Self-Reflection.wps

Section 1 Due to this project I learned many things about mass media. The media is unavoidable no matter where a person goes. Every item and product, from cereal to clothing, is an advertisement for something else. There are many forms of mass media surrounding us such as, television, radio, internet, magazines, and billboards. The messages that a person is exposed to are determined by what producers feel audiences want to see. What will get them the most ratings? More importantly, how can they make more money? Everyday the news channels report more on celebrity gossip then they do on terrorism, the economy and whatever else might affect a person’s day to day life. Those should be the top focus not which celeb got drunk where. If something can bring in money it will be advertised to the point of excess. It will be shown until most people become sick of it yet they will most likely go out and buy or do whatever it was that was being advertised. My perception of mass media has changed slightly. I still enjoy reading and hearing about the lives of the “beautiful people,” but I’m more aware of the fact that they aren’t always so beautiful. The actions of the famous, and reality television are almost always exaggerated. How else would people continue to obsess about them? Cable companies report on what they think is entertainment not necessarily what is true. They would rather be rich than informative. The media is more exciting than real life, but it is hardly realistic. I learned to try to be more aware of if I’m watching the truth or someone’s creativity at work.

Section 2 The process of making the documentary entailed many actions and ideas. Each action was done in a precise yet creative manner. The introduction section of “Becoming The Media” required special attention in order for the images and the voice over to flow together smoothly and coherently. Viewers needed to be pulled in and entertained while gaining more knowledge about the media that affects the lives of every person in one way or another. The intro needed to inform the audience that the many companies and products they enjoy are all owned by one of six major corporations such as Disney and Viacom. Throughout the creation of this documentary I really did not do much of anything. I looked for many images that were needed to make this section work, but that was pretty much the only role I had. I was not comfortable using Premier therefore making me unable to help in the most crucial way. The voice over was covered by members of the group as was the computer work. I should have contributed to my group much more than I did. I did what was asked of me, but I did not go any further than that. The other group members worked very hard and diligently and went above and beyond to get this section finished. One issue that arose was constructing the part with the big six. At the start each company was going to be shown and described but after about five of the companies were created, the direction of that part changed. It went from the original six to three different arrangements that needed to be constructed in a short time frame. This led to a lot of frustration within the group. There was anxiety that the first section would not be done on time but it was. Working in a group is an important aspect of learning and growing. Having the ideas of one individual may be fine but using those of many different people is even better. Each member should contribute to make the “project” the best it can be.

Section 3 Although I did not participate in the making of the documentary as much as I should have, I did improve on a few skills. Making this documentary required the use of many different skills. Each skill helped improve the process that the groups went through to get their sections finished. Listening was the one major skill that I used during this process. When someone had an idea I didn’t interrupt. They were able to speak what was on their mind, however I didn’t contribute anything of my own. The ideas my group had were pretty thought out and they seemed to be expressed well enough. Another skill I used was self-management. After being shown how to use Premier I knew I would not be able to use it. I would have just completely messed up the work that was already done. Even if someone explained the program to me again I still would not have remembered how to use it. Trying to use the program that I knew would be near impossible for me would have wasted so much needed work time. I knew that the easiest thing I could do for the group was to research and look up the images that were needed. There are many skills that I need to improve on, such as speaking. Even though I liked and agreed with what the people in my group thought, I should have tried to make some kind of an effort to contribute something. I couldn’t think of any ideas to improve on or extend on what had already come up. I need to improve upon my social skills. In the beginning I asked people in my group what I should do that I could handle. At the time there wasn’t any need for me to do much. However the next time I didn’t even bother asking. I just waited for someone to tell me what to do. I shouldn’t have waited. I should have already been doing something. I should have known what needed to be done but it seemed like everything was being taken care of. I know I should have given the group a lot more, but I did what I thought I could.