MI2: Self assessed/Peer moderated contribution and participation

In our first meeting we sorted out our roles in the group pretty easily, and I took up a position in the facilitation team along with Alex and Jenny. Our roles consisted primarily of searching for and inviting the appropriate media professionals, who represent the different and pivotal areas of the television industry, to the event. We were also tasked with organising the facilitation of activity during the actual seminar, such as guiding the guest speakers and attendees to the location and making sure that everything was in order.

 

In order to accomplish the first stage of the process, I sent out multiple emails to several media contacts in the industry and managed to secure Brett Sleigh from the programming and commissioning team at the SBS channel. Although an unfortunate last minute work emergency prevented his showing up at our seminar, he was still eager to help out in other ways. This meant that we had to quickly alter the seminar timeline and extend the interview time for the other three guests to accommodate the change.

 

On the day of the seminar, I assisted in the logistical aspects of arranging our props and refreshments for the attendees present, acted as timekeeper for the production and helped out in other general areas where needed.

 

My contribution to the seminar can also be measured through the idea generation (points to cover during the interviews, questions to ask the guests, breaking down of the seminar plan and timeline, etc) during the group meetings and massive email chains our group members were sending out, which proved very useful and efficient. I was present at every face-to-face group meeting but one (during the week I was unwell), and our group worked well together effectively brainstorming and accepting ideas from everyone, creating a good and cohesive working environment for us all.

 

The process of organising this seminar proved to be educational as it allowed me to deepen my understanding of how the television industry functions both in the Australian and global markets. The guests that we invited were very engaging and precise with they responses. Being able to speak to executive producer Ron Brown during the coffee break helped me understand the trials and tribulations one has to go through before succeeding in the business. He provided insight into his beginnings in the Australian market before transitioning into the global markets as well. Even though SBS programmer Brett Sleigh couldn’t make it to the seminar, he has agreed to do an interview for my Personal Networking Report. I am looking forward to learning more about the programming and commissioning aspects for an Australian broadcaster.

 

I’ve previously worked in the programming department for MediaCorp TV (Channel 5), the official free-to-air broadcaster for Singapore and have gained some knowledge about the process. This interview with Brett however, will give me more information on what criteria a community-focused network such as SBS takes into consideration when choosing programmes to commission, in comparison to commercially driven entertainment networks such as MediaCorp TV (Channel 5).

 

In conclusion, I reckon our group seminar went well and was executed smoothly. We started with big goals and aimed high (with Alex aspiring to get guests like Rove Mcmanus), keeping a positive attitude throughout the planning process and methodically altered our plans when problems arose, but always sticking with the same strategy of trying for the best results and producing a unique, never-before-seen-or-done seminar/talk show that was highly relevant to our topic and focus of the Television industry.

(584 words)

Grade:

88% (HD)