The privacy of the famous - artistic integrity

[Amy Z]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at y..., "Saitaina" <saitaina at w...> wrote:
> But on the same side, the fans do create the career.  

Very true.  It's all a matter of degree.  How much is owed the fans?  
JKR writes, I pay--seems like the transaction is finished there.  I 
agree that simple graciousness requires that most people in her 
position give the occasional interview, assuming of course that the 
press is equally gracious with her.  She has given way more than 
anyone can fairly expect, and I hope her fame will never be a burden 
to her.

> The life of the famous is a choice between privacy or stardom

Again, that seems fair to me until "stardom" means "allowing 
paparazzi to stick microphones in your face even in the most intimate 
moments of your life."  E.g., Madonna's wedding:  I don't even like 
Madonna or her music, but I think she has the right to be married 
with only the people she invites in attendance.  She owes photos to 
nobody.  JMHO.

Sometimes, too, there is a real question of artistic integrity.  As a 
Dylan fan I often find that reporters, and many members of the 
audience, are extremely irritated at him for not playing __________ 
(fill in pet favorite), or, more often, for playing it radically 
differently from the original recording.  Does he owe anyone a repeat 
rendition of "Like a Rolling Stone"?  (Of course, there are plenty of 
fans who'd feel cheated if he DID do a repeat rendition, myself among 
them!  I can listen to that for free.  When I go to a concert I want 
to hear a new interpretation, not my record collection.  But I 
digress.)  He is an artist and has to answer first to his art.  
Otherwise he becomes merely an entertainer, giving people what they 
are comfortable with and not challenging them as artists, IMO, ought 
to do.  

JKR has already wrestled with this as her books have gotten darker 
and some people have expressed discomfort with their being 
inappropriate for the 7-year-olds who, as we all know, are devouring 
them, terrifying scenes and all.  She's said in no uncertain terms 
that she is going to follow her vision and that the parents need to 
judge whether the kids are ready to take it in.

Amy Z