Media Industries
Introduction
During this semester we were asked to split up into groups of three to produce one episode of the Media Industries TV talk series on Bronxnet. For this practical field assignment, we were instructed to select two media professionals from any sector of the industries and invite them as a guest on our episode. Throughout this process we were exposed to various theoretical topics about the media industry and was later asked to choose two other group’s segments to critique for a writing assignment. My two choices are group one (Ana Acevedo, Johnsel Montes, Stephanie Feedor) and group three (Jerome Lane, Elena Deas, Joy Tavares).
The Analogy
Group 1:
This interview was conducted by hosts Johnsel Montes and Ana Acevedo with their guest, Robert Dume, a Lehman College alumni who is now “A young well-known media professional and an established Videographer and a Director of short films.”In my opinion, the clarity and quality of presentation was excellent. Johnsel and Ana were very well prepared and the line of questions were extremely reflective of what we learned in class. For example, Johnsel and Ana opened their segment with such clarity that the audience was able to understand the intent of taking a closer look into topics such as reflexivity, networking, internships and below the line workers and how they effect the industry. This clear outline was demonstrated within the first two minutes of the show. Johnsel and Ana were also very assertive in their approach to making certain that their questions presented were answered thoroughly. By actively listening to Robert’s initial answers they were able to ask relevant sub-questions as well. Additionally, the interview with Robert Dume allowed viewers to see that he is an example of a person who provides not only a service to their viewers, but he is a person who shows creative excellence. As what Sean Nixon (p251) claims, people such as Dume must demonstrate a person who shows creative excellence specialists rather than just providing a mere service. In Dume’s case service would mean the acts and presentations he provides over the Internet. On the other hand, both Ana and Johnsel’s line of questioning revealed a bigger picture of the industry where Dume’s career revolves. As such, it was also explained by Rosten (Sullivan p.51) that besides having various social strata in Hollywood, there is a great role that the internet plays when it comes to creating a work community in the Hollywood.
Group 3: professional and personal expierence
The next interview analyzed was conducted by hosts Elena Deas and Joy Tavares with their guest, Kim Osario, who is the former Editor in Chief of the hip hop Source Magazine.
Although Elana and Joy appeared nervous, they were still able to deliver an impressive opening to their segment. The Introduction was clear in expressing the intent to expose issues that women deal with or may experience in media industries, the pros and cons of internships and the rise of social media. When the interview started, the very first question about Osario’s professional background was asked to serve as a starting point of a deeper conversation between the guest and the interviewer. Thus, if we are to think of the audience initial perception, they might have been interested with the interview from the start. The questions that were asked to her, in terms of clarity might have needed a little more improvement if such interview could have been repeated. The reason is that the interviewers did not point out the exact logic or flow of the interview questions in connection with the initial introduction. Some of the questions may have struggled in the accuracy department overall however, Elana and Joy were great at making sure the episode was still very informative. Kim Osario expressed that her career involved surviving in a male dominating industry and her struggles with misogynistic colleagues. She also expressed her opinion on internships. She says that due to new forms of media technology, prospective media professionals should consider using these newer options, like social media, to their advantage as opposed to interning with a large or small company. On the other hand, the reporters, in terms of the way they asked the questions and the overall clarity and quality, may have somehow adhered to the course material such as the line of questioning and the interview pacing. This is because both Elena and Joy asked Kim about her professional career in which she showed her hard-work that took her to the top. In this event, both Elena and Joy were able to show their audiences that in order to be successful, one must be able to adapt the changes within the industry. As what Rosalind Gill (p250) asserted, the interview must show to the audiences that professionals should understand the essence of being on top of their performance in order to adapt changes that continuously happen. Thus, it is important that maintaining our independence in terms of individuality especially at each level of economic hierarchy (Deuze p.10).
Conclusion
These media industries episodes both somehow illuminating when it comes to exploring the professional identities of the people based on the conducted interviews. It was so because the media industry is where Kim Osario’s and Robert Dume’s careers are based upon in which most of their writings could be within the media industries’ line of jobs. The media industries segments were also both able to explore some of the aspects of the industry in terms of production practices, internships, and even the entry-level strategies.
Both the interview between Robert Dume and Kim Osario were able to demonstrate the media industries capability in terms of showcasing various talents within the industry. As such, the production team behind the interview was able to exercise what and how it is to be involved behind the scenes of a specific talk show. The media industries, based on the course material is an industry that could provide jobs in many ways, as there are many involved job specialties in this industry.
Works Cited
Deuze, M. "From Full-Service Agency to 3-D Marketing Consultants." Media Work, Chapter 17. Cambridge N.p., 2007. 199-206. Print.
Deuze, M. "Life is a Pitch." Media Work. Cambridge N.p., 2007. 249-260. Print.
Mayer, Vicki, M. Banks, and J. Caldwell. "Production Studies: Cultural Studies of Media Industries." NY, USA N.p., 2009. Print.
