What Can Be Done to Fix the Influencers vs. Journalists Divide? Let's Look at CinemaCon

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CinemaCon, wherein studios preview their slates to theater distributors in the hopes of drumming up business, ended this last weekend. Audiences got first looks at Michael B. Jordan's Thomas Crowne Affair remake (excited!), Zach Creggar's new Resident Evil movie (nope!), and The Social Reckoning (meh!) to name a few. But on the 17th, a post from content creator/influencer Draven Mayberry, also known as DravenReacts went viral on Twitter after he decried the belief that influencers shouldn't be attending CinemaCon.

The post went viral, with arguments made from both influencers and entertainment journos, for and against what was being said. Those who were against influencers brought up complaints ranging from influencers talking during presentations, not being aware of who certain directors were, and recording at inopportune times. There were many complains that, unless the movie came from Marvel or DC, influencers generally weren't interested in it. Andrew J. Salazar, co-owner and managing editor of the site Discussing Film tweeted: "I'm not anti-influencer but the ones who get chosen to cover CinemaCon shouldn't just be Marvel/DC hype people. There's little variety. OR, at least they should have enough decorum to not be talking super loud during the presentations and actually be educated in the event."

These complaints are retreads of what people have been saying about influencers for awhile now. Though it's interesting that average people, even outside of the film world, are starting to get tired of it. We saw it a little bit when Wuthering Heights came out back in February, and it's continued through the likes of Jake Shane doing his shtick during the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party.