Paparazzi

:For the article on the 2004 film, see Paparazzi (movie).

Related Topics:
2004 - Film - Paparazzi (movie)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Paparazzi is a plural term for photographers who take candid photographs of celebrities, usually by relentlessly shadowing them in public and private activities. The term paparazzi is often used in a derogatory manner. Originally, it referred to Italian celebrity photographers who learned that a picture of a movie star throwing a punch was more valuable than pictures of stars smiling (celebrity tantrums are a common entertainment story in the mass media). It is this antagonistic interaction that is the true hallmark of a paparazzo (paparazzo is the singular form). However, the term is often used erroneously for photographers who merely take pictures of people of note.

Related Topics:
Photographer - Photographs - Celebrities - Private - Derogatory - Movie star - Celebrity tantrum - Mass media - Hallmark

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Use of the term derives from "Paparazzo", the name of a news photographer character in Federico Fellini's film La Dolce Vita. Paparazzo has no meaning in Italian. It is a word invented by film director Federico Fellini

Related Topics:
Federico Fellini - La Dolce Vita

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In Hong Kong, paparazzi are sometimes called "puppy teams", either because they "dog" (closely follow) their subjects, or by analogy with the behavior of puppies around people.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Technological developments in cameras (such as stronger telephoto lenses and higher speed films) enable paparazzi to "shoot" (English slang for capturing a photograph) their prey from afar, and unknown to their subjects. Minaturisation allows tiny palm-sized cameras that can engage in what is effectively secret photography. Furthermore, digital cameras and transmission methods allow for rapid distribution of the pictures.

Related Topics:
Cameras - Telephoto lenses - Films - English - Slang - Secret photography - Digital camera

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Due to the annoying reputation of the paparazzi, some states and some countries (particularly within Europe) restrict the job of the paparazzi by passing laws and curfews, and by staging events in which the paparazzi are specifically allowed to take photographs.

Related Topics:
Europe - Curfew

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The prescence of paparazzi is not always seen as annoying, though. In fact, the arranger of an event may, in order to make his guests feel important, hire a number of actors that pretend that they are paparazzi, so-called faux-paparazzi. This was, for instance, seen at extravaganza events during the dot-com boom.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~