This week we had a pleasure to witness a guest talk by senior research fellow: Dr Ramon Lobato. He raises a number of interesting points, which reflect on a great shift in media consumption. Broadcast media on television is on the decline and online media platforms such as Netflix and YouTube have taken over. Using multiple references to different texts, he mentions both sides of the argument for new media.

In my own personal opinion, I believe that the ability to have control over the content I consume through online media is a wonderful feat. Since YouTube provides free content, advertisements usually come alone with it as well. However, the way that they have integrated ads and algorithmically catered consistent themes to different audiences, makes ads less annoying.

Later down the track, Dr Lobato touches and evaluates through a discussion on Netflix as a media platform in contrast with Television Broad Cast media. Further referencing more text and the web, Dr Lobato illustrates the many perspectives that people of different social status had.

Like YouTube, I had to agree on the quote that was referenced from the book: “The Long Tail” by Chris Anderson in the lecture. I have noticed that individuals like myself who are not financially abundant, but want to experience the world of media at an affordable price. Prior to Netflix, Television shows and movies were either not easily accessible or to expensive to watch. Netflix has allowed the opportunity to enjoy good videos without sacrificing an arm and a leg.

Only a small section of a vast library of media

Link: https://g.foolcdn.com/editorial/images/151322/consumer-goods-streaming-media-netflix-nflx-content_large.jpg

Showing the homepage of Netflix and realising that this only a small percentage of what is offered, just amazes me. This is simply because I can achieve a grand consumption of media for such a small price.

This week we take a break our focus from visual media and all the administrative stuff that comes with it, to bring our attention to sound. Listening to this talk by Kyla Brettle felt like familiar territory and  almost de ja vu like as I have heard her perspective on formulating an audio piece run almost parallel to what I have learn in my Sound Design Elective this semester. She did , of course, shed new light to the topic, which is:

“Cut straight to the action and the most interesting content you have”

It was refreshing to hear this and to be reminded to essentially not waste time analysing the entire recording. Having a firm understanding of the piece and a good idea of important elements of the recording, I have realised that doing this would dramatically save time as we eliminate room for uncertainty as we are distracted from the disengaging and irrelevant portions of the recordings.

Other notable tips that I found helpful for future reference, especially for the last assignment for the semester, were:

• regularly save work (If I had a dollar for every time I lost unsaved work!)
• be more subtle and creative, rather than obvious and bland
• segment your content to give better flow and expression of information

I have been listening to a few podcasts lately, and out of all them, Guardian Science Weekly is reflective of some of the elements (structure of content, use of music and interviews) presented in Kyla’s talk.

link: https://soundcloud.com/guardianscienceweekly/science-weekly-can-we-cure

https://soundcloud.com/guardianscienceweekly/science-weekly-can-we-cure

So this week we focussed on the idea of bringing everyone together and work together on the same project, otherwise known as the magical word: collaboration! Yes collaboration in media is the back bone, the foundation, the vital aspect and a billion different other things. What is most important that as our media production becomes higher, ideas become more elaborate and our way of thinking is more complex, there is a likelihood that the means to collaborate is necessary. Working as a team and collaborating ideas and providing talent will make media production more efficient and effective. The resulting product will be more refined and well executed. These are just some the initial thoughts that I wanted to express when I hear the word: ‘collaboration’. Indeed this concept is a beautiful thing in my eyes! as Helen Keller would agree:

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”

This quote is really reflective of what I have experienced in the past. At the start it was hard to put my ego to a side and make an effort to make work as a group, and not see this as a disturbance in my own creativity. Slowly I began to realise the power in team work and the result is usually so much better than you would expect. This is why having the ability to be a team player is so vital to employment and future prospects, which is heavily highlighted in Dr Rachel Wilson’s talk on collaboration. In addition, she continues on to educate the class on how to succeed in forming a positive collaboration, which has elements of:

• respect
• consistency
• clear objectives
• good communications
• support
• equitable

Film set of MGM’s ‘The Next Voice You Hear’, (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

link: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/df/2c/39/df2c3977ac5096f6d29063f78a1e5c50.jpg

This timeless photo capturing a Hollywood film set of the 20th century is a great representation of collaborative work. The grand number of people show in this image, would indicate plenty of different roles each person had at the time. Everyone would of had indirect and direct jobs that contributed to the making of the film.