The Changing Face of Celebrity - a speech by Geoff Peters

Speech #6: Vocal Variety, Best Run Toastmasters, Vancouver BC Canada
by: Geoff Peters geoffmobile.com
March 22nd 2012

Title: The Changing Face of Celebrity

Synopsis: Geoff talks about the historical exclusiveness of the “celebrity class” of people, introduces the idea of “micro celebrity”, and talks about how anyone can become a celebrity in their own way.

Speech Summary:
Around 10 years ago, I had my first celebrity crush. I won’t go into details of which celebrity it was, but let me tell you that I had all the physiological symptoms of being in love: my heart rate increased, I felt giddy and light headed, I bumped into things, and I couldn’t think about anyone else. Yes, I was in “love” with a celebrity, as much as a 20 year old can be.
Fortunately, a few weeks passed, and the burning object of my desire faded away into the normality of every day life. I hoped that one day I would find my cupid’s arrow pointing at a real human being, and around five years later this happened. Love. Of the one-on-one variety. But I digress. As a logical and inquisitive person, and having first experienced a “celebrity crush” I was suddenly fascinated by the whole concept of a “celebrity” and the whole enterprise: what would it feel like to be a celebrity, would it be normal?

But in today’s talk I am not going to explore the topic of what it might be like to be Justin Bieber or Britney Spears. After all, the private lives and behind the scenes have been covered extensively in documentaries and “made for MTV” specials. Today I am going to talk about what I call the “changing face of celebrity” or more specifically, how it is possible for common people to become their own “micro -celebrities” and how being a celebrity is no longer such an exclusive club.

1. What is a celebrity? Celebrities are admired, have a personality and a “story”, and have influence. Example: Carmageddon. Lady Gaga
Ashton Kutcher: 9.8 million followers: LAPD askd me 2tweet: 405fwy btwn 10 & 101 will b closed July16-17. In xchange I would like a free pass on that stoplight tickt IT WAS YELLOW

2. What is changing about celebrity? Youtube is allowing ordinary people to become “micro celebrities” in their own way. (a matter of scale, spheres of influence, tribe, shift from (pro to masses), to (creators to smaller audiences) Examples :Justin Bieber 18 million followers (rose to fame from a Youtube channel), Cooking with Dog (200,000 subscribers) Geoffmobile (146 subscribers)

3. Advice for budding celebrities? Use the power for good, be true to yourself (consider editing/revising). Help the world: focus locally: volunteer, support the arts, environment, spread goodwill. Can have political influence: David Suzuki, Wind mobile, tuition fees, Occupy. True to yourself: be who you want to be, and then allow people to become your fans, rather than trying to be what other want to be.

So in conclusion, a celebrity is admired, has a personality, story and influence. Ordinary people can “put themselves out there” and become mini-celebrities in their own way. And if you’re an aspiring celebrity, be true to yourself, and use your influence to impact the world in a positive way.

Thanks for watching. For more videos from Geoff, please rate, comment, and subscribe!
Geoff has more videos on his website at geoffmobile.com

Have a great day!
Cheers,
Geoff

For more information about Best Run Toastmasters club in Yaletown, Vancouver BC Canada, and how you can join us, please email Geoff at geoff.peters@gmail.com

Technical notes:
Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC-HX7V
Audio recorded on a Zoom H1 and processed in Audacity.
Video edited with Adobe Premiere Pro CS5.5 on a Windows 7 Dell PC (Intel i7 and USB 3.0 for a faster workflow).

Closing and opening music by Laundryman (the Vancouver electronic band). Visit them on facebook at:
www.facebook.com/pages/Laundryman/332946393418686

The Changing Face of Celebrity – a speech by Geoff Peters

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