my reservationn for a red carpet event the next night was cancelled because of a lack of space!
And, get this, he didn't even bother to respond to my complaint issues!
The next day - after a post I penned was published on the internet tossing the spotllight on the despicable behaviour of staff members (and guards) going down at AFI - he e-mailed a second communication noting that another reservation for the next night's screening was also cancelled due to a full house.
Well, I wasn't born yesterday, nor do I have stupid written across my forehead.
Fortunately, the films I was intent on screening, were part of the Envelope series sponsored by the daily paper (Los Angeles Times).
So, I caught the flicks at the Landmark Theatre in West Los Angeles.
Betta!
I was treated well - (free soda and snacks) - and was among my "people" not jacka**es like Wildman.
Needless to say, I have not responded to any of their press notices since then, nor have I bothered to waste my professional time giving them any publicity for their festivals, top ten lists, or special functions.
Now that John Wildman has departed, I have informed AFI that I may consider covering their projects in the future once again.
Hopefully, Bob Gazalles - director of the AFI Fest in Los Angeles -will hire a professional, competent, and well-mannered individual capable of treating industry folks with a little more respect than the "Wild" man!
Like moi!
Kidding.
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