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A Roshambo “Reality” Show???
Later today, an overseas production crew arrives in Healdsburg to film our Wine Hero (and staff) for a few days. This company is in talks with a major global television network to produce a “fly-on-the-wall documentary” about “a year in the life” of Roshambo. They promise they aren’t looking to craft a “reality” show like the Real World or The Restaurant or any of the others that rely on interviews, tears and manipulated drama. And this is the only reason we would consider such a venture.
Now, if something like this did actually materialize and the Roshambshow is created, it would of course have a tremendous impact on the brand. No longer would we be toiling in (relative) anonymity as the show would air in 160 countries in 37 languages. We’d suddenly have an international platform to showcase our punky attitude and irreverent approach to wine culture, advancing our mission to demystify wine and bring it to the masses. And in a sense, Naomi would probably feel some validation for all the years of blood, sweat and tears she has spent in the creation of her brainchild.
HOWEVER, we do have some major concerns. The most obvious would be in the portrayal of the star (Naomi) and our brand. Even though they assure us this would be an unnarrated documentary, would it surprise anyone if they cut and edited it in a way to create dramatic (and unflattering) storylines? This is, after all, tel-e-vision. But perhaps most daunting is the intrusion into our lives. Cameras following us? For a year? Yikes! We are of the belief that there’s NO amount of press and publicity and brand exposure that can justify compromising our quality of life. And so, I suppose this week will be a good gauge of whether or not we have it in us to stomach the hassle. The hope is that we do and the network likes the pitch reel enough to bite on a series.
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Interesting question.
We wrestled with that that very question when we allowed Mike McKeown to follow the World RPS Society for three years for his documentary. As Naomi and Scott are well aware, we came out of that experience looking way better than we could have ever hoped to have been portrayed. For us, trusting him to represent our world was one of the best decisions we ever made.
If you believe in the director/production company then the potential benefits far outweigh the risk in my view. I assume you have taken a look their past projects to gauge how they turned out. If you know in your hearts that you are approaching your business with honest passion and from the perspective of who you are as a core individual (which you obviously do) then you can be less worried because that is what will end up on film.
Of course if they are bastards they can butcher you to hell, but such is life. You didn’t get to where you are today by running from opportunity. Do you homework and if you believe in them, enjoy the ride. It is at least something that Justice will enjoy showing his kids
Thanks G,
Yeah, you guys did come out looking pretty damned shiny in that forthcoming RPS documentary. And it would be nice to have a cinematic record of this phase in the life of the winery. Plus I think we’d be good on film. We’re like that crazy grandmother at the “Wedding Crashers” dinner table. Only we’re more like the crazy granddaughter, and we don’t call people “homo” or “big dyke”.
Scott
[…] Well, as crazy and deluded and humility-challenged as I may be, there are some blokes who think that the life we are all living here at Roshambo is nifty enough to document for global broadcast. We are still a ways away from signing any deal, but there’s a decent chance this television series will materialize. And if it does and airs in the summer of ’08, I suppose I will have achieved some of that fame that I’ve been shamelessly angling for ever since I wrote Ronald Reagan about my Presidential dreams back in ‘84. After all, your beloved Roshambuddies will be in the hearts and homes of millions of folks spanning 160 countries and 37 languages. […]