The biz of Tweeting

MANILA, Philippines - They are like birds chirping showbiz issues and twitting hot properties day in, day out. This is the kind of business Q-11’s Tweetbiz paparazzi Danzen Santos and Sebastian do. They are always on their toes to get the latest showbiz news to satisfy the public’s curiosity.

“It’s more of my curiosity about this thing and that thing and knowing the smallest details,” paparazzo Sebastian describes his and fellow reporters’ brand of paparazzi-ness.

“Getting a scoop is a (hard-earned) point in your favor because you get a good story, and there’s a fulfillment that comes with it,” he elaborates on their job on Tweetbiz, which airs weeknights at 7. “You can be proud and say it’s your story.”

How do the paparazzi get their stories?

For Danzen, it begins with her interest in stories and people. This she brings to work. The only difference is, she and fellow paparazzi talk about larger-than-life personalities not the ordinary Juan or Maria in her neighborhood. Danzen finds her job enjoyable because it’s just a continuation of what she does off-cam as Citizen Danzen who loves to people watch.

Reading stories in the papers is a must, shares Sebastian. This helps the paparazzi keep abreast with local tinseltown’s goings-on. Having friends with celebrity connections counts in tracking down subjects or asking for an interview. At the end of the day, the paparazzo’s job boils down to his knowledge on issues. Like any reporter, this is his sole basis to ask the right questions and to get relevant information.

“We were briefed about the do’s and don’t’s such as what are the things we can only tackle,” recalls Sebastian before their bosses let them go out in the playing field. “It’s difficult and challenging because the viewers always want something new and beyond what they read in the papers.”

“I follow journalism ethics,” shares Danzen. “We were told that the artist should know that he’s on cam and the conversation is recorded. The interview should not be done in a private place like in his house. It has to be conducted in a public place.”

Every day, the paparazzi hang out in cafés and visit malls to come up with stories. They are always on the lookout for a possible showbiz angle or celebrity sighting. Wherever they are — be it in a cab or a bus, their eyes have to be literally open and the camera in their cell phones must be on to capture the celebrity’s unguarded moment.

Leading and guiding the paparazzi are showbiz insiders Tim Yap, Mr. Fu and Sam Y.G. The three assess every story. They determine how interesting or gossipy the stories for the day are. Justine Ferrer, Gorgy Rula and Ron Carrasco are also part of the paparazzi circle and beat daily deadlines.

You can’t fault Danzen and Sebastian if they sound competitive or act desperately sometimes. They have to submit at least one story a day. They also help each other in getting stories. Often, the paparazzi exceed the quota.

“Sometimes we also offend others (and hurt their feelings) without the intention of doing so. Then, we have to apologize,” says Danzen.

“We need data, videos, photos or even screen shots from the computer to back up our stories,” she continues. “We need an evidence or supporting material.”

With those nitty-gritty of TV reporting, who says covering showbiz is as easy as ABC or one, two, three?