• Style
  • Home
  • Family
  • Life
  • Culture

A Girl Named PJ

The “American Blogger” controversy

April 11, 2014

american blogger movie poster

The hot topic on social media this week has been this trailer for the upcoming documentary, American Blogger. Yes, this is a real film and not a Saturday Night Live parody (or Airstream commercial), as JB thought when he caught a glimpse of the video the other night.

The trailer has been receiving criticism from the larger blogging community (#americanblogger) for its hokey narration and self-important vibe, as well as its portrayal of bloggers as predominantly young white women with perfectly un-done hair who live in eclectically designed (and incredibly organized) homes.

I have to say… I understand the backlash. While I respect and admire many of the women interviewed in the film, all 51 of them are friends with the filmmaker’s wife, a successful mommyblogger herself. I would argue that such a limited demographic doesn’t truly represent the “American blogger.” Also, I imagine that most of them earn an income off their blogs — and most of us don’t.

From that perspective, the project feels more like a promotional video (and a pretty darn good excuse to travel the country!) and less like a documentary about a potentially interesting subject matter… though I suppose I should withhold my judgement until I see the entire film. But what do you think?

(image via American Blogger)

Related Posts

  • Have you seen these funny Adele videos?Have you seen these funny Adele videos?
  • That viral IKEA videoThat viral IKEA video
  • Action movie kidAction movie kid
  • Happy New Year!Happy New Year!

SHARE THIS POST:

Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter


11COMMENTS | Life

« White Converse sneakers for spring
Weekend reading: link roundup »

Let’s Discuss

  1. Jewel at Eat.Drink.Shop.Love

    April 11, 2014 at 11:30 am

    I agree that this movie shows no diversity. But name one top minority blogger. Um you can’t because the media doesn’t showcase a diverse range of bloggers. So this guy and his wife probably doesn’t know that there is a wide range of diversity in the blogging community.

    Reply
    • Jessica

      April 12, 2014 at 8:30 pm

      Chescaleigh.

      Reply
      • PJ

        April 16, 2014 at 8:34 pm

        Thanks for sharing!

        Reply
    • Erika

      April 14, 2014 at 1:23 pm

      Any filmmaker worth their salt would do research and find that top minority blogger. If they can’t they would ask, hey why aren’t there more high profile bloggers of color? If he calls himself a filmmaker he should act like one and do his due diligence.

      Reply
      • PJ

        April 16, 2014 at 8:33 pm

        I tend to agree with you… However, the more I think about the documentary, the more it becomes apparent that the filmmaker wasn’t necessarily trying to cast a wide net. As a first-time filmmaker, he reached out to his wife’s friends. I’m sure he thought they had a variety of stories to offer… though they probably aren’t varied enough for a broad audience.

        Reply
    • PJ

      April 16, 2014 at 8:51 pm

      I’d imagine that the filmmaker and his wife know that the blogging community is diverse. I mean, right? But perhaps there aren’t minority bloggers in their circle of blogging friends that they chose to interview.

      Reply
  2. Marta ABilingualBaby blog

    April 11, 2014 at 12:06 pm

    Hi! I’d love to see the film. I think it may be really interesting to listen to the stories these bloggers are going to tell. Many people criticize it because it may not be representative of the whole blogging community in the US, but I think it makes sense to interview people you know, you like, you read. I guess their goal is not to document life in general, but life of specific people they think have a good story to tell, and stories are interesting to me.

    Reply
    • PJ

      April 16, 2014 at 8:48 pm

      I think you hit the nail on the head: Chris and his wife looked to the bloggers they knew and respected for stories to share. Doesn’t make it bad or wrong, but I don’t think you can really call it a documentary about the “American blogger” with such a limited demographic.

      Reply
  3. Tori Johnson

    April 11, 2014 at 11:40 pm

    Thank you for writing about this. I, personally, read several of the blogs included. And I find all of them to be impactful and full of love and grace. I also follow Casey Wiegand’s blog and I think it’s amazing that these stories are going to be told. Stories of the grief of miscarriage, the love of a child with Down Syndrome, the accomplishment of a small business utilizing bloggers, and so many others. Casey’s response today was also truly genuine and made my heart hurt for them.

    Reply
    • PJ

      April 16, 2014 at 8:41 pm

      I also read Casey’s response and thought it was very heartfelt, too. She and her husband certainly could not have predicted this sort of backlash when they set out to make a film about something so personal to them.

      Reply
  4. Brianne

    April 21, 2014 at 12:20 am

    Since I was out of town when this all blew up, I’m just catching up on it all now. Its interesting to me, because this “face” of blogging has sort of become the norm, and I guess I’m just ok with it, but I’m also a white 30 year old in a design field, so maybe I don’t have a right to be upset. I’ll have to think more on it.

    Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

PJ Photo (lefty)

CONNECT Social Links (righty)

LET'S
CONNECT

Pages Menu (lefty)

ABOUT PORTFOLIO CONTACT

120×600 AD Banner (righty)

“WORK With Me” Linked Graphic (lefty)

Archives Button Link (lefty)

Subscribe Links (lefty)

SUBSCRIBE

RSS FEEDLY BLOGLOVIN' EMAIL

Search – full width

DIVIDER IMAGE

Featured Series Squares

FEATURED
SERIES



DIVIDER IMAGE

Friends & Sponsors Ads

FREE
DOWNLOAD


DIVIDER IMAGE

RECENT
PINS

KINTO's Slow Coffee Style Specialty mugs show traces of handwork on the potter’s wheel with a unique expression of a two color layered glaze. Mixing luster and matte textures, a profound scenery is created to enrich your coffee time. The supple shape fits well inside your hands, and the wide arched handle that connects smoothly to the cup makes it comfortable to use. Choose from White x Pink Beige, Moss Green x Yellow, Navy x White, or Black x Brown colorways. Sold individually. Specifications C
Follow Me on Pinterest More Pins
I HAVE MORE TO SAY
JOIN MY NEWSLETTER
Exciting updates, bonus content,
exclusive giveaways

LET'S
CONNECT

A LOOK INTO MY LIFE
FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM

    Copyright © 2023 A Girl Named PJ / All Rights Reserved / Disclosure / Privacy Policy