In this week’s Media 1 tutorial we were put into groups to create a short interview using the Sony MC50 video camera. Below is the edited video from this group task. However I did export the video in the wrong format unfortunately and that’s why it gives off a wide screen frame illusion hahaha. Also the free copyright song is found on Royalty free music.
Nakita xx
So for this week’s initiative post, I’ve decided to share my current thoughts. At the moment I’ve been thinking about our PB3 and the generating ideas for this doco. I was thinking about making my subject Xavier Romanin-Green (my boyfriend) as he’s someone I’m obviously close with whose happy to help out and will be easy to work with. He also has some interesting stories from his past displaying conflict he’s had to deal with and how it changed him, which I think would be interesting to capture on camera and for the audience also. I want to have videos overlaying the audio, that aesthetically encapture or communicate what he is saying. I want my opening shot to be an extreme close up of his eyes.
Nakita xx
In todays media 1 lecture we discussed a more in depth guide to interviewing from a professional and Brian introduced ideas of storytelling with an emphasis on narrative.
Louise Turley who works on the ABC team producing the series BackRoads, came to visit us today in order to give insight on interviewing through her perspective as a professional interviewer. She started her speech introducing the 5 w’s (who, what, when, where and why) saying that this is your guiding point when it comes to creating docos. When choosing your ‘talent’ (interviewee) make sure you know they have something to say and make sure they can deliver on camera. When it comes to the interview, make sure it is given at equal eye level, construct a research interview, record and take notes, ASK SHORT QUESTIONS (which are open-ended no closed-ended questions or leading questions should be asked), find the appropriate location and tried the ‘talent’ on clothing etc. Lastly she enforced to evaluate yourself at then end of the interview.
Brian described that in Narrative these are the key elements of storytelling:
Shown through a video clip of what makes a film in Adaptation (2002) during the Robert McKee talk.
Character is a major aspect and can compel the drama through conflict.There can be an antagonist and a protagonist. However in film Mistaken for Strangers (2013) the director is featured as the anti-hero and his brother the protagonist and conflict is caused through their differences not necessarily that one is the antagonist.
When it comes to structure a film normally follows the three act narrative structure (4th optional):
Through Brian’s discussion on story-telling it links to Louise’s ideas of interviewing. Showing that the process of story-telling can help aid the editing of the doco and the ideas behind constructing interview questions.
Nakita xx
What is missing in the journey you took with the documentation process?
What I thought was missing was probably media attached to my blog posts specifically about what I had watched, what I had listened to etc. Also I probably should of gone into more detail about public VS private media and how this conception affects my approaches on media.
What do you need to develop?
I need to develop my understanding of my media consumption and referring it to different readings. Therefore investigate which readings can further provide evidence to my key essay statement. Also develop and explore in more depth the difference between authoring, consuming, curating, contributing/ distributing and how this affects my media usage.
Is your writing critical enough?
I think my analysis of my media consumption is written critically however I need to explore and refer it to other peoples opinions on media through readings or other peoples blogs and also go into more detail about certain areas I didn’t explain or explore than much on in the blog post.
What ideas, propositions or arguments are starting to appear in your evaluation?
The main ideas I can see in my analysis is that media is often consumed than it is curated, authored or contributed/distributed. It is often consumed not as a need but as a want to escape boredom or to follow the social norm. That media often is thought of as ‘change’ and ‘new media’ but is often used to benefit oneself than to benefit others. Also that authoring your own media content isn’t a common trend and is often neglected by individuals as a fear or have to.
What could your essay focus on in your evaluation?
My essay could focus on ‘Media is more often than not consumed for the sake of consuming than it is produced’.
Nakita xx
Through my media consumption weekly blog posts and previous readings throughout this course. I’ve come to many different conclusions about how I use media and now I’m going to question these conclusions through exploration.
I’ve learnt through my documentation of media consumption that I generally used media as a form of consume just because it was there to consume. For example every morning I would scroll through my Facebook and Instagram newsfeed like it was the newspaper. Viewing these posts like a daily chore, a need to consume it to see what was happening, to keep up to date with others or because I was generally bored and it gave me something to do. I’d go on Soundcloud and listen to music whenever I was out walking in public so that way I wouldn’t look socially awkward around others in public, like I looked like I was busy and had something to do. So I used it as a way to evoke this image and once again I was bored just walking and needed something in the background as a form of entertainment.
2. Media is more often consumed than it is produced.
Linking back to what I was saying previously. I was often describing all the media I had consumed for the day. When I got to the end of my blog post as I listed if I had either authored, curated, contributed/ distributed or consumed, I found that my list for consumed media was a lot longer than authoring. Most of the time the only thing I authored in a day was blog posts for university work which is more of a have to produce rather than going out of my way to produce new media and contribute to the rest of society.
3. Does Media still follow technological determinism
This also relates back to what I have been speaking about in the last two conclusions. However touches on the reading ‘Theoretical Frameworks’ and more in depth on the topic ‘Technological determinism’. I wonder if this idea of media used to progress society can be seen as accurate. As from what I’ve learned I didn’t contribute much into society through my use of media however I just used it because it was there. I can see how some media can produce a ‘cultural shock’ and contains a lot of ‘potential’ and ‘possibilities’. However I don’t believe this can be related to every individual and sometimes media is just consumed rather than producing huge milestones for society.
So those are the conclusions I’ve made from my media consumption.
Nakita xx
Throughout my weekly analysis of my media consumption. I went about it by initially listing the all the media I had used throughout the day. Explaining which types of platforms I went on, why I went on these platforms and how I got onto these platforms. This way the viewer of my blog could have a clear understanding of the my media consumption journey and see what type of user I am before I went into more specific detail about exactly how I use media, the ideas of public vs private media and did I author, curate etc. So after my speil I described why I used media such as to communicate with others, to escape boredom through entertainment, to do university work, to find things etc. Giving the reading a deeper visual into my media usage and gives them an opportunity to relate or to learn. I then discuss all the different mediums I consume such as Soundcloud, Instagram, Snapchat etc. So not only does the reader read about all the different types I’ve used throughout the day but now sees a clear list, which gives an easier visual for them to judge how much I consume through all the different platforms. I then list for the day what I consumed, authored, curated or distributed/contributed through media. Going into more depth for the reader to see how I would group my media usage as well as providing my opinion on whether each consumption was public or private. I believe it’s important to address whether the media you use is public or private, to demonstrate the clear difference to the reader and to make them realise that the approach to these consumptions is different depending on which category they fall under (private or public). Therefore through my research I was able to clearly list my media usage in a way the reader could identify the why, what and how aspect of the project. It also made it clearer to me about how I go about my day and the necessity of this usage or am I consuming it for the sake of consuming?
Nakita xx
Today marks the seventh day and last day of analysing my media consumption.
I started my day off with a big cup of coffee while watching VOGUE videos on Youtube. I then administered my daily routine of sending my streaks on Snapchat. As I did this I also checked and replied to messages on Messenger, Go through my Instagram and Facebook newsfeed while replying to tags with comments. Then I hopped into the shower and listened to my playlist on Soundcloud on my speaker.
After this I decided I needed to stop my chill sesh and actually get some real work done. I went on my laptop and started doing my readings for Media 1 found on the media factory website and on the home tab widget readings. I then wrote a blog post on my blog in the media one category about the reading. I also checked the assessment for Media 1 (PB3) on the media factory website on the home tab widget assessment to check to see what equipment I needed to shoot the assignment. I then checked my student emails on Gmail.
After I completed all my work, I walked down to my boyfriends house to visit the sick soul. I walked listening to my playlist on Soundcloud. When I got there I watched a movie with him on Youtube. I didn’t stay for that long though as I had to go to Work.
Work finished at 7pm. When I got home I made myself dinner and went on Pinterest as I ate. Looking through the Pins that had come up on my feed and pinning the pins I liked onto my own categorised boards on my account. Afterwards I got on my laptop again and wrote this blog post.
So that was all the media I had consumed for today. As you can see I used media in many different ways:
Using mediums such as:
Authored:
Curating:
Contributing/ Distributing:
Consuming:
I consumed and produced media today. I was both passive and active towards the media consumed. I contributed, authored, curated, distributed, publishing and consumed. Media consumption can also fall under public and private categories.
Nakita xx
In the media 1 Week 5 reading, ‘Conducting and Shooting Interviews’ educates me on the various approaches to the phases of creating a documentary.
Firstly a director/ interviewer functions as a catalyst on behalf of the audience and draws out the interviewees stories. To conduct an interview a research interview should initially take place and the notes written down from these about where to explore should later be transferred into probing questions on cue cards. A researcher can interview (prolong that ongoing relationship) or a director can interview (providing spontaneity or fresh approaches for the interviewee). Setting should be somewhere significant for the interviewee and take note of the presence of others off screen. Interviews can also be conducted in groups of Vox Pops (voice of the people). Make sure as a director to explore and ask the right questions e.g.. is there an antagonist or major conflict?
Common shots used in docos:
Before the interview tell the interviewee:
In this doco forming process there are various decisions to consider. An On-Axis Interview VS Off-Axis Interview. Do we edit out the interviewer? Avoid jumps and cutaways, questions should administer flow! Aim to elicit feelings and lead by example.
The Cons:
Lastly confront the emotional threshold and break new ground in the doco. Have authority and do not comfort when the interviewee gets emotional. Have authority and assess yourself afterwards. Make sure everyone involved is given payment and release forms are signed.
Nakita xx
Today marks the sixth day of analysing my media consumption.
I didn’t use much media today AGAIN so unfortunately don’t have much to talk about again!!! I woke up early again (sigh with rolled eyes) and listened to my playlist on Soundcloud as I got ready for mass and of course sent my snapchat streaks (same old, same old). After mass I went straight to work. I worked until 2pm.
When I got home from work I made myself a smoothie for lunch as I listened to my Soundcloud tunes on my speaker. Then as I drank my smoothie I watched some VOGUE Youtube videos and scrolled through Instagram and Facebook. I then made a care package for my boyfriend as he’s now very sick after last night 
I made a box full of his favourite foods, my favourite book I’ve been wanting him to read (Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier) and wrote him a list of things we are going to do together when he gets better (does this count as media?)I then walked to his house to deliver the package and I stayed for a bit and we watched a movie on Youtube together.
Then I went home and made dinner with the fam. Looking up a new salad idea on Pinterest. We cooked together while listening to Apple music. Then after dinner I read a magazine (SHOP), then I went on my laptop and typed up this blog post on my blog!
So that was all the media I had consumed for today. As you can see I used media in many different ways:
Using medians such as:
Authored:
Curating:
Consuming:
I consumed and produced media today. I was both passive and active towards the media consumed. I contributed, authored, curated, distributed, publishing and consumed. Media consumption can also fall under public and private categories.
Nakita xx
Today marks the fifth day of analysing my media consumption.
I didn’t use much media today compared to the other days because I was so busy.
I woke up bright and early at 8am. Sent my snapchat streaks (a bit earlier than usual hahaha) My boyfriend and his family picked me up at 8:30 am to take me to see his first footy game of the season. After this I was dropped off home and went straight to work until 5:30pm.
When I got home from work, I got ready for an 18th house party I had later that night. I ate my dinner while watching Gilmore girls clips on Youtube. Then as I showered, did my hair and makeup I listened to my Soundcloud playlist on my speaker. My boyfriend then came to my house and we ubered to the party together. But before we ubered we checked the party’s address on the Facebook event the birthday girl had created and we had been invited to.
When I got to the party I was surrounded with media. There were photographers taking pictures of everyone and there was also a DJ playing the bangers 
The hostesses family were also filming majority of the event on video recording cameras. Whereas the rest of the guests were taking Snapchats on their phones, myself included. I took a photo of the birthday girl with her cake and added this to my Snapchat story. As the party began to die down, my boyfriend was starting to get sick and tired, I wanted to get home to bed because I needed to sleep. So we left the party and ubered to my house and then my boyfriend went to his house.
As I got ready for bed I went on iTunes and into the iTunes store to listen to the new songs that were on the top chart. Then got on my laptop to quickly write up this blog post on my blog. Then went to bed (best feeling after a long day! )
So that was all the media I had consumed for today. As you can see I used media in many different ways:
Using medians such as:
Authored:
Curating:
Consuming:
I consumed and produced media today. I was both passive and active towards the media consumed. I contributed, authored, curated, distributed, publishing and consumed. Media consumption can also fall under public and private categories.
Nakita xx