Phone Call 7/20 — Walk Away

[Juliet RParticipant]

Hello. I am a journalist and I was approached by a PR firm regarding the Tension Experience early this week. I responded positively to the PR person and received a phone call today.

The call came from a blocked number, and the man on the other end indicated that he represented the OOA and though I had been approached about writing a story, I should not proceed. He instructed me to walk away, and noted that if I exposed them, they would ‘expose’ me.

Now, I’m not the sort of writer to walk away from a scoop, so I guess we’ll just have to proceed! Perhaps I could interview one of you.

[Sean (@TheGilded)Moderator]

There’s certainly no shortage of people who are willing to be interviewed.

I am a little curious though… Did you join Tension 3 months ago but only just get approached by a PR firm a week ago?

Have you worked with this PR firm before? Have you ever heard of them?

[Mustafa SaidParticipant]

I would be fine netting interviewed. You can PM me if you want.

[Anonymous]

Wow interesting! I’m not in LA so I don’t think I’m your average participant but I’d be happy to help if I can. The LA folks have definitely been to more live events though.

So you were contacted by a PR firm…to do what? Cover the experience for something?

[AH-layParticipant]

Where will your story be shown?

[Michael RizzoParticipant]

@jbrylah Was the firm PlanB PR? They were part of tension just for a bit so it’d be interesting if they came back and contacted you.

[MikeParticipant]

I’m sure anyone here that’s an active participant would speak to you, but would that be a risk you’d be willing to take based on the call?

[MelissaModerator]

I kinda like your “pfft, go ahead and expose me” attitude!

Where will this article be posted?

[Juliet RParticipant]

The firm was not Plan B. It was a different one. I joined Tension a while ago as a spectator, but I believe their PR firm contacted my outlet (LAist) because of articles I have written in the past about such topics as escape rooms, haunts and immersive theatre. At least, that’s what their message indicated. So, in that regard, Tension would have already had access to my phone number from when I joined the forum a while ago. I did receive an ambiguous call from them several weeks ago, but nothing else until today. It appears their tone has changed now that they are identifying me as a writer, not an inductee.

I think we’re fine with the risks. For now. I think an ideal time to publish would be mid-August. Anyone who is interested in talking about their experiences in spite of this threat can email me at juliet@laist.com. That’s my work email.

[BlondieParticipant]

*Admiral Ackbar impression alert*

It’s a trap…

[AmieParticipant]

I agree, I think almost everyone here would be willing to speak with you about their experiences. It’s interesting they don’t want a story written.

[MikeParticipant]

I wonder if you’ll get another call from someone representing the BoS…and having that person tell you to expose them

[Juliet RParticipant]

I am but a servant of public information.

Usually people just want me to expose their neighbors for letting their dogs poop in their yard, so really, this it’d be a great break in pacing for me.

[BlondieParticipant]

Hmm @jbrylah, I did some googling and you do check out… Tension teaches you to be wary… I guess you’ll get plenty of volunteers, and there’s heaps of information on here if you’re willing to do the work, but for my part, if they don’t endorse it, then I’m afraid I’m not gonna get on board. Good luck!

[Juliet RParticipant]

No worries, Blondie. This seems to be my role in all of it, but I think it’s good if some of us don’t attempt to anger them. Just in case.

[AH-layParticipant]

Funny how the invited Blumhouse to do an article but yet they have a problem with this one being published? Something doesn’t add up, what do they think will be uncovered?

[BlondieParticipant]

It seems to me that Tension have built up a relationship with Blumhouse and so trust them to promote their message as they wish it to be promoted. Anything else is an unknown quantity and as such cannot be trusted… Or maybe they’re just pushing Juliet’s buttons, like they enjoy pushing all of ours. Giving her a bit of the *real* experience 😉

[ReidVParticipant]

Never trust anyone without a profile pic 😛

[Juliet RParticipant]

I received a second call from a woman. She seemed frantic. I could hardly hear anything she said because I was at a busy intersection in Silver Lake. She said that it was too late for me because I had already filled out OOA’s questionnaire.
This morning, I received another email from the PR firm, completely oblivious to all that has been going on. Or so they seem.

[CodyParticipant]

What was the content of the e-mail?

[Anonymous]

Most likely nothing important.

[MariaWCParticipant]

Juliet’s article went live here: http://laist.com/2016/07/21/in_too_deep.php

OOA’s response on facebook just went up too: https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTheTensionExperience%2Fposts%2F1756659754577742

[AH-layParticipant]

Sooo many thoughts going through my head!

[MariaWCParticipant]

I can’t help but wonder if these consequences will tie into the events of tomorrow….

[Andrew KaschParticipant]

Fantastic article, Juliet. Welcome to the rabbit hole!

[Author]

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