Reflection 2/24/11 - Some "ladies" do not like Bieber... or Gaga...

Doc Chris, if we were to play this on WLOY Radio, we would be fired on the spot.

On a separate note, we were asked to respond to the conflict in the Middle East and how it pertains to media. I've been tracking a lot of the tweets that people in the countries have been sending, and they've served to raise awareness all over the world. I know very few people who have no idea what's going on there. I also saw a video of a peaceful protest in Bahrain that went bad. It was pretty horrifying. A bunch of people were walking down the street, shaking their shoes at the military as a sign of disrespect for them. The military opened fire on the protesters, and the cameraman hid behind a tree and continued to film the military. When he turned the camera around, there were several bodies laying in the street. The remaining protesters picked up the bodies and started to carry them to the ambulances, and as they were retreating, the military was marching on them and shooting still. I think media like this helps to raise awareness and band citizens together. It also helped spread the revolution from its roots in Tunisia, to Egypt, and now to the rest of the Middle East and some of Africa.

We censor video content in America for a variety of reasons, whether it's to protect the interest of a certain individual or group, to avoid insulting an individual or group, to avoid inciting certain unwanted emotions in the audience, or a number of other reasons. It's very different overseas, even just in print. I've been assigned this news viewing assignment before in high school for a foreign languages class, and it's very, very different. Foreign news seems far more honest.

These two topics contributed to the idea of critical thinking that we covered today. Using the current events that we used as examples was a good way to analyze and stay current. We didn't lecture as long as we usually do, which I think is good. It was more about response today. I like learning in a more "hands-on" type of way, so this worked for me a lot. In other news, we came up with more concrete concepts for our show and the commercials for that show. It seems that we all have the same vision for it.

Doc Chris, here's your evaluation:

You articulated your messages very well to the class today. I think it may have even been better than usual. I liked the analysis that we did. The only thing you lose points on for me is the playlist. I can't help being a hater! But I give you props for your patience and tolerance for such an individual.

Reflection 2/17/10

We're doing our show in this format: 7 minutes of show, one 30 second commercial, 7 minutes of show, one 15 second commercial, and 7 more minutes of show. We're going to actually be selling these shows to people... but what if they're not buying? Do we have to come up with a new concept? Do we do it for free for the sake of the project? The line between class and a legitimate internship is becoming very blurred!!

Regardless, I can see roughly what our interview show is going to look like. I can see it being like something that would take place on the Food Network, like one of those shows that goes around to locally famous restaurants and gives them airtime. We'd get some footage of the place, of ourselves entering the place, sampling, interacting with employees, etc. It would start with that, probably with some sort of voiceover about the place giving some backstory. Then, we would also film several interviews to insert into our show in between the "action." I could see it looking really great! It's going to be so much fun to edit.

While talking prices, I can't help but be pessimistic about the $2500 mark ($500 per 15 second commercial, etc.). As soon as I got to Loyola, I got a job at WLOY and I worked in the Business Department (I have since moved to Production). But I was in charge of contacting local businesses (pretty much all over Baltimore) to sell advertising spots. We had several different options, but the ones that involved commercials were very particular. The Grey Package is $250, includes a limited amount of 15 second mentions, a spot on our website, and participation in our Loyal Listener Card, among other things. The Green Package is $500, which is the same as the Grey Package but everything is just about doubled. I had a VERY tough time getting any money out of businesses around here even with all of these perks, and that's from the position of an established, up-and-running organization that they're all familiar with. Based on my experience in ad sales, I really don't see these places purchasing advertising from a group of four barely trained college students who aren't affiliated with any organization and who can't guarantee any legitimate television airtime. I don't know... I'd be surprised if they went for that, and I'd be happy if they went for that, but I'm not optimistic. Sorry, Doc Chris! I'll believe it when I see it ;).

Then we learned the basics of Final Cut Pro. I was really excited to learn this program, and it's not much different from the audio editing programs with which I am very familiar. In fact, everything basically works the same way, just with the addition of the video. I love editing programs, so this was really fun for me. I'm excited to actually begin using it for our own videos. Dr. Dunmore was very effective in his lesson. I picked up everything quickly, and I know it's going to stick.

The Family

Here's a copy of our slideshow for our pitch. The font is really important.

Reflection 2/10/11

Since the initial miniature reflection, we have done a bit more. We came up with a treatment and script for a PSA for domestic violence. Everyone got involved in the writing process, be it with ideas or with grammar tips. I'm guessing we're actually going to film and produce this too. I liked seeing something like that develop so quickly and easily, then seeing people bring it back and edit it. Everyone was part of the creative process. Doc Chris was really effective in drawing the ideas out of us, which was fun. I'm more excited to learn about the editing process that Doc Chris is talking up so much. I love audio editing, and I'm excited to branch out into video editing.

We also got a little preview for the interview process. There is a formula for interview shows: intro, show opening, show close, outtro. That's something we really need to discuss in more detail for The Family, because I'm guessing that's the one show that we're not as familiar with. We've all seen plenty of commercials and PSAs (I've even produced some), but interview shows are more obscure.

I'm hoping that, in the next few minutes, we'll be able to narrow down our proposal options and focus our ideas so we have a better vision for what we'll be doing this semester.

Miniature Reflection 2/10/11

So far, we've discussed the production process. As we've stated on Facebook, there are three parts to the production process: pre-production, production, and post-production. Right now, we are in the pre-production process, making out pitches and coming up with ideas for our shows. We will be pitching shortly; The Family has a very appropriate slide show put together and is dressed in all black for the occasion. Don't mess with us.

Doc Chris, you are lacking no enthusiasm for feeling under the weather. I'm digging the idea of getting paid in this course, and I'm really excited to just start these projects! A lot of work goes into this, it seems.

Reflection 2/3/11

1. Everything we did in the first assignment was about learning how to get practical experience as a producer from the pre-production perspective. Pre-production is the key to success!
2. History lesson on what happens in Hollywood entertainment and what it means to us.
3. It's about creating a hook to get people to buy your product or video.
4. Be aware of free sources to distribute your content (i.e. Youtube).

Fran, one of the members of the Family, has some ideas for our video project, which is nice to have already. I've been thinking about PSAs as well, as that's my job at WLOY. We've been keeping up with each other over our Facebook group and are planning on meeting sometime soon to really get into our project. My camera is broken but I think we'll have access to another until mine is back in business.

Again, Doc Chris made his presence known upon walking in. There was no lack of enthusiasm. Some of the material was a bit difficult to follow (mostly the history) because, once he thought of something, he'd think of something else that was relevant and talk about that. Eventually, I was able to keep up and gather all of the information. My favorite part of the class was Doctor Chris' Court. It was hilarious. You don't want to be on it, but you do, because it's really amusing.

Snow Week?

It's the third week of the second semester, and I still have yet to have a full week of school (my only class was canceled on Tuesday). I wanted to take advantage of the snow days, but my boots, coat, hat, and scarf are all piled up neatly next to my front door... back home in New Jersey.

Therefore, I took some pictures through my window of the day it was snowing.

You can't really see that it's in the process of snowing, but it is. Oh, and did I mention that I live on the ground floor of a residence hall? Yep, this is what it's like to live in a dungeon - complete with bars on the windows.

The snow level was higher than our window.